BILL NUMBER: AB 1539	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Hagman

                        JANUARY 22, 2014

   An act to add Section 60605.4 to the Education Code, relating to
content standards.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1539, as introduced, Hagman. Content standards: computer
science.
   Existing law requires the State Board of Education to adopt
statewide academically rigorous content standards, pursuant to
recommendations of the Commission for the Establishment of Academic
Content and Performance Standards, in core curriculum areas.
   This bill would require the board to adopt computer science
content standards, pursuant to recommendations developed by a group
of computer science experts, that provide a framework for teaching
computer science education in grades 7 to 12, inclusive. The bill
would require the Superintendent, in consultation with the state
board, to convene that group of experts and ensure that the group
includes individuals from groups specified in this bill.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 60605.4 is added to the Education Code, to
read:
   60605.4.  (a) On or before July 1, 2015, the State Board of
Education shall adopt computer science standards, pursuant to
recommendations developed by a group of computer science experts,
that provide a framework for teaching computer science education in
grades 7 to 12, inclusive. The content standards shall include, but
not necessarily be limited to, standards for teaching coding. For
purposes of this section, "coding" is the process of converting a
program design into an accurate and detailed representation of that
program in a suitable language.
   (b) The Superintendent, in consultation with the state board,
shall convene the group of experts required in subdivision (a), and
shall ensure that the members of the group include, but are not
necessarily limited to, individuals who are, science teachers in
grades 7 to 12, inclusive, schoolsite principals, school district or
county office of education administrators, university professors, and
representatives of private sector business or industry.
   (c) The content standards may be used by school districts to
develop computer science programs and course assessments but are not
mandatory.