HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

503

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the importance of computer science cannot be overstated.  Computers have evolved to become a part of everyday life, and an introduction to computer science helps students better understand their digital world and become problem solvers of the future.

     The legislature further finds that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States will continue to be transformed by technological advancements rooted in computer programs and applications over the next ten years.  Consequently, computing-based occupations now make up more than half of all projected new jobs in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, commonly known as STEM fields.  In the last decade between 2010 and 2020, the number of computer science bachelor's degrees conferred more than doubled from 39,600 to 97,000, respectively, an increase of one hundred forty-five per cent.  This means that college graduates with computer science degrees have been, and will continue to be, in high demand among employers across the nation.

     Despite this trend, national survey and research results show a disparity between the demand for computer science education and its availability.  Although ninety per cent of parents want their children's schools to teach computer science, only fifty-three per cent of schools offer computer science courses.  Further, disparities in access and representation are pronounced among traditionally underrepresented groups.  For example, women make up just one-third of high school computer science students nationally.

     In 2018, the legislature found a similar disparity at the state level.  To address this, the legislature passed Act 51, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, which mandated that all public high schools offer at least one computer science course by the 2021-2022 school year.  In 2021, the legislature further expanded those computer science course requirements to elementary, middle, and intermediate schools by enacting Act 158, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021.  As a result, excluding "combo" schools, which are schools with combined grade bands, such as Lanai high and elementary school, one hundred per cent of public high schools now offer a foundational computer science course, exceeding the national average, and forty-two per cent of all public schools offer a computer science course.

     Despite the success in expanding access to computer science courses since 2018, the State has still fallen short on its enrollment goals for these courses.  According to the department of education's Annual Report on Computer Science Courses and Computer Science Content, published in November 2022, just fourteen per cent of unique students were enrolled in a computer science course, with sixteen per cent of those students comprising those in high school.  Notably, data isolating the percentage of high school students enrolled out of total high school students in the State was not provided by the report.  In sum, the legislature finds that promoting computer science education remains a statewide necessity.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require the board of education to:

          (A)  Work with the department of education to conduct an analysis on the need, impact, and feasibility of making computer science a graduation requirement;

          (B)  Based on its analysis, determine whether making computer science a graduation requirement would be in the best interests of public school students and the public; and

          (C)  Report to the legislature on its findings and recommendations; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds to the department of education for teacher professional development in computer science.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The board of education shall work with the department of education to analyze the need, impact, and feasibility of making computer science a graduation requirement.

     (b)  The board of education shall determine whether making computer science a graduation requirement would be in the best interests of public school students and the public, based on the analysis conducted pursuant to subsection (a).

     (c)  The board of education shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for teacher professional development in computer science.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

 

 

Report Title:

Computer Science; Board of Education; Department of Education; Graduation Requirements; Analysis; Report; Teacher Development; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Board of Education to work with the Department of Education to conduct an analysis on the need, impact, and feasibility of making computer science a graduation requirement.  Requires the Board of Education to determine whether making computer science a graduation requirement would be in the best interests of public school students and the public.  Requires a report to the Legislature.  Appropriates funds for teacher professional development in computer science.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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