Bill Text: MS SB2586 | 2023 | Regular Session | Enrolled


Bill Title: Computer science curriculum; clarify terminology to specify who may provide instruction in.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2023-04-17 - Approved by Governor [SB2586 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2023-SB2586-Enrolled.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2023 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Senator(s) DeLano, Jackson

Senate Bill 2586

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-205, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF TERMINOLOGY RELATED TO THE OFFERING OF INSTRUCTION UNDER PROVISIONS OF THE "MISSISSIPPI COMPUTER SCIENCE AND CYBER EDUCATION EQUALITY ACT"; TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH INSTRUCTION MUST BE TAUGHT BY APPROPRIATELY ENDORSED TEACHERS FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE COURSES WHICH AWARD CARNEGIE UNITS, AND BY LICENSED TEACHERS OR PARAPROFESSIONALS WITH PROPER TRAINING IN COMPUTER SCIENCE INSTRUCTION WHO ARE UNDER THE GUIDANCE OR SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED TEACHER; TO INCLUDE IN THE DEFINITION SECTION OF THE ACT THE MEANING OF THE TERM PARAPROFESSIONAL; TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-211, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 37-13-205, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-13-205.  As used in Sections 37-13-201 through 37-13-213, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed in this section:

          (a)  "Computer science" means the study of computers, algorithmic processes, coding, and logical thinking, including computer principles, their hardware and software designs, their implementation and their impact on society.

          (b)  "Computer science courses" means high school and middle school courses that teach computer science as stand-alone implementations; and elementary curriculum that provides instruction in computer science as stand-alone implementations or embedded in other subjects and focuses on how to create and understand technology, rather than simply using technology.

          (c)  "Offer" means providing instruction * * * at the elementary level with licensed teachers, and at the high school and middle school level as a course taught by a computer science teacher with appropriately endorsed teachers, for any computer science course which awards a Carnegie unit.  At the elementary level, instruction may be offered by a licensed teacher or paraprofessional who is under the guidance or supervision of a licensed teacher, and who has received training for computer science instruction approved by the State Department of Education:

              (i)  Who is onsite at the physical location of the school; or

              (ii)  Who is not onsite at the physical location of the school but conducts the course through virtual means with a proctor onsite at the physical location of the school.

          (d)  "Paraprofessional" consists of school employees who support instructional delivery and are deemed to be qualified and have received the professional learning opportunities to perform the job functions associated with providing instruction.

     SECTION 2.  Section 37-13-211, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-13-211.  (1)  Subject to appropriations made by the Legislature, the State Department of Education shall provide annual training for teachers, counselors * * * and, administrators and paraprofessionals in order to phase in the K-12 computer science curriculum.  Preference should be given to districts who have the fewest number of teachers and paraprofessionals trained in computer science.  The State Department of Education shall work with the Center for Cyber Education at Mississippi State University to develop and coordinate * * * teacher the training.  The State Department of Education may contract with private and nonprofit providers for * * * teacher educator training and for student instruction, and is encouraged to utilize available cost-free computer training, instruction and resources.  Teachers and paraprofessionals may receive computer science instruction training through an online platform.

     (2)  The State Department of Education shall provide a report by January 1, 2022, to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee and the Chairman of the House Education Committee.  The report shall include a strategic plan for statewide computer science education initiatives including, but not limited to, the following:

              (i)  A summary of the current state landscape for K-12 computer science education;

              (ii)  A plan for expanding computer science education opportunities to every school in the state by the 2024-2025 school year;

              (iii)  A plan for the development of preservice and in-service teachers seeking a computer science endorsement or course specific license, in order to meet the timeline for course requirements;

              (iv)  The development of a vetted list of approved vendors in computer science education that are recognized as high quality computer science courses or instruction, which should weigh preference on cost and ease of implementation; and

              (v)  The identification of approved computer science courses that may fulfill at least four (4) units of academic credit for high school graduation.  The State Department of Education shall work with the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the Mississippi Community College Board to approve these courses once identified.

     ( * * *23)  The State Department of Education shall submit a report by December 31 of each year through 2025 to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee and the Chairman of the House Education Committee.  The report shall include a list of schools in each district teaching computer science and the number of computer science teachers trained in each district.

     SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.


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