No public school student shall be promoted to a higher grade level unless that student has a reading ability level at or above one grade level below the student's grade level; except that the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to students receiving special education services pursuant to sections* 162.670 to 162.999, RSMo.

(L. 1999 H.B. 889 § 9)

* Word "sections" does not appear in original rolls