DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 264 Reengrossed 2024 Regular Session Hughes
Abstract: Requires students to successfully complete a one unit Computer Science course to grade
from high school and to qualify for TOPS.
Proposed law requires completion of a one unit Computer Science course for:
(1)Graduation from a public high school.
(2)A high school career diploma. Present law requires a student to complete one mathematics
elective course, one science elective course, and nine credits in Jump Start courses to be
eligible for a career diploma. Proposed law requires that one of these credits be Computer
Science.
(3)A TOPS award. Present law requires a student to complete one mathematics elective course,
two science elective courses, and two units in either Foreign Language or Computer Science
to be eligible for a TOPS award.
Proposed law requires that one of these credits be Computer Science for students graduating
through the 2027-2028 school year.
(4)A TOPS-Tech award. Present law requires a student to complete one mathematics elective
course, one science elective course, and nine credits in Jump Start courses to be eligible for
a TOPS-Tech award. Proposed law requires that one of these credits be Computer Science.
Present law and proposed law, relative to students graduating through the 2027-2028 school year,
requires successful completion of either.
Proposed law requires the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education to promulgate rules to
implement offering Computer Science courses.
Proposed law requires teacher preparation programs to include instruction on teaching students
computer science and authorizes such instruction to be incorporated into an existing course of study.
Implementation required in part beginning with the 2026-2027 school year; in part beginning with
the 2027-2028 school year.
(Amends R.S. 17:183.3(B)(2)(b), (c), and (f), 5025(2)(b), (3)(c), (5), and (8), and 5026(A)(2)(c), (3)(b), and (5); Adds R.S. 17:7.2(A)(9), 280.3, 3996(B)(82), 5025(9), 5025.7, and 5026(F))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original bill:
1. Authorize teacher prep instruction on teaching students computer science to be
incorporated into an existing course of study.
2. Regarding qualifying for a TOPS Award, add an option for one unit of a foreign language
and one unit of computer science, rather than requiring two units of either one.
3. Delay implementation of requirement that public high schools provide computer science
instruction until the 2026-2027 school year.
4. Require the state Dept. of Education to approve the computer science courses offered to
public school students.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. For a TOPS award, remove proposed law option to take one unit of a foreign language
and one unit of computer science and remove content specifics regarding computer
science course options.