Bill > HB1905

This bill transforms a pilot agricultural education program for elementary schools into a potential statewide program by extending the pilot program through the 2026-27 school year and allowing for full statewide implementation beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The bill removes previous language that limited the program to a minimum of sixteen public elementary schools and eliminated the requirement for detailed selection criteria, evaluation processes, and local school board agreements. Instead, it maintains a provision that requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to maintain full-time employees certified in agricultural education who will be distributed regionally to support program development, provide accountability, develop instructional models and standards, assist local school districts, and coordinate agricultural education activities. The bill also specifies that the standard requirements for educational programs (under section 160.514) do not apply to this agricultural education initiative, potentially providing more flexibility in program implementation. By making these changes, the bill appears to be moving toward establishing agricultural education as a more permanent and potentially universal component of elementary education in the state.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1905&year=2026&code=R