Creates a computer science course requirement for graduation from high school; directs the department of education to design and implement such program.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
5296
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 7, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SOLAGES -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing a comput-
er science graduation requirement; and providing for the repeal of
certain provisions of such law relating thereto
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 817 to
2 read as follows:
3 § 817. Instruction in computer science. 1. Definitions. For the
4 purposes of this section, the following terms have the following mean-
5 ings:
6 a. "Computer science" means the study of computers and algorithmic
7 processes, including their principles, hardware and software designs,
8 implementation, and impact on society.
9 b. "Computer science course" means a course at the middle or high
10 school level that teaches computer science as a standalone implementa-
11 tion or, for middle school, embedded in other subjects.
12 2. Computer science graduation requirement. a. Students enrolled in
13 high school shall be required to complete one high school level computer
14 science course in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high
15 school.
16 b. The department shall adopt a list of approved computer science
17 courses no later than July first, two thousand twenty-six, which shall
18 be made publicly available on the department's website. Such courses
19 shall include instruction on computer science, including teaching
20 students how to use existing technologies and how to create new technol-
21 ogies. Such courses shall meet or exceed the high school standards and
22 curriculum requirements established by the respective school district.
23 Such courses shall be taken in middle or high school grades to meet the
24 requirements of this section.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08199-02-3
A. 5296 2
1 c. A computer science course offered by a public high school or public
2 charter school shall be offered in an in-person setting; provided that
3 such course shall be offered as a virtual or distance course option only
4 when a traditional classroom setting is not feasible, as determined by
5 the respective school district.
6 d. The computer science courses required by this section may addi-
7 tionally fulfill existing graduation requirements for a school district,
8 as determined by the board of education of such school district.
9 e. Beginning July first, two thousand twenty-seven and on or before
10 each first of July thereafter, each school district shall submit to the
11 department a report for the prior academic year which shall include, but
12 not be limited to, the following:
13 (i) The names and course codes of computer science courses offered in
14 each school, including course descriptions and which state computer
15 science standards are covered, to the extent such information is avail-
16 able; and
17 (ii) The number of computer science instructors at each school, disag-
18 gregated by:
19 (A) certification, if applicable;
20 (B) gender;
21 (C) race and ethnicity; and
22 (D) highest academic degree.
23 f. The department shall post publicly on its website on or before July
24 first, two thousand twenty-eight and on or before each first of July
25 thereafter the data received pursuant to paragraph e of this subdivi-
26 sion. The data received pursuant to subparagraph (ii) of paragraph h of
27 this subdivision shall be disaggregated by school. The department shall
28 publish a list of computer science course codes and names, including
29 course descriptions and which courses align to the state computer
30 science standards under this section.
31 g. (i) Beginning July first, two thousand twenty-six, a school
32 district may submit a signed notification to the department that certi-
33 fies a computer science course was not available for students enrolled
34 in such school district to fulfill the requirement of this section. If
35 such signed notification is submitted to the department, such require-
36 ment shall be waived for students enrolled in such school district.
37 (ii) The department shall maintain a list of the school districts that
38 submit signed notifications pursuant to subparagraph (i) of this para-
39 graph.
40 h. (i) Beginning July first, two thousand twenty-six, a student may
41 submit a waiver, which shall be developed by the department, to the
42 school district in which such student is enrolled in the event that such
43 student is unable to complete the computer science course requirement
44 for graduation under this section. If such waiver is submitted to a
45 school district, such requirement shall be waived for the student that
46 submitted such waiver. Each school district shall submit all such waiv-
47 ers received from students to the department.
48 (ii) The department shall annually publish the number of students who
49 submit waivers pursuant to subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.
50 3. State computer science supervisor position. The department shall
51 create a computer science supervisor position within the department.
52 Such computer science supervisor shall be appointed by the commissioner
53 and shall be responsible for effectuating the provisions of this section
54 within the department, including the development and implementation of
55 approved computer science education courses pursuant to this section.
A. 5296 3
1 § 2. Subdivision 4 of section 3004 of the education law is amended by
2 adding a new paragraph c to read as follows:
3 c. The commissioner shall ensure that teacher preparation instructions
4 on and after July first, two thousand twenty-eight, and any program of
5 teacher preparation leading to professional certification shall include
6 instruction in computer science and instruction in information technolo-
7 gy skills as applied to student learning and classroom instruction that
8 are grade-level and subject area appropriate and that:
9 (i) clarify the conceptual foundations of computer science;
10 (ii) teach research-based practices, including hands-on and inquiry-
11 based learning; and
12 (iii) are intended for existing teachers with or without prior expo-
13 sure to computer science.
14 § 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026; provided, however, that
15 paragraphs g and h of subdivision 2 of section 817 of the education law
16 as added by section one of this act shall expire and be deemed repealed
17 on July 1, 2030. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
18 repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
19 this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
20 on or before such effective date.
