2019 -- H 5070

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LC000185

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Lombardi, and Hull

     Date Introduced: January 10, 2019

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-22 of the General Laws entitled "Curriculum [See Title 16

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Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding thereto

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the following sections:

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     16-22-30. Recommendations on the development of computer science curriculum.

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     (a) The council on elementary and secondary education ("council") shall develop

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recommendations on a computer science curriculum to prepare students for successful

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postsecondary education and careers in computer science, information technology, and related

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fields. In developing these recommendations, the council shall consider policies and practices that

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are designed to increase access to high-quality educational experiences that help more students

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obtain careers in these fields.

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     (b) The council's recommendations shall identify:

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     (1) High school courses in computer science, including computer coding and computer

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programming, of sufficient rigor that may be used to satisfy admissions requirements at state

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colleges and universities, including requirements for foreign languages, mathematics, and

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science;

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     (2) Common academic and technical skills needed for students to meet projected labor

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market demands in computer science, information technology, and related fields in and outside of

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the state;

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     (3) How middle and high school students, including underrepresented and nontraditional

 

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students, can be encouraged to pursue further studies and careers in computer science,

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information technology, and related fields;

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     (4) Secondary course sequences which prepare students to succeed in postsecondary

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educational programs in computer science, information technology, and related fields;

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     (5) Gaps in current policy, curricula, programs, and practices at the state, school district,

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and postsecondary level which inhibit students from pursuing advanced studies and careers in

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computer science, information technology, and related fields;

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     (6) Appropriate educator qualifications and computer science pedagogy to maintain

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technologically current instructional knowledge and practices in teacher preparation programs;

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and

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     (7) Common definitions for terms related to computer science, including terms such as

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"computer coding" and "computer programming," for consistent use across both the Rhode Island

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K-12 education system and the state's postsecondary education system.

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     (c) By December 31, 2020, the council shall report its recommendations to the board of

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education, the governor, and the general assembly.

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     16-22-31. Computer science and technology instruction.

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     (a) By June 30, 2021, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education

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("commissioner") shall develop academic standards for a computer science high school

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curriculum, including standards and benchmarks for computer coding and computer

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programming, and identify high school-level courses which incorporate the standards and prepare

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students for postsecondary success in computer science, information technology, and related

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fields. In developing these standards, the commissioner shall consider and incorporate the

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recommendations made by the council on elementary and secondary education pursuant to ยง16-

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22-30, to the fullest extent the commissioner deems practicable.

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     (b) The courses in the computer science curriculum should, to the extent academically

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feasible, enable a student to utilize computer science courses to meet foreign language,

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mathematics, and science admission requirements at the state colleges and universities, including

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the Community College of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode

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Island.

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     (c) If a school district does not offer a course identified by the commissioner pursuant to

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subsections (a) and (b) of this section, that district shall provide students access to the course

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through a virtual school or education program, an online program, or through other means.

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     (d) If a student is enrolled in an identified course that satisfies a foreign language,

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mathematics, or science admissions requirement for a state postsecondary school, including the

 

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Community College of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode Island,

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the school district shall notify the student that they should contact any private in-state or out-of-

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state public or private postsecondary institution to which the student is applying and inquire

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whether the course credit satisfies any of the institution's admissions requirements.

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     (e) The commissioner shall annually report to the council on elementary and secondary

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education, the governor, and the general assembly on:

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     (1) The courses identified by the commissioner that meet the academic standards for

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computer science;

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     (2) The number of students, by district, including all public schools and charter public

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schools, who are enrolled in a course identified by the commissioner that meets the academic

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standards for computer science; and

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     (3) The number of teachers, educators and other individuals who hold a valid educator

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certificate in computer science or a related field.

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     (f) The council on elementary and secondary education shall consult with the board of

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education and school districts to develop strategies for recruiting qualified teachers to provide

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computer science instruction, updating computer science educator certification requirements,

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providing appropriate professional development to maintain technologically current instructional

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knowledge and practices in the school districts, and identifying and streamlining traditional and

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alternative pathways toward computer science educator certification.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

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     This act would direct the council on elementary and secondary education to develop

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recommendations for a high school curriculum to prepare students for successful postsecondary

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education and careers in computer science. The act would also direct the commissioner of

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elementary and secondary education to consider the council's recommendations and develop

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academic standards for a computer science high school curriculum. The courses in the computer

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science curriculum should, to the extent academically feasible, enable a student to utilize

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computer science courses to meet foreign language, mathematics, and science admission

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requirements at the state's colleges and universities.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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