FL S0468

Beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, high schools may offer computer coding courses that count as two credits of sequential foreign language instruction if students earn a related industry certification.

Florida College System institutions and state universities must recognize computer coding credits as foreign language credits, but students and parents must sign an acknowledgment that these credits may not meet out-of-state college and university foreign language requirements.

Computer coding courses identified by the commissioner shall be included in the Course Code Directory, and the Florida Virtual School may offer these courses to students if school districts do not provide them.

The Department of Education must annually report to the Board of Governors and the Legislature on courses meeting computer coding academic standards and enrollment numbers by district, including Florida Virtual School enrollment.

High schools are not required to offer computer coding courses under this bill.