HI SB970

Establishes a program through the Department of Education to develop and implement teacher professional development for required computer science courses and content, working with eligible entities including local education agencies, charter organizations, and higher education institutions.

Funds shall support high-quality professional learning for K-12 computer science, teacher credentialing (CTE and academic supplemental endorsements), mentoring and coaching, resource creation, and student recruitment.

Requires eligible entities to submit applications demonstrating how they will reach teachers with minimal computer science background, use evidence-based practices, focus on computer science conceptual foundations, support underrepresented students, and ensure schools begin offering courses within the same or next school year after teacher training.

Prioritizes applications from local education agencies partnering with quality professional learning providers, proposals targeting enrollment of females, minorities, low-income students, students with disabilities, and English language learners, and applications from rural or urban areas with low computer science offerings.

Requires annual public reports tracking the number of teachers prepared, students reached, demographic diversity of students, advanced placement exam passage rates, and implementation rates among trained teachers.