This bill aims to establish 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. The program will be implemented in phases starting in the 2025-2026 school year, initially selecting 10 high schools and technical schools for participation. After two years, the program will be open to all interested schools in the state. The bill outlines that participating schools will receive instructional resources and access to an interactive educational platform designed to enhance STEM education.

Additionally, the bill mandates that funding for the program will be provided by the Department of Commerce, and it emphasizes the importance of aligning the program with existing digital literacy standards. An evaluation of the program's impact on student performance will be conducted by the state board and submitted to the Governor and the Legislative Oversight Committee on Education Accountability by January 1, 2027. This evaluation will include recommendations regarding the program's future, including potential continuation, expansion, or modifications based on the success of participating schools.

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