MS SB2768

Authorizes and directs the State Department of Education to implement a mandatory K-12 computer science curriculum based on Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards beginning with the 2019-2020 school year.

Requires public schools to provide students in grades K-12 learning opportunities in computational thinking, problem-solving, programming, cyber security, data science, robotics, and related content, with age-appropriate offerings at each level.

Elementary schools shall offer programming, robotics, digital citizenship and technology literacy; middle schools shall offer programming, cyber security, robotics and data science; high schools shall offer focused two- or three-year pathways in software development, cyber security and artificial intelligence with potential industry certifications and dual-credit options.

Directs the State Department of Education to provide annual teacher, counselor and administrator training beginning in the 2019-2020 school year, working with Mississippi State University's Center for Cyber Education to develop curriculum and coordinate training.

Authorizes the State Department of Education to contract with private and nonprofit providers for teacher training and student instruction, and encourages use of cost-free computer science resources; effective July 1, 2019.