CS/HB 265 Summary

• Requires the Articulation Coordinating Committee to develop recommendations on computer science instruction in collaboration with industry stakeholders and parent advocates, with findings due to the Board of Governors, State Board of Education, and Legislature by December 31, 2018.

• Committee recommendations must identify high school computer science courses meeting State University System requirements, labor market skills needed, strategies to encourage underrepresented students, course sequences for postsecondary success, policy gaps, educator qualifications, and common definitions for computer science terminology.

• Requires the Commissioner of Education to include high school computer science courses in the Course Code Directory by June 30, 2018, and mandates school districts notify students if enrolled in courses satisfying mathematics or science admissions requirements.

• Requires the Department of Education to annually report enrollment numbers by district, identified qualifying courses, and the number of educators holding computer science certificates to the Board of Governors and Legislature.

• Directs the State Board of Education to develop strategies for recruiting qualified computer science teachers, updating educator certification requirements, providing professional development, and streamlining certification pathways.