HB 5412: Future Ready Education Act - West Virginia

hb5412 sfa grady _3 3-14 adopted.htm → hb5412 sfat grady _3 3-14 adopted.htm · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill's title was updated to reflect a comprehensive modernization of educational programs, including new provisions for technology contracts, expanded digital project resources, and specific requirements for science of reading training. The amendment also formally defines the criteria for when a county board may choose not to offer vocational agriculture programs.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a single amendment to a multi-faceted legislative package covering technology procurement, digital curriculum expansion, and reading instruction standards across K-12 grades.

TITLE

The bill title was changed from a specific amendment description to a broad summary covering technology modernization, digital project expansion, agriculture program viability, and reading training requirements.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements were added to mandate that all kindergarten through fifth-grade literacy teachers receive science of reading training by the 2028-2029 school year.

New provisions allow local fiscal bodies to enter multi-year contracts for technology licensing and require documentation of fiscal savings from these contracts.

DEFINITION

Clear criteria were established defining when a vocational agriculture program is considered 'not viable,' including factors like teacher availability, workforce needs, and funding.

ELIGIBILITY

The Mountain State Digital Project was expanded to include all grades K-12 and receive additional resources and curriculum features.

hb5412 sfa grady _1 3-13 adopted.htm → hb5412 sfa grady _3 3-14 adopted.htm · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill version was updated from a March 13 draft to a March 14 adopted version. The primary change is the addition of a new article establishing protections for vocational agriculture programs. This addition requires county boards of education to offer these programs to all students annually unless the program is deemed unviable based on specific criteria like teacher availability, workforce needs, funding, and facilities.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a new mandate for county boards of education regarding the provision of vocational agriculture programs.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement that county boards must offer vocational agriculture programs to all students yearly to ensure awareness and gauge interest.

ELIGIBILITY

Established specific conditions under which a county board may choose not to offer an agricultural program, defining 'viability' based on teacher access, workforce needs, student interest, funding, and facilities.

hb5412 hfa statler 3-4 _1 adopted.htm → hb5412 sfa grady _1 3-13 adopted.htm · 1 edit

MINOR

The amendment shifts the bill's focus from a specific date change to a significant reduction in legal obligation. Originally, Delegate Statler proposed changing a fiscal year deadline from 2027-2028 to 2026-2027. Senator Grady's amendment instead alters the mandatory language to optional language, changing a requirement ('shall') to a permission ('may'), which gives the relevant entity the discretion to choose whether to perform the action.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from imposing a strict mandatory timeline to allowing discretionary action.

REQUIREMENT

A mandatory requirement was changed to an optional permission, allowing the entity to decide whether to act rather than being forced to do so.

hb5412 s fin am _1 3-12 adopted.htm → hb5412 hfa statler 3-4 _1 adopted.htm · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to correct a date discrepancy in the Mountain State Digital Literacy Project timeline, changing the report deadline from 2027 to 2026. Additionally, the amendment removed the entire text of the original bill, replacing it with a new version that includes updated deadlines for teacher training in the Science of Reading, shifting the implementation and enrollment dates from 2028-2029 and 2027-2028 to 2026-2027 and 2025-2026 respectively.

Scope change

The bill's scope was significantly altered by replacing the full text of the original legislation with a revised version that adjusts implementation timelines for digital literacy and teacher training programs.

TIMELINE

The deadline for the state board to submit a report on the Mountain State Digital Literacy Project was moved earlier from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2026.

The deadline for kindergarten through fifth grade teachers to complete Science of Reading training was accelerated from the 2028-2029 school year to the 2026-2027 school year.

The enrollment deadline for currently employed teachers to begin Science of Reading training was moved up from the 2027-2028 school year to the 2025-2026 school year.

Committee Substitute for the Committee Substitute → hb5412 s fin am _1 3-12 adopted.htm · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to streamline the rules for local school districts to sign multi-year contracts for educational technology, removing specific requirements for cancellation clauses and documentation of savings. Additionally, the bill expanded the 'Mountain State Digital Literacy Project' to include grades 9-12 and added new mandates for science of reading training for elementary teachers, though the adoption status of these new teacher training provisions is currently listed as 'Rejected' in the provided text.

Scope change

The scope of the digital literacy project was expanded from grades K-8 to include grades 9-12, and new requirements were added for elementary teacher training in the science of reading.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for multi-year educational contracts to include a cancellation clause allowing termination with 30 days' notice.

Removed the specific requirement for local fiscal bodies to maintain documentation proving material fiscal savings before entering multi-year technology contracts.

Added a new section requiring all kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers to receive intensive training in the science of reading by the 2028-2029 school year.

SCOPE

Extended the Mountain State Digital Literacy Project to include students in grades 9 through 12.

TIMELINE

Adjusted reporting deadlines for the digital literacy project, moving the initial report deadline to January 1, 2027, and the evaluation deadline to January 1, 2028.

Committee Substitute → Committee Substitute for the Committee Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to reflect its progression from a committee substitute to an engrossed version, removing references to the Education Committee and adding the Finance Committee as the origin. The text was updated to remove the repeal of an existing article regarding foundation allowances, indicating the bill now focuses solely on adding new sections rather than amending the entire article. Additionally, the specific funding amount for reading training was changed from a retained amount to a retained amount for allocation purposes, and the timeline for reporting was updated to 2027.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from amending and reenacting multiple sections of the Code of West Virginia to primarily adding a new section (§18A-3-13) and amending fewer existing sections, specifically removing the repeal of Article 9A.

TIMELINE

The reporting deadline for the Mountain State Digital Literacy Project was extended from January 1, 2020 to January 1, 2027.

FISCAL

The language regarding the $7,100,000 retention for reading training was modified to clarify that the funds are to be allocated under subsection (a) of the existing section.

SCOPE

The repeal of Article 9A and Section 18-9A-10 was removed, meaning the bill no longer amends the existing foundation allowance structure but only adds new provisions.

TECHNICAL

Committee and bill history references were updated to reflect the bill's status as an engrossed version originating in the Finance Committee.

Engrossed Committee Substitute for the Committee Substitute → Committee Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from an 'Engrossed Committee Substitute' to a 'Committee Substitute' and its summary was updated to reflect a new funding allocation. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a new section (§18A-3-13) that mandates intensive, multi-year training in the science of reading for all K-5 teachers, starting in the 2026-2027 school year. This new requirement is funded by authorizing the Department of Education to retain $7.1 million from the foundational allowance, a specific fiscal mechanism not present in the previous version.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a mandatory professional development program for elementary teachers, shifting from a general authorization for training to a specific requirement with defined timelines and funding sources.

FISCAL

Added a specific authorization for the Department of Education to retain $7,100,000 from the foundational allowance to fund the new reading training program.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section requiring all kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers to complete intensive, ongoing training in the science of reading by the 2027-2028 school year.

TIMELINE

Established specific enrollment deadlines for current teachers (by 2027-2028) and new teachers (in their first year of employment).

SUMMARY

Updated the bill summary to explicitly mention the $7.1 million retention and the specific training requirements for K-5 teachers.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document title from 'Engrossed Committee Substitute' to 'Committee Substitute' and updated the committee origin dates.

Introduced Version → Engrossed Committee Substitute for the Committee Substitute · 6 edits · Mar 14, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was amended to remove specific funding authorization for the Department of Education to retain $7.1 million for literacy training, shifting the focus to general training requirements. The Mountain State Digital Literacy Project was expanded to include grades 9-12 and added reading, mathematics, science, and career-technical education to its curriculum. A new section was added to mandate intensive science of reading training for elementary teachers starting in the 2026-2027 school year, with provisions for charter school participation.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a pilot project covering grades K-8 to include grades K-12, and a new training mandate was added for elementary school teachers.

FISCAL

Deleted the specific authorization for the Department of Education to retain $7,100,000 from the foundational allowance for the 2026-2027 school year to fund literacy training.

SCOPE

Extended the Mountain State Digital Literacy Project to include students in grades 9-12, whereas the original version only covered grades K-8.

Added reading, mathematics, science, and career-technical education to the list of subjects included in the Mountain State Digital Literacy Project curriculum.

REQUIREMENT

Created a new requirement for all kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers providing literacy instruction to receive intensive training in the science of reading by the 2026-2027 school year.

ELIGIBILITY

Explicitly allowed public charter school educators to voluntarily participate in the new science of reading training program.

TIMELINE

Added specific reporting deadlines for the state board to submit project reports and evaluations to the Governor and Legislative Oversight Committee.

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