Amended in Assembly May 27, 2016

Amended in Assembly April 13, 2016

Amended in Assembly March 28, 2016

California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 2329

Introduced by Assembly Member Bonilla

(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Chiu)

(Coauthors: Assembly Members begin insert Travis  end insert begin insert Allen, Calderon, end insert Chang, Dababneh, begin insert Gonzalez, Kim, Lackey, end insert Low, begin insert Obernolte, end insert and Olsen)

February 18, 2016

An act to add and repeal Chapter 19 (commencing with Section 53310) of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, relating to school curriculum.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 2329, as amended, Bonilla. Computer science strategic implementation plan.

Existing law requires the Instructional Quality Commission, on or before July 31, 2019, to consider developing and recommending to the State Board of Education computer science content standards for kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, pursuant to recommendations developed by a group of computer science experts convened by the Superintendent of Public Instruction in consultation with the state board.

This bill would require the begin delete State Department of Education end delete begin insert Superintendent end insert to begin delete establish, end delete begin insert convene, end insert on or before begin delete July end delete begin insert September end insert 1, 2017, a computer science strategic implementation advisory begin delete board, end delete begin insert panel end insert composed of 20 members, as specified, begin delete to report necessary legislative changes related to computer science education to the department and the state board on or before January 1, 2018, and end delete to begin insert develop and end insert submit recommendations for a computer science strategic implementation plan to the begin delete department and end delete begin insert State Department of Education, end insert the state begin delete board end delete begin insert board, and the Legislature end insert on or before begin delete March end delete begin insert July end insert 1, 2018. The bill would require the department and the state board to consider the advisory begin delete board’s recommendations and the recommendations of the commission specified above, end delete begin insert panel’s recommendations, end insert to develop and adopt a computer science strategic implementation plan, and to submit the plan to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2019. begin insert The bill would require the Superintendent to appoint a statewide computer science liaison to serve the advisory panel, as provided. The bill would authorize the advisory panel, if state or federal funds are not available or sufficient for purposes of the bill’s provisions, to evaluate the process and ability to accept grants and receive donations and other financial support from public or private sources for purposes of convening the advisory panel, preparing the computer science strategic implementation plan, and ensuring that the recommendations are considered by the appropriate stakeholders. end insert The bill’s provisions would be repealed on January 1, 2021.

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.  

(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:

(1) Computer science education is not only about access to
computers. It is about innovation and development of technology.
Computer science education builds pupils’ computational and
critical thinking skills, which enables them to create, and not simply
use, the next generation of technological tools. This fundamental
knowledge is needed to prepare pupils for the 21st century
regardless of their ultimate field of study or occupation.

(2) Computer science drives job creation and innovation
throughout our state’s economy. Providing access to computer
science education is a critical step for ensuring that California
remains competitive in the global economy and strengthens its
cybersecurity. Last year, there were over 600,000 technology jobs
open across the United States, and, by 2018, 51 percent of all
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) jobs
are projected to be in computer science-related fields. In California,
there are currently 86,436 open computing jobs, which is four
times the average demand rate in California.

(3) Computing occupations make up two-thirds of all projected
new jobs in STEM fields, making computer science one of the
most in-demand college degrees. However, California only had
3,525 computer science graduates in 2014 with only 15 percent
female graduates.

(4) There are fewer advanced placement (AP) examinations
taken in computer science than in any other STEM subject area.
Of the high school pupils in California who took the AP computer
science examination in 2015, only 26 percent were female, only
973 were Latino, and only 148 were African American. Only 242
schools in California, or 16 percent of California schools with AP
programs, offered the AP computer science course in the 2013-14
school year.

(5) President Obama’s Computer Science for All initiative builds
on the momentum at the state and local level. The President’s
upcoming budget proposes funding for the United States
Department of Education, available over three years, for states to
increase access to computer science education in elementary and
secondary education classrooms. Under the program, states would
submit comprehensive five-year “Computer Science for All” plans
in order to be eligible for federal funding, and every state with a
well-designed strategy would receive funds. In addition to
state-level grants, the budget will also dedicate funds for
competitive grants specifically for leading districts to execute
ambitious computer science education expansion efforts for all
pupils, including traditionally underrepresented pupils, with those
efforts to serve as models for national replication.

(6) However, access to computer science education for all pupils
is still a challenge especially for underrepresented communities.
Only one out of four K-12 schools teaches any computer science,
leaving 75 percent of pupils today without the opportunity to
develop skills that could help them thrive in the future.

(7) Exposure to computer science at a young age has the
potential to address the diversity gap in computer science fields.
Girls who take AP computer science in high school are 10 times
more likely to major in computer science in college. African
American and Latino pupils who take this course in high school
are over seven times more likely to major in this field.

(8) A Google-Gallup survey found that 9 out of 10 parents say
they want computer science taught in their schools, and the
majority of parents and teachers believe it should be required
learning for 21st century pupils.

(9) Computer science has often been confused with broader
technology education in schools. California should adopt distinct
standards for computer science focused on both the creation and
use of software and computing technologies at all levels of K-12
education.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that all pupils in
kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, have access to computer
science education, with a strong focus on pupils underrepresented
in computer science, including girls, low-income and underserved
school districts, and rural and urban school districts.

begin insert

(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that the only predetermined
outcome be to increase access to computer science in California
schools and to account for disparate views as recommendations
are provided.

end insert

SEC. 2.  

Chapter 19 (commencing with Section 53310) is added
to Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, to read:

 

Chapter  19. Computer Science Strategic Implementation
Plan

 

53310.  

On or before begin delete July end delete begin insert September end insert 1, 2017, begin insert the Superintendent
shall convene end insert a computer science strategic implementation advisory
begin delete board shall be established by the department end delete begin insert panel end insert to develop
recommendations for a computer science strategic implementation
plan. begin insert The advisory panel shall hold public meetings, post the
location and time of the meetings, and post agendas online.
Members of the advisory panel shall possess expertise in computer
science. end insert The advisory begin delete board shall be comprised of end delete begin insert panel shall
consist of, but not necessarily be limited to, end insert the following members:

begin insert

(a) The Superintendent or his or her designee, who shall serve
as the cochair of the advisory panel.

end insert begin delete

(a)

end delete

begin insert (b) end insert  A representative begin delete appointed by end delete begin insert of end insert the Governor, who shall
serve as the begin delete chair end delete begin insert cochair end insert of the advisory begin delete board. end delete begin insert panel. end insert

begin delete

(b)

end delete

begin insert (c) end insert  A representative begin delete appointed end delete begin insert designated end insert by the Senate
Committee on Rules.

begin delete

(c)

end delete

begin insert (d) end insert  A representative begin delete appointed end delete begin insert designated end insert by the Speaker of the
Assembly.

begin delete

(d) A representative representing the Superintendent.

end delete begin delete

(e) A representative representing the state board.

end delete begin delete

(f) A representative representing a K-12 teacher or faculty
association, appointed by the Governor.

end delete begin insert

(e) (1) Three K-12 teacher representatives, designated by the
Superintendent.

end insert begin insert

(2) It is the intent of the Legislature that these representatives
include one elementary teacher, one middle school teacher, and
one high school teacher.

end insert begin insert

(3) It is further the intent of the Legislature that these
representatives include one teacher from a large urban school
district and one from a rural school district.

end insert begin delete

(g)

end delete

begin insert (f) end insert  A representative representing the Commission on Teacher
Credentialing.

begin delete

(h)

end delete

begin insert (g) end insert  A representative representing the Computer Science Teachers
Association.

begin delete

(i) A representative representing a large urban school district,
appointed by the Governor.

end delete begin delete

(j) A representative representing a rural school district, appointed
by the Governor.

end delete begin delete

(k)

end delete

begin insert (h) end insert  A representative of the private sector technology industry,

begin delete appointed by the Governor. end delete begin insert designated by the Superintendent. end insert

begin delete

(l)

end delete

begin insert (i) end insert  A representative from the University of California.

begin delete

(m)

end delete

begin insert (j) end insert  A representative from the California State University.

begin delete

(n)

end delete

begin insert (k) end insert  A representative from the California Community Colleges.

begin insert

(l) A representative from a private postsecondary educational
institution, designated by the Superintendent.

end insert begin delete

(o)

end delete

begin insert (m) end insert  A representative from the Instructional Quality Commission.

begin delete

(p)

end delete

begin insert (n) end insert  A representative from a computer science/STEM education
and research program, begin delete appointed by the Governor. end delete begin insert designated by
the Superintendent. end insert

begin delete

(q) A representative from a nonprofit student/school advocacy
organization, appointed by the Governor.

end delete begin delete

(r)

end delete

begin insert (o) end insert  A representative from a parent organization, begin delete appointed by
the Governor. end delete begin insert designated by the Superintendent. end insert

begin delete

(s)

end delete

begin insert (p) end insert  A representative representing school administrators and
superintendents, begin delete appointed by the Governor. end delete begin insert designated by the
Superintendent. end insert

begin delete

(t)

end delete

begin insert (q) end insert  A pupil enrolled in a public school, begin delete appointed end delete begin insert designated end insert
by the Superintendent.

begin insert

(r) A representative from a county office of education,
designated by the Superintendent.

end insert

53311.  

begin insert (a) end insert begin insert   end insert On or before begin delete March end delete begin insert July end insert 1, 2018, the begin insert computer
science strategic implementation end insert advisory begin delete board end delete begin insert panel end insert shall submit
recommendations for a computer science strategic implementation
plan to the begin delete department and end delete begin insert department, end insert the state begin delete board end delete begin insert board, and
the Legislature end insert that includes, at a minimum, recommendations on
all of the following:

begin delete

(a)

end delete

begin insert (1) end insert  Broadening the pool of teachers to teach computer science.
These recommendations may provide, among other things, for the
following:

begin delete

(1)

end delete

begin insert (A) end insert  Providing training and professional development for
education in computer begin delete science. end delete begin insert science pursuant to Section
60605.4. end insert

begin delete

(2)

end delete

begin insert (B) end insert  Creating a teacher certification pathway in computer science.

begin delete

(3)

end delete

begin insert (C) end insert  Expanding scholarship eligibility and loan forgiveness
programs for computer science teachers in low-income and
underserved school districts and rural and urban school districts.

begin delete

(b) Developing computer science content standards. These
recommendations may provide, among other things, for the
following:

end delete begin delete

(1)

end delete

begin insert (2) end insert  Defining computer science education principles that meet
the needs of pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive.

begin delete

(2) Building on the successful integration of computer science
into the California science standards.

(3) Adapting computer science education standards being
developed in other states to address the needs of California pupils.

(4) Building on computer science frameworks for kindergarten
and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, developed by nationally recognized
computer science organizations and experts.

(c)

end delete

begin insert (3) end insert  Ensuring that all pupils have access to quality computer
science courses. These recommendations may provide, among
other things, for the following:

begin delete

(1)

end delete

begin insert (A) end insert  Scaling up computer science education coursework so that
all high schools teach at least one computer science course.

begin delete

(2) Procuring a pathway for computer science to count toward
high school graduation and college admission requirements.

end delete begin delete

(3)

end delete

begin insert (B) end insert  Providing access to computer science in both college and
career pathways.

begin delete

(4)

end delete

begin insert (C) end insert  Ensuring school districts have adequate broadband
connectivity and infrastructure and access to hardware and
software. begin insert This may include, but is not limited to, the development
of grant programs that prioritize high-need school districts. end insert

begin delete

(5)

end delete

begin insert (D) end insert  Removing local begin insert policy and regulatory end insert barriers that local
educational agencies face when implementing computer science
education.

begin delete

(6)

end delete

begin insert (E) end insert  Increasing the participation of pupils traditionally
underrepresented in computer science education.

begin insert

(b) The recommendations shall be submitted to the Legislature
in conformance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

end insert begin insert

(c) Upon completion of the recommendations for a computer
science strategic implementation plan, the computer science
strategic implementation advisory panel established pursuant to
Section 53310 shall cease.

end insert

53312.  

begin insert (a) end insert begin insert   end insert The begin delete Governor end delete begin insert Superintendent end insert shall appoint a
statewide computer science liaison begin insert within the department end insert to serve
the begin insert computer science strategic implementation end insert advisory begin delete board, end delete
begin insert panel, end insert including, but not limited to, begin delete by coordinating end delete begin insert in the following
the actions: end insert

begin insert (1) end insert begin insert   end insert begin insert Coordinating end insert the efforts of the advisory begin delete board and ensuring end delete

begin insert panel by writing up the recommendations of the advisory panel
members and disseminating them to all stakeholders. end insert

begin insert

(2) Soliciting input and public comments.

end insert begin insert

(3) Preparing the necessary legislative reports to share the
advisory panel’s recommendations.

end insert

begin insert (4) end insert begin insert   end insert begin insert Ensuring end insert that the advisory begin delete board’s end delete begin insert panel’s end insert recommendations
are begin delete implemented end delete begin insert considered in order end insert to achieve the intentions of
the computer science strategic implementation plan.

begin insert

(b) The duration of the liaison’s role shall only be through the
implementation of the computer science content standards and
curriculum frameworks in order to ensure that the
recommendations from the computer science strategic
implementation advisory panel are considered for implementation.

end insert

53313.  

begin delete

(a) The advisory board shall report any necessary
legislative changes related to computer science education to the
state board and to the department on or before January 1, 2018.

end delete

begin delete (b) end delete begin delete   end delete The department and state board shall consider the
recommendations submitted by the begin insert computer science strategic
implementation end insert advisory begin delete board end delete begin insert panel end insert pursuant to Section begin delete 53311
and the recommendations submitted to the state board by the
Instructional Quality Commission pursuant to Section 60605.4, end delete
begin insert 53311, end insert shall develop and adopt a computer science strategic
implementation plan, and shall submit the plan to the Legislature
begin insert in conformance with Section 9795 of the Government Code end insert on or
before January 1, 2019.

begin insert

begin insert 53314. end insert   

If state or federal funds are not available or sufficient
for purposes of this chapter, the computer science strategic
implementation advisory panel may evaluate the process and ability
to accept grants and receive donations and other financial support
from public or private sources for purposes of convening the
advisory panel, preparing the computer science strategic
implementation plan, and ensuring that the recommendations are
considered by the appropriate stakeholders.

end insert

begin delete 53314. end delete

begin insert 53315. end insert   

This chapter shall become inoperative on July 31, 2020,
and, as of January 1, 2021, is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that becomes operative on or before January 1, 2021,
deletes or extends the dates on which it becomes inoperative and
is repealed.