summary
Introduced
02/20/2025
02/20/2025
In Committee
02/28/2025
02/28/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
04/12/2025
04/12/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §18-2-9b, relating to requiring public high school students to earn a minimum of one-half unit of credit in a computer science course prior to graduating; defining “computer science”; requiring the computer science course to meet or exceed standards established by the State Board of Education; requiring the course to be offered in person in a traditional classroom setting unless not feasible; providing for alternatives when offering in person in a traditional classroom setting is not feasible; specifying grade levels in which the credit may be earned; requiring State Board of Education rules detailing how computer science can fulfil other graduation requirements; requiring rules to ensure maximum flexibility for students; imposing requirements pertaining to a student’s transcript if a student uses a computer science course to fulfil the math or science credit; requiring computer science standards include high school introductory computer science courses that include foundational computer science concepts; requiring State Board of Education make available a list of course options that can meet the requirements for the computer science credit; requiring State Board of Education rules to ensure schools can obtain the necessary teacher capacity to support implementation; and allowing additional rules deemed necessary for implementation.
AI Summary
This bill requires public high school students in West Virginia to complete a half-credit computer science course before graduating, starting with the ninth-grade class entering in the 2027-2028 school year. The bill specifically defines computer science as the in-depth study of computers, programming, and algorithms, explicitly distinguishing it from basic computer skills like word processing or internet use. The computer science course must meet state board standards and be offered in a traditional classroom setting when possible, with alternatives like online or blended learning if in-person instruction is not feasible. Students can earn this half-credit in grades eight through twelve, and the state board is required to develop rules that provide flexibility in how the course can fulfill graduation requirements. For instance, if a student uses the computer science course to satisfy a math or science credit, the school must clearly indicate this on the student's transcript. The bill also mandates that the state board develop a list of approved course options, update computer science standards to include foundational concepts, and create strategies to ensure schools can recruit and license qualified computer science teachers. Ultimately, the legislation aims to ensure that students gain meaningful computer science education before completing high school.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Education
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
To Finance (on 02/28/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=558&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill |
| Fiscal Note - Education, WV State Board of | http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Fiscalnotes/FN(2)/fnsubmit_recordview1.cfm?RecordID=926860753 |
| BillText | http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=sb558%20sub1.htm&yr=2025&sesstype=RS&i=558 |
| BillText | http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=sb558%20intr.htm&yr=2025&sesstype=RS&i=558 |
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