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 that the required credit can be earned from grades eight through twelve and mandates the State Board to create rules that allow computer science courses to fulfill other graduation requirements, ensuring flexibility for students. If a computer science course is used to satisfy a math or science credit, it must be noted as such on the student's transcript. The State Board is also tasked with updating computer science standards, providing a list of eligible course options, and establishing rules to ensure schools have the necessary teacher capacity to implement this requirement effectively.

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