Creating successful careers through agricultural education

(a) Findings and intent. — The Legislature finds that through agricultural education students are provided opportunities for leadership development, personal growth, and career success in the science, business, and technology of agriculture. Quality agricultural education instruction is delivered through three major components of classroom and laboratory instruction, supervised agricultural experience programs, and student leadership organizations such as the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Organization. The Legislature further finds that opportunities to prepare for career success in the science, business, and technology of agriculture should be available to every West Virginia high school student. (b) To provide opportunities for all state high school students to prepare for successful careers in agriculture and related fields, beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, school districts and multicounty vocational centers are encouraged to make available agricultural programs to high school students, including, but not limited to, such programs that would allow for and support the establishment of a local FFA chapter. Upon the request of any district or multicounty vocational center that does not have an agricultural program, the State Department of Education shall assist the district or multicounty vocational center in establishing agricultural programs available to high school students in the district. To the extent that funding is the primary reason that an agricultural program is not established, the State Department of Education shall report the same to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability.