The proposed bill amends the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 18-2-9b, which mandates that public high school students must earn at least one-half unit of credit in a computer science course before graduation, starting with the ninth-grade class of the 2027-2028 school year. The bill defines "computer science" as the study of computers, programming, and algorithms, explicitly excluding basic computer applications like keyboarding and digital literacy. The computer science course must meet or exceed standards set by the State Board of Education and should primarily be offered in a traditional classroom setting, with alternatives available if in-person instruction is not feasible.

Additionally, the bill outlines various requirements for the implementation of the computer science credit. It specifies that the credit can be earned in grades eight through twelve and allows the State Board to create rules that provide flexibility for students, including the possibility of a computer science course fulfilling math or science credit. The State Board is also tasked with updating computer science standards, providing a list of eligible course options, and ensuring schools have the necessary teacher capacity to support the program. The bill emphasizes the importance of foundational computer science concepts and allows the State Board to adopt further rules as needed for effective administration.

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