Both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature have passed a bill requiring the State Dept. of Education develop a rubric for implementing quality computer science programs in public schools by the end of 2019.
Senate Bill 593, by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, also requests the State Board of Education to set up a grant to fund the development and implementation of high quality computer science courses.
“As technology continues to advance, there is a steady increase in the demand for computer science professionals.” Boatman said. “Funding quality computer science programs in our public schools will help our students excel and get a leg up in future coursework, which will move our entire state forward.”
SB 593 was amended on the House floor, where it passed 93-0. The bill returned to the Senate for the amendment to be considered and passed 43-2 on Thursday.
“The goal is to ensure access to the professional development training necessary for educators who will be integrating computer science and programming in a range of courses,” Stanislawski said. “This means we will better prepare Oklahoma students so they can compete in a world that is increasingly driven by technology.”
The bill is now available to be signed into law by the governor.