ENROLLED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 264
BY REPRESENTATIVES HUGHES, BAYHAM, BOYD, BUTLER, CARLSON, ROBBY
CARTER, CARVER, DEWITT, FISHER, GREEN, LAFLEUR, JACOB LANDRY,
LARVADAIN, MENA, SELDERS, TAYLOR, THOMPSON, WALTERS, AND
WYBLE
1 AN ACT
2
3 To amend and reenact R.S. 17:183.3(B)(2)(b), (c), and (f), 5025(2)(b), (3)(c),(5), and (8),
4 and 5026(A)(2)(c), (3)(b), and (5) and to enact R.S. 17:7.2(A)(9), 280.3,
5 3996(B)(82), 5025(9), 5025.7, and 5026(F), relative to curricula; to revise the
6 courses required in the high school career major program; to add Computer Science
7 as a required high school course; to require teacher education programs include
8 computer science education; to provide for alignment with the core curriculum
9 required for qualification for TOPS awards; to provide relative to the powers and
10 duties of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education; to provide for
11 applicability; to provide for effectiveness; and to provide for related matters.
12 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
13 Section 1. This Act may be known and shall be cited as the "Computer Science
14 Education Advancement Act".
15 Section 2. R.S. 17:183.3(B)(2)(b), (c), and (f), 5025(2)(b), (3)(c),(5), and (8), and
16 5026(A)(2)(c), (3)(b), and (5) are hereby amended and reenacted and R.S. 17:3996(B)(82),
17 5025(9), 5025.7, and 5026(F) are hereby enacted to read as follows:
18 §183.3. Career major; description; curriculum and graduation requirements
19 * * *
20 B.
21 * * *
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1 (2) The course requirements for the career major shall consist of the
2 following:
3 * * *
4 (b) At least four mathematics credits, including Algebra I, Algebra I Part
5 One and Algebra I Part Two, or an applied or hybrid Algebra course; Geometry or
6 an applied Geometry course; Financial Literacy as provided for in R.S. 17:270; and
7 one additional mathematics course from among the following: Math Essentials,
8 Business Math, Algebra II, Algebra III, Advanced Math - Functions and Statistics,
9 Advanced Math - Pre-Calculus, Pre-Calculus, Computer Science, or comparable
10 Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as
11 approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Integrated
12 Mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra
13 II and shall equal three mathematics credits.
14 (c) At least two science credits, including one credit of Biology and one
15 additional course from among the following: Chemistry I, Earth Science,
16 Environmental Science, Physical Science, Agriscience I and Agriscience II (one
17 credit combined), Physics, Computer Science, or AP or IB Science courses.
18 * * *
19 (f) At least nine credits in Jump Start course sequences, workplace
20 experiences, and credentials. A student shall complete a regionally designed series
21 of Career and Technical Education Jump Start coursework and workplace-based
22 learning experiences leading to a statewide or regional Jump Start credential. This
23 shall include courses and workplace experiences specific to the credential, courses
24 related to foundational career skills requirements in Jump Start, and other courses,
25 including career electives, that the Jump Start regional team determines are
26 appropriate for the career major. One of these credits shall be Computer Science,
27 unless Computer Science is taken to fulfill one credit as provided in Subparagraph
28 (b) or (c) of this Paragraph.
29 * * *
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1 §3996. Charter schools; exemptions; requirements
2 * * *
3 B. Notwithstanding any state law, rule, or regulation to the contrary and
4 except as may be otherwise specifically provided for in an approved charter, a
5 charter school established and operated in accordance with the provisions of this
6 Chapter and its approved charter and the school's officers and employees shall be
7 exempt from all statutory mandates or other statutory requirements that are
8 applicable to public schools and to public school officers and employees except for
9 the following laws otherwise applicable to public schools with the same grades:
10 * * *
11 (82) Computer Science; required instruction, R.S. 17:280.3.
12 * * *
13 §5025. High school core curriculum requirements; Opportunity, Performance,
14 Honors Awards
15 To be eligible for an Opportunity, Performance, or Honors Award pursuant
16 to this Chapter, a student shall have successfully completed a core curriculum which
17 consists of twenty units of high school course work as follows:
18 * * *
19 (2) Mathematics - Four Units
20 * * *
21 (b) One unit chosen from the following: Algebra III; Advanced Math
22 Functions and Statistics, Advanced Math-Pre-Calculus, Pre-Calculus, or Math
23 Methods I IB (Mathematical Studies SL); Calculus, AP Calculus AB, or Math
24 Methods II IB (Mathematics SL); AP Calculus BC; Probability and Statistics or AP
25 Statistics; IB Further Mathematics HL; IB Mathematics HL. IB Mathematics HL;
26 Computer Science.
27 (3) Science - Four Units
28 * * *
29 (c) Two units chosen from the following: Earth Science; Environmental
30 Science; Physical Science; Agriscience I and Agriscience II (one unit combined);
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1 Chemistry II, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry II; AP Environmental Science, or IB
2 Environmental Systems; Physics I, AP Physics I, AP Physics B, or IB Physics I; AP
3 Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, AP Physics C: Mechanics, IB Physics II, or
4 AP Physics II; Biology II, AP Biology, or IB Biology II. IB Biology II; Computer
5 Science.
6 * * *
7 (5) Foreign Language or Computer Science - two units
8 (a) Foreign Language - the two units shall be in the same language, which
9 may include the following: AP Chinese Language and Culture, AP French Language
10 and Culture, AP German Language and Culture, AP Italian Language and Culture,
11 AP Japanese Language and Culture, AP Latin, AP Spanish Language and Culture,
12 French IV IB, French V IB, Spanish IV IB, and Spanish V IB.
13 (b) Computer Science - the two units. shall be in principles, coding, and
14 programming, which may include the following: Computer Science I, Computer
15 Science II, Fundamentals of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (Level 1), Advanced
16 JavaScript, Functional Programming, and Web Development (Level 2), AP
17 Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, Computer Science Year One
18 IB, and Computer Science Year Two IB.
19 * * *
20 (8) Computer Science - one unit. This requirement shall be satisfied as
21 provided in Paragraph (2), (3), or (5) of this Section.
22 (9) For the purposes of this Section, any core curriculum course that is taken
23 by a student who has been identified as gifted pursuant to State Board of Elementary
24 and Secondary Education policy and that is taken in fulfillment of the student's
25 Individualized Education Program shall be considered a gifted course and shall fulfill
26 the core curriculum requirement in its given subject area.
27 * * *
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1 §5025.7. High school core curriculum requirements; Opportunity, Performance, and
2 Honors Awards; students graduating in the 2027-2028 school year
3 To be eligible for an Opportunity, Performance, or Honors Award pursuant
4 to this Chapter, a student shall have successfully completed a core curriculum which
5 consists of twenty units of high school course work as follows:
6 (1) English - Four Units
7 (a) English I.
8 (b) English II.
9 (c) One unit chosen from the following: English III, AP English Language
10 Arts and Composition, or English III IB (Language A or Literature and
11 Performance).
12 (d) One unit chosen from the following: English IV, AP English Literature
13 and Composition, or English IV IB (Language A or Literature and Performance).
14 (2) Mathematics - Four Units
15 (a) Algebra I (one unit), Geometry (one unit), and Algebra II (one unit).
16 Integrated Mathematics I, Integrated Mathematics II, and Integrated Mathematics III
17 may be substituted for the Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II sequence.
18 (b) One unit chosen from the following: Algebra III; Advanced Math
19 Functions and Statistics, Advanced Math-Pre-Calculus, Pre-Calculus, or Math
20 Methods I IB (Mathematical Studies SL); Calculus, AP Calculus AB, or Math
21 Methods II IB (Mathematics SL); AP Calculus BC; Probability and Statistics or AP
22 Statistics; IB Further Mathematics HL; IB Mathematics HL.
23 (3) Science - Four Units
24 (a) Biology I.
25 (b) Chemistry I.
26 (c) Two units chosen from the following: Earth Science; Environmental
27 Science; Physical Science; Agriscience I and Agriscience II (one unit combined);
28 Chemistry II, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry II; AP Environmental Science, or IB
29 Environmental Systems; Physics I, AP Physics I, AP Physics B, or IB Physics I; AP
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1 Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, AP Physics C: Mechanics, IB Physics II, or
2 AP Physics II; Biology II, AP Biology, or IB Biology II.
3 (4) Social Studies - Four Units
4 (a) One unit chosen from the following: U.S. History, AP US History, or IB
5 US History.
6 (b) One unit chosen from the following: Civics, Government, AP US
7 Government and Politics: Comparative, AP US Government and Politics: United
8 States.
9 (c) Two units chosen from the following: Western Civilization, European
10 History, or AP European History; World Geography, AP Human Geography, or IB
11 Geography; World History, AP World History, or World History IB; History of
12 Religion; IB Economics, Economics, AP Macroeconomics, or AP Microeconomics;
13 African American History.
14 (5) Foreign Language or Computer Science - Two Units
15 (a) Foreign Language - the two units shall be in the same language, which
16 may include the following: AP Chinese Language and Culture, AP French Language
17 and Culture, AP German Language and Culture, AP Italian Language and Culture,
18 AP Japanese Language and Culture, AP Latin, AP Spanish Language and Culture,
19 French IV IB, French V IB, Spanish IV IB, and Spanish V IB.
20 (b) Computer Science - the two units shall be in principles, coding, and
21 programming, which may include the following: Computer Science I; Computer
22 Science II; Fundamentals of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (Level 1); Advanced
23 JavaScript, Functional Programming, and Web Development (Level 2); AP
24 Computer Science A; AP Computer Science Principles; Computer Science Year One
25 IB; and Computer Science Year Two IB.
26 (6) Art - one unit chosen from the following: Performance course in Music,
27 Dance, or Theatre; Fine Arts Survey; Art I, II, III, and IV; Talented Art I, II, III, and
28 IV; Talented Music I, II, III, and IV; Talented Theater Arts I, II, III, and IV; Speech
29 III and Speech IV (one unit combined); AP Art History; AP Studio Art: 2-D Design;
30 AP Studio Art: 3-D Design; AP Studio Art: Drawing; AP Music Theory; Film
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1 Study I IB; Film Study II IB; Music I IB; Music II IB; Art Design III IB; Art Design
2 IV IB; Theatre I IB; or Drafting.
3 (7) Financial Literacy - one unit.
4 (8) For the purposes of this Section, any core curriculum course that is taken
5 by a student who has been identified as gifted pursuant to State Board of Elementary
6 and Secondary Education policy and that is taken in fulfillment of the student's
7 Individualized Education Program shall be considered a gifted course and shall fulfill
8 the core curriculum requirement in its given subject area.
9 §5026. High school core curriculum requirements; TOPS-Tech
10 A. To be eligible for a TOPS-Tech Award pursuant to this Chapter, the
11 student shall have successfully completed the core curriculum requirements of R.S.
12 17:5025 or the core curriculum defined as follows:
13 * * *
14 (2) Math - Four Units
15 * * *
16 (c) One or more units from the following: Algebra II, Math Essentials,
17 Business Math, Algebra III, Advanced Math - Functions and Statistics, Advanced
18 Math - Pre-Calculus, Pre-Calculus, Computer Science, or comparable Louisiana
19 Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the
20 State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Integrated Mathematics I, II,
21 and III may be substituted for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II, and shall equal
22 three mathematics credits.
23 (3) Science - Two Units
24 * * *
25 (b) One unit from the following: Chemistry I, Earth Science, Environmental
26 Science, Agriscience I and Agriscience II (both for one unit), Physical Science,
27 Physics, Computer Science, or AP or IB science courses.
28 * * *
29 (5) At least nine credits in Jump Start course sequences, workplace
30 experiences, and credentials. A student shall complete a regionally designed series
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1 of Career and Technical Education Jump Start coursework and workplace-based
2 learning experiences leading to a statewide or regional Jump Start credential. This
3 shall include courses and workplace experiences specific to the credential, courses
4 related to foundational career skills requirements in Jump Start, and other courses,
5 including career electives, that the Jump Start regional team determines are
6 appropriate for the career major. One of these credits shall be Computer Science,
7 unless Computer Science is taken to fulfill one credit as provided in Paragraph (2)
8 or (3) of this Subsection.
9 * * *
10 F. For a student graduating during the 2027-2028 school year to be eligible
11 for a TOPS-Tech Award pursuant to this Chapter, the student shall have successfully
12 completed the core curriculum requirements of R.S. 17:5025 or the core curriculum
13 defined as follows:
14 (1) English - Four Units
15 (a) English I.
16 (b) English II.
17 (c) Two or more units from the following: English III, English IV, AP or IB
18 English courses, Business English, Technical Writing, or comparable Louisiana
19 Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the
20 State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
21 (2) Math - Four Units
22 (a) Algebra I, Algebra I Part One and Algebra I Part Two, or an applied or
23 hybrid algebra course (one unit), and Geometry or an applied Geometry course (one
24 unit).
25 (b) Financial Literacy (one unit).
26 (c) One or more units from the following: Algebra II, Math Essentials,
27 Business Math, Algebra III, Advanced Math - Functions and Statistics, Advanced
28 Math - Pre-Calculus, Pre-Calculus, or comparable Louisiana Technical College
29 courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the State Board of
30 Elementary and Secondary Education. Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III may be
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1 substituted for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II, and shall equal three
2 mathematics credits.
3 (3) Science - Two Units
4 (a) Biology.
5 (b) One unit from the following: Chemistry I, Earth Science, Environmental
6 Science, Agriscience I and Agriscience II (both for one unit), Physical Science,
7 Physics, or AP or IB science courses.
8 (4) Social Studies - Two Units
9 (a) One unit from the following: U.S. History, AP U.S. History, or IB U.S.
10 History.
11 (b) One unit from the following: Civics, Government, AP U.S. Government
12 and Politics: Comparative, or AP U.S. Government and Politics: United States.
13 (5) At least nine credits in Jump Start course sequences, workplace
14 experiences, and credentials. A student shall complete a regionally designed series
15 of Career and Technical Education Jump Start coursework and workplace-based
16 learning experiences leading to a statewide or regional Jump Start credential. This
17 shall include courses and workplace experiences specific to the credential, courses
18 related to foundational career skills requirements in Jump Start, and other courses,
19 including career electives, that the Jump Start regional team determines are
20 appropriate for the career major.
21 Section 3. R.S. 17:7.2(A)(9) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
22 §7.2. Approved teacher education programs
23 A. In carrying out its responsibility to prescribe the qualifications and
24 provide for the certification of teachers under authority of R.S. 17:7(6), the State
25 Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, subject to the constitutional power
26 and authority of the Board of Regents, the Board of Supervisors for the University
27 of Louisiana System, the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and
28 Agricultural and Mechanical College, and the Board of Supervisors of Southern
29 University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, shall establish qualifications
30 and requirements for the approval of teacher education programs from which
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1 graduates may be certified. The qualifications and requirements established by the
2 State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for an approved teacher
3 education program shall include but not be limited to the following:
4 * * *
5 (9) That the program include instruction on teaching students computer
6 science, which may be incorporated into an existing course of study.
7 * * *
8 Section 4. R.S. 17:280.3 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
9 §280.3. Computer science; required instruction
10 A.(1) Each public high school shall provide computer science instruction to
11 its students. Each public high school student shall successfully complete a one credit
12 Computer Science course as a requirement for high school graduation.
13 (2) Each public school with students in grades six through eight shall provide
14 instruction in exploratory computer science to its students.
15 (3) Each public elementary school shall provide instruction in the basics of
16 computer science and computational thinking.
17 B. The state Department of Education shall approve the computer science
18 courses required by this Section.
19 C. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall
20 promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Section.
21 Section 5. By June 30, 2024, the state Department of Education shall publish on its
22 website and enact a plan to ensure sufficient computer science teacher capacity to carry out
23 the provisions of this Act. The plan shall:
24 (1) Be initially based on the recommendations of the Louisiana Computer Science
25 Education Advisory Commission.
26 (2) Provide options, including but not limited to online options, for alternative
27 endorsement pathways for certificated teachers and teacher preparation program students to
28 demonstrate competency that may result in a certification to teach computer science.
29 (3) Outline scholarship or state-funded training opportunities for teachers to gain
30 certification or endorsement in computer science.
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1 (4) Be updated by the state department as necessary.
2 Section 6.(A) The provisions of R.S. 17:183.3(B)(2)(b), (c), and (f) as amended by
3 Section 2 of this Act shall apply to students who enter the ninth grade during the 2025-2026
4 school year and thereafter.
5 (B) R.S. 17:3996(B)(82) as enacted by Section 2 of this Act shall be implemented
6 beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
7 (C) R.S. 17:7.2(A)(9) as enacted by Section 3 of this Act shall be implemented
8 beginning on June 30, 2026.
9 (D) The provisions of R.S. 17:280.3(A) as enacted by Section 4 of this Act shall be
10 implemented as follows:
11 (1) R.S. 17:280.3(A)(1) and (2) shall be initially implemented prior to the 2026-2027
12 school year and shall apply to students who enter the ninth grade during the 2026-2027
13 school year and thereafter.
14 (2) R.S. 17:280.3(A)(3) shall be initially implemented prior to the 2027-2028 school
15 year.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
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