Senate Bill 2096

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A MANDATORY K-12 COMPUTER SCIENCE CURRICULUM WHICH INCLUDES INSTRUCTION IN COMPUTER CODING; TO PRESCRIBE MINIMUM COMPONENTS OF THE CURRICULUM; TO PROVIDE FOR TEACHER TRAINING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) The State Department of Education is authorized and directed to develop and implement a mandatory K-12 computer science curriculum which includes instruction in computer coding to be phased in, in all public schools beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, as provided in this section.

(2) Public schools shall provide students in Grades K-12 opportunities for learning computer science, including, but not limited to, computer coding and computer programming. Such opportunities may include coding instruction in elementary school and middle school, instruction to develop students' computer usage and digital literacy skills in middle school, and courses in computer science, computer coding, and computer programming in high school, including earning-related industry certifications.

(3) Elementary schools and middle schools may establish digital classrooms in which students are provided opportunities to improve digital literacy and competency; to learn digital skills, such as coding, multiple media presentation, and the manipulation of multiple digital graphic images; and to earn digital tool certificates and certifications and grade-appropriate, technology-related industry certifications.

(4) High schools may provide students opportunities to take computer science courses to satisfy high school graduation requirements, including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) High school computer science courses of sufficient rigor, as identified by the State Department of Education, such that one (1) credit in computer science and the earning of related industry certifications constitute the equivalent of up to one (1) of the mathematics requirement, with the exception of Algebra I or higher-level mathematics, or up to one (1) credit of the science requirement, with the exception of Biology I or higher-level science, for high school graduation. Computer science courses and technology-related industry certifications may be identified as eligible for meeting mathematics or science requirements for high school graduation.

(b) High school computer technology courses in 3D rapid prototype printing of sufficient rigor, as identified by the State Department of Education, such that one or more credits in such courses and related industry certifications earned may satisfy up to two (2) credits of mathematics required for high school graduation with the exception of Algebra I. Computer technology courses in 3D rapid prototype printing and related industry certifications may be identified as eligible for meeting mathematics requirements for high school graduation.

(5) The State Department of Education shall provide annual training for teachers and administrators in order to phase in the K-12 Computer Science Curriculum beginning in the 2018-2019 school year. The State Department of Education may contract with private and nonprofit providers for teacher training and for student instruction, and is encouraged to utilize available cost-free computer coding training and instruction. Teachers may receive computer coding training online.

(6) The State Board of Education is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the K-12 computer science curriculum established in this act.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2018.