Section 16-46B-2 Computer Science Course or Instruction Requirements. (Amended by Act 2026-507)
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AMENDED BY ACT 2026-507, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2026. SEE ACT FOR REVISED LANGUAGE.
(a)(1) Beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, each public high school shall offer at least one authentic computer science course from a department-approved list.
(2)Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, each public middle school shall offer instruction in middle school computer science courses approved by the department.
(3)Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, each public elementary school shall offer instruction on the basics of computer science and computational thinking.
(b)A computer science course or instruction in computer science offered by a public school shall satisfy all of the following:
(1)Be of high quality, as defined by the department.
(2)Meet or exceed the standards and curriculum requirements, as they relate to authentic computer science, established by the board in the state course of study for digital literacy and computer science pursuant to Section 16-35-4 and be on the approved list of computer science courses.
(c)A computer science course offered by a public high school should be offered through an in-person setting and shall be offered as a virtual or distance learning course option only when an in-person classroom setting is not practicable. A rationale for using the virtual or distance learning option shall be included in the annual report.
(d)The enforcement of this section shall comply with Section 16-1-11.1.