JEFFERSON CITY (AP) – A Missouri lawmaker is writing a bill to allow accreditation of individual schools, rather than entire districts.

Versailles Republican Rep. David Wood says he plans to file the legislation in December. The measure would allow students in a failing school to transfer to better-performing buildings within their own district.

He says the legislation also would enable other schools to stay open if only a few buildings in a district perform poorly.

Currently, unaccredited school districts must pay tuition for students transferring to an accredited school districts, and that the receiving districts must accept those students.

A similar measure failed last session as part of a more expansive education package after a veto by Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.

Wood says his bill has a better chance of passing by itself.

Still, a Missouri School Boards’ Association spokesman says there might be challenges for districts with only one elementary, middle school or high school.

For a list of accredited school districts click here.