1 of 1
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2225 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 362
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Barry R. Finegold
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act expanding access to computer science coursework.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Barry R. FinegoldSecond Essex and Middlesex 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2225 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 362
By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 362) of Barry R. Finegold for
legislation to expand access to computer science coursework. Education.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 277 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
An Act expanding access to computer science coursework.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following
2new section:-
3 Section 100. Computer Science Education
4 (a) Every public high school in the commonwealth shall offer not less than 1 foundational
5computer science course and ensure that every student has the option to access such course
6within a 4-year course of study.
7 (b) A foundational computer science course offered pursuant to this section shall include
8rigorous mathematical or scientific concepts and be consistent with standards adopted by the
9board. 2 of 2
10 SECTION 2. The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop a
11micro-credentialing process that would allow educators and other persons interested in teaching
12foundational computer science at the high school level to demonstrate competency in the specific
13digital literacy and computer science subject matter knowledge requirements that correspond
14with the aspects of the digital literacy and computer science curriculum that would be taught in a
15foundational computer science course as described in section 100 of chapter 71, as inserted by
16section 1. The micro-credentialing process shall be made available to all educators currently in
17the process of meeting the requirements for the digital literacy and computer science 5-12 license
18and all others interested in teaching such coursework; provided, however, that completion of the
19foundational computer science micro-credentialing process would qualify such person so
20credentialed to teach 1 or more foundational computer science courses as described in said
21section 100 of said chapter 71, as so inserted, for a period not to exceed 5 years without having
22to achieve any other teacher certification requirements except for those determined by the
23department to be minimally necessary for said role. The requirements met by a person who has
24achieved a micro-credential may be applied toward the requirements necessary for achieving full
25certification to teach computer science.
26 SECTION 3. Section 1 shall take effect for school years beginning on or after July 1,
272026.