By: Guerra, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Hinojosa) H.B. No. 728
(In the Senate - Received from the House April 24, 2017;
April 26, 2017, read first time and referred to Committee on
Education; May 9, 2017, reported favorably by the following vote:
Yeas 11, Nays 0; May 9, 2017, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment by the State Board of Education of an
advanced computer science program for high school students.
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. ADVANCED COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAM. (a) The
State Board of Education by rule shall develop and implement a
program under which:
(1) students in participating school districts may
comply with the curriculum requirements for an advanced mathematics
credit under Section 28.025(b-1)(2) or an advanced science credit
under Section 28.025(b-1)(3) by successfully completing an
advanced computer science course; and
(2) participating school districts implement rigorous
standards, as developed by the State Board of Education, for
advanced computer science courses that are focused on the creation
and use of software and computing technologies.
(b) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to
administer this section.
SECTION 2. The State Board of Education shall establish the
program under Section 28.018, Education Code, as added by this Act,
not later than September 1, 2018, for implementation during the
2018-2019 school year.
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, 2017.
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