S.B. 816 Summary

• Allows students to substitute computer science courses for science courses to satisfy high school graduation credit requirements beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.

• Requires all public high schools to mandate a computer science course credit as a graduation requirement beginning with the 2030-2031 school year, with provisions for schools to request a one-time two-year waiver.

• Appropriates $600,000 for fiscal year 2023-2024 and $600,000 for fiscal year 2024-2025 to the department of education for teacher professional development in computer science.

• Expands existing computer science course requirements by mandating all public elementary, middle, and intermediate schools offer computer science courses or content by the 2024-2025 school year.

• Requires annual reporting to the board and legislature on computer science courses, enrollment disaggregated by demographic categories, and information on computer science instructors.