HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: HB 459 Education
SPONSOR(S): Giallombardo and others
TIED BILLS: None IDEN./SIM. BILLS: SB 1654
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Postsecondary Education & Workforce 13 Y, 0 N McDaniel Kiner
Subcommittee
2) Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee
3) Education & Employment Committee
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
Computer science, including computer coding and programming, is defined by Florida law as "the study of
computers and algorithmic processes, including their principles, hardware and software designs, applications,
and societal impact." Problem solving, such as computational thinking, understanding and recognizing
patterns, understanding and implementing sequencing, and understanding representation, or how computers
represent data, are all foundational skills for computer science learning.
At the secondary level, all Florida College System (FCS) institutions and state university systems (SUS)
require two credits of sequential foreign language instruction. A student must complete two consecutive years
of a foreign language course in order to be eligible for the Florida Bright Futures Program.
The bill requires high schools to provide computer science courses with enough rigor that two credits in such
courses and attainment of a related industry certification or technical certificate are equivalent to two credits of
sequential foreign language instruction. The bill requires FCS and SUS institutions to recognize these credits
as foreign language credits. The Commissioner's designated computer science courses, as well as computer
science courses taken toward earning the relevant industry certification or technical certificate, must be
included in the Course Code Directory.
The bill requires the Department of Education to include in the Bright Futures advertisement notification sent to
students, teachers, school leaders, parents, and certified school counselors a list of approved apprenticeship
programs, eligible postsecondary educational institutions, high-demand jobs and critical skill sets in the state,
and a wage breakdown of jobs in the state. Beginning with the student's first year of high school, this
notification must be sent.
The bill makes specific industry and career certificate pathway options, as well as designated apprenticeship
programs, eligible for a Florida Bright Futures student award in the 2023-24 academic year and thereafter.
The bill contains clarifying language that converts semester credit hours to equivalent clock hours for award
eligibility purposes. In addition, the bill provides retroactive authority for students to combine volunteer service
and paid work to meet the volunteer service or paid work requirement. Eligible paid work completed on or after
June 27, 2022 must be counted toward a student's total required paid work hours.
The bill has an indeterminate fiscal impact. See Fiscal Comments.
The bill has an effective date of July 1, 2023.
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
STORAGE NAME: h0459a.PEW
DATE: 3/22/2023
FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Present Situation
Computer Science Courses and Instruction
Florida law defines computer science as “the study of computers and algorithmic processes, including
their principles, hardware and software designs, applications, and their impact on society.” 1 Computer
science also includes computer coding and computer programming.
Foundational skills for computer science learning include problem solving, such as computational
thinking, understanding and recognizing patterns, understanding and implementing sequencing, and
understanding representation, meaning how computers represent data. 2 One application of these skills
is computational thinking, which refers to the thought processes involved in expressing solutions as
computational steps or algorithms that can be carried out by a computer. 3 Essentially, it is a problem-
solving process that designs solutions that capitalize on the power of computers. 4 Although typically
associated with computer science, computational thinking can be applied in the classroom setting
through lessons in core subject areas. For example, in English language arts, students may be asked
to analyze simple sentences and determine a framework for generating similar sentences, using
pattern recognition and problem solving skills.5
Public schools are required to provide students in grades K-12 opportunities for learning computer
science including computer coding and computer programming.6
Such opportunities may include:7
instruction on computer coding in elementary and middle school;
instruction to develop computer usage and digital literacy skills in middle school; and
courses in computer science, computer coding, and computer programming in high school,
including opportunities to earn industry certifications related to the courses.
Computer science courses must be offered to students in high school and middle school. 8 The Florida
Virtual School (FLVS) must offer computer science courses identified in the Course Code Directory. If a
school district does not offer an identified course, the district must provide students access to the
course through FLVS or through other means.9 There are 70 middle and high school computer science
courses currently identified in the Course Code Directory. 10
1 Section 1007.2616(1), F.S.
2 K-12 Computer Instruction Framework Steering Committee, K-12 Computer Instructional Framework , pgs. 183-198, available at
https://k12cs.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/K%E2%80%9312-Co mputer-Science-Framework.pdf (last visited Feb. 24, 2023).
3 Id. at 86.
4 Id.
5 Code.org, Computational Thinking Lesson Assessment, available at https://code.org/curriculum/course3/1/Assessment1-
CompThinking.pdf (last visited Feb. 1, 2023). If provided the following sentences: “The triangle has three sides.” and “The square has
four sides.” A student can determine a framework sentence of “The ____ has ____ sides.” This framework provides the student a basis
for describing additional shapes. Id.
6 Section 1007.2616(2)(a), F.S.
7 Id.
8 Id.
9 Section 1007.2616(3), F.S.
10 Florida Department of Education, Florida Course Code Directory Computer Science Course Information 2022-2023 (2023),
available at https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7746/urlt/2223Co mpSci.pdf (last visited Feb. 24, 2023).
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Foreign Language Requirement
All Florida College System (FCS) institutions and state universities require two credits of sequential
foreign language instruction at the secondary level.11 A student whose first language is not English is
exempt from this requirement if he or she demonstrates proficiency in his or her native language. The
foreign language requirement can be satisfied with two credits of American Sign Language. 12
The Board of Governors (BOG) of the State University System oversees the performance of state
university boards of trustees in the enforcement of laws, rules, and regulations. 13 The BOG provides
that a limited number of first-time-in-college, degree-seeking students who do not meet the foreign
language requirement may be admitted; however, these students must complete the foreign language
requirement prior to receiving their baccalaureate degree.14
Effect of Proposed Changes
Under the bill, high schools are required to offer computer science courses with sufficient rigor, such
that two credits in such courses and the attainment of a related industry certification or technical
certificate are equivalent to two credits of sequential foreign language instruction.
The bill specifies that FCS and SUS institutions must recognize the credits as foreign language credits.
The Course Code Directory must include computer science courses designated by the commissioner
and computer science courses taken to earn the relevant industry certification or technical certificate.
Present Situation
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
In 1997,15 the Florida Legislature created the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program (Bright
Futures Program), a lottery-funded scholarship program, to reward any Florida high school graduate
who merits recognition of high academic achievement and who enrolls in a degree program, certificate
program, or applied technology program at an eligible Florida public or private postsecondary education
institution.16
The Bright Futures Program consists of the following awards:
Florida Academic Scholarship (FAS);
Florida Medallion Scholarship (FMS);
Florida Gold Seal Career and Professional Education (CAPE) Scholarship; and
Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship(FGSV).17
Florida Academic Scholarship and Florida Medallion Scholarship
A Florida high school student who wishes to qualify for the Florida Academic Scholar (FAS) award or
the Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) award must graduate from a Florida public high school with a
standard high school diploma, graduate from a registered Florida Department of Education (DOE)
private high school, earn a general education diploma (GED), complete a home education program, or
graduate from a non-Florida high school as an eligible student.18
11 Section 1007.262, F.S., and BOG Regulation 6.002(1)(h).
12 Id.
13 Section 1008.322(1), F.S.
14 Board of Governor’s Regulation 6.002(1)(h)
15 Chapter 97-379, L.O.F.
16 Section 1009.53(1), F.S.
17 Section 1009.53(2), F.S.
18 2022-23 Bright Futures Student Handbook, Chapter 1: Initial Eligibility Requirements (Oct. 2022), at 2, available at
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter1.pdf. An out-of-state student may qualify for a Bright Futures
Scholarship if the student earned a high school diploma from a non -Florida school while living with a parent or guardian who is a
Florida resident and on military or public service assignment away from Florida during the student’s last y ear of high school. Florida
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A student must also meet the following initial eligibility requirements: 19
High School College
Scholarship 16 High School Course Weighted Entrance Volunteer Service
Type Credits20 Bright Futures Exams Service 22 Hours23
GPA (ACT/SAT)21
4 - English 2022-23
(three must include substantial Graduates
writing) 29/1330
100
FAS 24 3.50 100 hours
hours
4 - Mathematics 2023-24
(at or above the Algebra I level) Graduates
29/1340
3 - Natural Science
2022-23
(two must have substantial
Graduates
laboratory)
25/1210
FMS 25 3.00 75 hours 75 hours
3 - Social Science
2023-24
Graduates
2 - World Language
25/1210
(sequential, in same language)
A student who has demonstrated academic merit through a recognition program may be eligible for an
FAS or FMS award without having to meet one or more of the requirements identified in the table
above. These merit recognition programs include:26
National Merit Finalists and Scholars;
National Hispanic Scholars;
Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma;
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma;
AICE Curriculum; and
IB Curriculum.
An FAS award recipient is eligible for an award equal to the amount necessary to pay 100 percent of
tuition and applicable fees and an additional stipend for textbooks as specified in the General
Appropriations Act (GAA).27 An FMS award recipient is eligible for an award equal to the amount
necessary to pay 75 percent of tuition and fees,28 however, an eligible FMS recipient enrolled at a
Florida College System (FCS) institution is eligible for an award amount equal to the amount necessary
to pay 100 percent of tuition and fees.29
Department of Education, Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and the Out-Of-State Student (2022-23), at 2, available at
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFOOSGuide.pdf.
19 2022-23 Bright Futures Student Handbook, Chapter 1: Initial Eligibility Requirements (Oct., 2022), at 2, available at
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter1.pdf.
20 The required coursework aligns with the State University System admission requirements found in Florida Board of Governor’s
Regulation 6.002, Admission of Undergraduate First-Time-in-College, Degree-Seeking Freshmen, available at
https://www.flbog.edu/wp-content/uploads/6_002FINAL_FTIC_03252020.pdf.
21 Section 1009.531(6)(b)-(d), F.S. To ensure the required exam scores represent top student performance and are equivalent between
the ACT and SAT, the department determines the score for FAS as no lower than 89 th national percentile on the SAT, for FMS no
lower than 75th national percentile on the SAT, and the required ACT score must be made concordant. The department must publish
any changes to the exam requirements that apply to students graduating in the next 2 years.
22 Section 1009.534(1), F.S. (Flush-left provision at end of section). Beginning with a high school student graduating in the 2022-23
academic year and thereafter, 100 hours may be in either volunteer work or paid work. Id.
23 Id.
24 Section 1009.534, F.S.
25 Section 1009.535, F.S.
26 Section 1009.534(1)(b)-(e), F.S.
27 Section 1009.534(2), F.S.
28 Section 1009.535(2), F.S. and BOG Regulation
29 Id. Beginning with the fall 2021 semester, an FMS who is enrolled in an associate degree program at an FCS institution is eligible
for the award.
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A student may receive an FAS or FMS award for a maximum of 100 percent of the number of credit
hours required to complete an associate degree, baccalaureate degree, or postsecondary career
certificate program.30
For the 2021-2022 academic year, a total of $396,650,804 dollars 31 were disbursed to 68,585
students 32 receiving an FAS award and $207,279,974 dollars 33 to 50,355 students 34 receiving an FMS
award.
Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship
A Florida high school student who wishes to qualify for the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship
(FGSV) award must meet the following initial eligibility requirements: 35
Achieve a minimum 3.0 weighted GPA in the non-elective high school courses.
Take at least three full credits in a single career and technical education program.
Achieve a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA in the career education courses.
Complete 30 service hours or 100 hours of paid work (beginning with 2022-2023 graduates).
Achieve the required minimum score on the ACT, SAT, or Florida Postsecondary Education
Readiness Test (P.E.R.T.) exams depicted in the table below:36
Exam Type Sub-test Required Score
ACT Reading 19
English 17
Mathematics 19
SAT Reading Test 24