EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM, the official text

H7117 2026 -- H 7117 ======== LC003760 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ A N A C T RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM Introduced By: Representatives J. Lombardi, Hull, and Cruz Date Introduced: January 15, 2026 Referred To: House Education It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Chapter 16-22 of the General Laws entitled Curriculum [See Title 16 2 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] is hereby amended by adding thereto the 3 following sections: 4 16-22-39. Recommendations on the development of computer science curriculum. 5 (a) The council on elementary and secondary education ( council ) shall develop 6 recommendations on a computer science curriculum to prepare students for successful 7 postsecondary education and careers in computer science, information technology, and related 8 fields. In developing these recommendations, the council shall consider policies and practices that 9 are designed to increase access to high-quality educational experiences that help more students 10 obtain careers in these fields. 11 (b) The council s recommendations shall identify: 12 (1) High school courses in computer science, including computer coding and computer 13 programming, of sufficient rigor that may be used to satisfy admissions requirements at state 14 colleges and universities, including requirements for mathematics and science; 15 (2) Common academic and technical skills needed for students to meet projected labor 16 market demands in computer science, information technology, and related fields in and outside of 17 the state; 18 (3) How middle and high school students, including underrepresented and nontraditional 19 students, can be encouraged to pursue further studies and careers in computer science, information 1 technology, and related fields; 2 (4) Secondary course sequences which prepare students to succeed in postsecondary 3 educational programs in computer science, information technology, and related fields; 4 (5) Gaps in current policy, curricula, programs, and practices at the state, school district, 5 and postsecondary level which inhibit students from pursuing advanced studies and careers in 6 computer science, information technology, and related fields; 7 (6) Appropriate educator qualifications and computer science pedagogy to maintain 8 technologically current instructional knowledge and practices in teacher preparation programs; and 9 (7) Common definitions for terms related to computer science, including terms such as 10 computer coding and computer programming, for consistent use across both the Rhode Island 11 kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) education system and the state s postsecondary education 12 system. 13 (c) By December 31, 2027, the council shall report its recommendations to the board of 14 education, the governor, and the general assembly. 15 16-22-40. Computer science and technology instruction. 16 (a) By June 30, 2028, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education 17 ( commissioner ) shall develop academic standards for a computer science high school curriculum, 18 including standards and benchmarks for computer coding and computer programming, and identify 19 high school-level courses which incorporate those standards and prepare students for postsecondary 20 success in computer science, information technology, and related fields. In developing these 21 standards, the commissioner shall consider and incorporate the recommendations made by the 22 council on elementary and secondary education pursuant to §16-22-30, to the fullest extent the 23 commissioner deems practicable. 24 (b) The courses in the computer science curriculum should, to the extent academically 25 feasible, enable a student to utilize computer science courses to meet mathematics, and science 26 admission requirements at the state colleges and universities, including the Community College of 27 Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode Island. 28 (c) If a school district does not offer a course identified by the commissioner pursuant to 29 subsections (a) and (b) of this section, that district shall provide students access to the course 30 through a virtual school or education program, an online program, or through other means. 31 (d) If a student is enrolled in an identified course that satisfies a mathematics, or science 32 admissions requirement for a state postsecondary school, including the Community College of 33 Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode Island, the school district shall 34 notify the student that they should contact any private in-state or out-of-state public or private LC003760 - Page 2 of 4 1 postsecondary institution to which that student is applying and inquire whether the course credit 2 satisfies any of the institution s admissions requirements. 3 (e) The commissioner shall annually report to the council on elementary and secondary 4 education, the governor, and the general assembly on: 5 (1) The courses identified by the commissioner that meet the academic standards for 6 computer science; 7 (2) The number of students, by district, including all public schools and charter public 8 schools, who are enrolled in courses identified by the commissioner that meet the academic 9 standards for computer science; and 10 (3) The number of teachers, educators and other individuals who hold a valid educator 11 certificate in computer science or a related field. 12 (f) The council on elementary and secondary education shall consult with the board of 13 education and school districts to develop strategies for recruiting qualified teachers to provide 14 computer science instruction, updating computer science educator certification requirements, 15 providing appropriate professional development to maintain technologically current instructional 16 knowledge and practices in the school districts, and identifying and streamlining traditional and 17 alternative pathways toward computer science educator certification. 18 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC003760 ======== LC003760 - Page 3 of 4 EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM *** 1 This act would direct the council on elementary and secondary education to develop 2 recommendations for a high school curriculum to prepare students for successful postsecondary 3 education and careers in computer science. The act would also direct the commissioner of 4 elementary and secondary education to consider the council s recommendations and develop 5 academic standards for a computer science high school curriculum. The courses in the computer 6 science curriculum should, to the extent academically feasible, enable a student to utilize computer 7 science courses to meet mathematics and science admission requirements at the state s colleges and 8 universities. 9 This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC003760 ======== LC003760 - Page 4 of 4