This bill proposes the establishment of a partnership between Workforce West Virginia's Division of Workforce Development and the West Virginia State Board of Education to create an educational program focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), particularly in chemistry and related careers. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, the program will be implemented in phases, initially selecting ten high schools and technical schools for the first two years, after which it will be open to all interested schools in the state. The program aims to provide instructional resources and access to an interactive educational platform for both students and teachers, enhancing their training in STEM fields.

Funding for the program will be provided by the Department of Commerce, and the initiative is designed to align with existing digital literacy standards. Additionally, the State Board of Education is required to evaluate the program's effectiveness by January 1, 2027, assessing its impact on student performance and making recommendations regarding its future. The bill emphasizes the importance of this partnership in improving educational outcomes in STEM disciplines across West Virginia's high schools and technical schools.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 21A-12-1