West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia HB5478: Establish a statewide pilot program to improve kindergarten readiness.
Status: Introduced, February 12, 2026
What the bill says
To amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §18-2A-11, relating to the creation of the "Kindergarten Readiness Touchpad Pilot Program"; establishing a statewide pilot program to improve kindergarten readiness by providing preloaded early-learning touchpads to eligible preschool-aged children; assigning program administration; and requiring evaluation ARTICLE 2A. ADOPTION OF TEXTBOOKS, INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES. §18-2A-11. Kindergarten Readiness Touchpad Pilot Program. (a) This act shall be known and may be cited as th.
From the introduced text, February 12, 2026:
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §18-2A-11, relating to the creation of the "Kindergarten Readiness Touchpad Pilot Program"; establishing a statewide pilot program to improve kindergarten readiness by providing preloaded early-learning touchpads to eligible preschool-aged children; assigning program administration; and requiring evaluation ARTICLE 2A. ADOPTION OF TEXTBOOKS, INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES. §18-2A-11. Kindergarten Readiness Touchpad Pilot Program. (a) This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Kindergarten Readiness Touchpad Pilot Program". (b) The Legislature finds that: (1) Early literacy and numeracy skills developed before kindergarten are strongly associated with later academic success. (2) Many West Virginia children enter kindergarten lacking foundational readiness skills, and access to high-quality early learning resources varies by geography and income. (3) A simple, family-friendly learning tool that works without internet may help reduce opportunity gaps and support parents and caregivers as first teachers. (b) The purpose of this act is to establish a pilot program to distribute preloaded early-learning touchpads to eligible children and to evaluate impacts on kindergarten readiness indicators. (c) Definitions. - For purposes of this article: (1) "Department" means the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE). (2) "Pilot Program" means the Kindergarten Readiness Touchpad Pilot Program created by this article. (3) "Touchpad" means a durable, child-friendly …