The bill proposes to repeal the existing section 170.018 of Missouri law and replace it with a new section that focuses on the inclusion of computer science courses in school curricula. It defines a "computer science course" to encompass a range of topics including algorithmic processes, cybersecurity, social media training, and artificial intelligence. The bill mandates that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education develop a high school graduation policy allowing students to fulfill one unit of academic credit with a district-approved computer science course, while also ensuring that students are informed about potential impacts on college admissions. Additionally, it establishes a Computer Science Education Fund to support professional development for teachers in this field. Furthermore, the bill outlines requirements for public high schools and charter schools to offer at least one computer science course starting from the 2023-2024 school year. It includes provisions for the development of rigorous academic performance standards for computer science education, which will be implemented by the state board of education. New academic standards will also be introduced by the 2027-2028 school year, requiring students to complete a half-unit of academic credit in computer science before graduation. The bill emphasizes the importance of high-quality computer science education and the need for data collection on course offerings and student demographics to ensure equitable access to these courses.

Statutes affected:
Introduced (6915H.01): 170.018