The bill amends Section 11-103.6 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes to enhance high school curriculum requirements by mandating the inclusion of computer science education. Starting with students entering the eighth grade in the 2026-2027 school year, they will be required to complete one unit of computer science or an industry-aligned Career and Technical Education course to graduate. The bill also allows computer science courses to count towards fulfilling other graduation requirements and requires the State Department of Education to establish rules regarding emerging computer science technologies.
In addition to these requirements, the bill introduces new legal language that mandates instruction in the foundations of computer science and is approved by the State Board of Education to meet this requirement. It emphasizes the importance of career and technology education while providing flexibility in course selection to align with students' Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAP). The legislation aims to better prepare students for postsecondary education and the workforce by integrating essential technology skills into their education. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.