Bill > SB1383

This bill authorizes the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to establish an agricultural education program for elementary schools, beginning in the 2027-28 school year, replacing a previous pilot program. The DESE will develop a process for public elementary schools to apply to participate, and any school that elects to join must fully fund and implement the program, potentially employing an agricultural education teacher. The DESE, in collaboration with Missouri agricultural groups, will create grade-appropriate instructional models that include classroom learning, hands-on activities, and leadership development. The department will also evaluate the program's success and report the results on its website, while maintaining a sufficient number of certified agricultural education employees to support program delivery and development statewide. Importantly, participation in this program is not mandatory for public elementary schools, and the bill clarifies that private schools can adopt DESE's agricultural education standards for vocational programming without receiving state or federal funding for it, though they must reimburse the department for oversight costs.