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 this act. This act is identical to HCS/HBs 2097 & 1905 (2026).
OLIVIA SHANNON
Statutes affected: Introduced (4325S.01):
178.530Committee (4325S.02):
178.530
Senate Committee Minutes: SENATE COMMITTEE MINUTES Bill No.: SB 1383
Sponsor: Washington
Hearing Date: 2/17/2026
COMMITTEE: Education
CHAIRMAN: Brattin
DATE REFERRED: 1/27/2026 DATE HEARING REQUESTED:
STAFF:
Tom Estes
Heidi Osner
Olivia Shannon
WITNESSES GIVING INFORMATION:
WITNESSES FOR:
Ashley McCarty - Missouri Farmers Care Foundation
Mark Fiegenbarn - Missouri Farm Bureau
Otto Fajen - Missouri NEA
Ryan Gill - The Poultry Federation
Scott Swain - Missouri Soybean Association
Alayna Forck - Missouri Corn Growers Association
Megan Howerton - MO Pork Association
WITNESSES AGAINST: