84R13497 JSL-D By: Guerra, Muñoz, Jr., Bohac H.B. No. 3700 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the establishment of a pilot program in certain school districts to develop computer science education and professional development opportunities. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 28.018 to read as follows: Sec. 28.018. COMPUTER SCIENCE DEVELOPMENT PILOT PROGRAM. (a) The commissioner by rule shall develop and implement a pilot program under which: (1) students in participating school districts may comply with the curriculum requirements for the third mathematics credit under Section 28.025(b-1)(2) or the third science credit under Section 28.025 (b-1)(3) by successfully completing an advanced computer science course; (2) participating school districts implement rigorous standards, as developed by the commissioner, for computer science courses that are focused on the creation and use of software and computing technologies; and (3) classroom teachers employed by participating school districts have increased opportunities to become certified as computer science teachers. (b) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to administer this section. (c) This section expires July 1, 2020. SECTION 2. The commissioner of education shall establish the pilot program under Section 28.018, Education Code, as added by this Act, not later than September 1, 2015. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.