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SB 1383

SS/SCS/SB 1383 - This act ends the current pilot program for agricultural education in elementary schools and authorizes the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to establish an ongoing agricultural education program beginning in the 2027-28 school year. DESE shall develop a process for public elementary schools to participate in such program, and the local school board for each participating school shall fully fund the program and may employ an agricultural education teacher. DESE shall collaborate with Missouri agricultural commodity groups to establish instructional models for the program, as provided in the act. DESE shall evaluate the success and impact of the agricultural education program and report the results of such evaluation on the DESE website. Provisions of state law requiring the State Board of Education to form a work group to develop academic performance standards shall not apply to the provisions of this act. This act is identical to provisions in SS/HCS/HBs 2097 & 1905 (2026) and in SS/SCS/HB 2896 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Barbara Washington

Missouri bill mandates all elementary schools implement statewide agricultural education program, raising funding and curriculum integration concerns.

H Calendar Senate Bills for Third Reading
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Bill Summary · SB 1383

Legislative bill overview

SB 1383 mandates implementation of an agricultural education pilot program across all elementary schools throughout Missouri. The bill expands what appears to be a previously limited or experimental program into a statewide requirement affecting every elementary school district.

Why is this important

Agricultural education introduces students to farming, food systems, and environmental stewardship at formative ages, potentially influencing career pathways and food literacy. However, this represents a significant unfunded mandate that requires curriculum integration and teacher training resources across thousands of schools with varying capacity and existing priorities.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanism unclear: No specified state funding source identified for program implementation, training, curriculum materials, and teacher qualifications across all districts
  • Curriculum crowding: Elementary schools already face pressure to meet literacy, numeracy, and standards-based testing requirements; mandatory additions reduce flexibility and instructional time
  • Rural vs. urban disparities: Implementation effectiveness likely varies significantly between agricultural communities with existing infrastructure and urban districts with limited agricultural relevance or facilities
  • Unfunded mandate concerns: Districts may face budget challenges absorbing new program costs without state reimbursement, potentially diverting funds from existing priorities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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