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GA HB487

GA HB487
Quality Basic Education Act; computer science course shall be a high school graduation requirement beginning in 2031; provide


summary

Introduced
02/18/2025
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT To amend Part 2 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to competencies and core curriculum under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to provide that, beginning in the 2031-2032 school year, a computer science course shall be a high school graduation requirement; to provide for certain computer science courses to be substituted for units of credit graduation requirements in certain other subject areas; to provide for such exception; to revise legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

AI Summary

This bill amends Georgia's education law to make a computer science course a mandatory high school graduation requirement starting in the 2031-2032 school year. The legislation expands the definition of computer science to include emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and emphasizes the critical thinking skills such courses provide. Students can fulfill this requirement by taking a full-credit computer science course or a career, technical, and agricultural education (CTAE) course embedded with computer science, which can be delivered in traditional, blended, or online formats. Notably, these courses can be used to satisfy graduation credits in various subjects like math, science, CTAE, modern language, fine arts, or electives, with some restrictions to ensure core subject requirements are still met. The bill also provides flexibility by allowing students to take multiple computer science courses and potentially offset different credit requirements. Additionally, the legislation continues previous provisions supporting computer science education, including requirements for schools to offer computer science courses, professional development for teachers, and an annual reporting mechanism to track implementation progress.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

House Second Readers (on 02/20/2025)

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