summary
Introduced
02/10/2026
02/10/2026
In Committee
03/12/2026
03/12/2026
Crossed Over
03/04/2026
03/04/2026
Passed
Dead
03/14/2026
03/14/2026
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
A BILL to amend and reenact §11-8-26, and §18-2E-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend the code by adding a new section, designated §18A-3-13, all relating to facilitating the modernization of educational programs and technologies that can prepare students for future workforce needs; authorizing multi-year contracts by local fiscal bodies to procure educational materials with a technology licensing service component where it would result in material fiscal savings; requiring maintaining documentation regarding the fiscal savings from authorized multi-year contract; extending the Mountain State Digital Project to grades 9-12 and extending the program to include educational support and tutoring curriculum including in reading, mathematics, science, career-technical education; authorizing the Department of Education to develop and provide to kindergarten through fifth grade classroom teachers with training in the science of reading; providing that beginning in 2026-2027 school year, each kindergarten through fifth grade classroom teacher providing literacy instruction and intensive training in the science of reading; establishing training parameters and time frames; and allowing public charter school educators to voluntarily participate in the training.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the Future Ready Education Act, aims to modernize educational programs and technologies in West Virginia to better prepare students for future jobs. It allows local government bodies, referred to as "local fiscal bodies," to enter into multi-year contracts, up to five years, for educational materials that include technology services, provided these contracts result in significant cost savings and include a clause allowing cancellation with 30 days' notice. The bill also expands the "Mountain State Digital Project," a program providing digital literacy resources, to include grades 9-12 and adds educational support and tutoring in subjects like reading, math, science, and career-technical education. Furthermore, it mandates that beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, all kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers providing literacy instruction must receive intensive training in the "science of reading," which is the scientific understanding of how people learn to read, and this training will span multiple school years with practical application, with public charter school teachers having the option to participate.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Education
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Senate requests House to concur (on 03/14/2026)
Bill Topics
Education
- ‐ Education Excellence
- ‐ Elementary and Secondary Education
- ‐ Vocational Education
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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