This bill proposes the addition of a new section, 18-2-9b, to the Code of West Virginia, mandating that public high school students complete a computer science course before graduation, starting with the ninth-grade class of the 2027-2028 school year. The bill defines "computer science" and outlines that the course must meet state board standards, be offered in person when feasible, and can be taken for credit from grades eight through twelve. It also allows the computer science credit to substitute for half a math credit or half a personalized education plan credit, with the state board responsible for establishing rules to facilitate this flexibility.

Furthermore, the bill requires the state board to update computer science standards to include foundational concepts and to provide a list of approved course options by August 2026. It emphasizes the need for schools to develop teacher capacity to support the implementation of this requirement, including flexible licensing options for computer science teachers. The state board is also empowered to adopt additional rules as necessary to ensure effective administration of this new requirement.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-2-9b