H.B. No. 2984
AN ACT
relating to the essential knowledge and skills of the technology
applications curriculum and the establishment of a computer science
strategic advisory committee to increase computer science
instruction and participation in public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (c-3) to read as follows:
(c-3) In adopting the essential knowledge and skills for the
technology applications curriculum for kindergarten through grade
eight, the State Board of Education shall adopt essential knowledge
and skills that include coding, computer programming,
computational thinking, and cybersecurity. The State Board of
Education shall review and revise, as needed, the essential
knowledge and skills of the technology applications curriculum
every five years to ensure the curriculum:
(1) is relevant to student education; and
(2) aligns with current or emerging professions.
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 28.0181 to read as follows:
Sec. 28.0181. COMPUTER SCIENCE STRATEGIC ADVISORY
COMMITTEE. (a)
In this section, "advisory committee" means the
computer science strategic advisory committee established under
this section.
(b) The agency shall establish the computer science
strategic advisory committee to develop and provide
recommendations for increasing computer science instruction and
participation in public schools.
(c) The advisory committee is composed of at least 11
members. The members must include:
(1) two members appointed by the governor;
(2) two members appointed by the lieutenant governor;
(3) two members appointed by the speaker of the house
of representatives;
(4) one member appointed by the chair of the senate
committee with primary jurisdiction over primary and secondary
education;
(5) one member appointed by the chair of the senate
committee with primary jurisdiction over higher education;
(6) one member appointed by the chair of the house of
representatives committee with primary jurisdiction over primary
and secondary education;
(7) one member appointed by the chair of the house of
representatives committee with primary jurisdiction over higher
education;
(8) one member appointed by the chair of the State
Board of Education; and
(9) any other members added by the advisory committee
in a manner determined by the committee in the committee's
discretion.
(d) In appointing members to the advisory committee, the
governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
representatives shall coordinate appointments to ensure that the
six individuals appointed to the advisory committee collectively by
those officers include:
(1) three educators who teach in a public school and
are certified in computer science;
(2) one parent or person standing in parental relation
to a student enrolled in a public school;
(3) one person employed in the technology industry;
and
(4) one faculty member of an institution of higher
education.
(e) The governor shall designate a member of the advisory
committee as the presiding officer of the advisory committee to
serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the governor.
(f) The advisory committee may hold public meetings.
(g) Members of the advisory committee are not entitled to
compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for actual and
necessary expenses incurred in fulfilling committee duties.
(h) Staff members of the agency shall provide
administrative support for the advisory committee.
(i) Funding for the administrative and operational expenses
of the advisory committee shall be provided by appropriation to the
agency for that purpose.
(j) Not later than September 1, 2020, the advisory committee
shall submit to the governor and the legislature a report that
includes recommended changes to state law, including funding
proposals and timelines for the implementation of the recommended
changes. The report shall include recommendations that are intended
to:
(1) increase the number of certified computer science
teachers;
(2) increase the number of public high schools
offering computer science courses;
(3) increase the number of high school students
enrolled in computer science courses;
(4) encourage the enrollment of diverse student
populations in computer science courses; and
(5) expand computer science learning opportunities,
including computer programming, computer coding, cybersecurity,
and computational thinking, in public schools.
(k) The advisory committee is abolished and this section
expires January 1, 2021.
SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the appropriate persons, as provided by Section
28.0181(c), Education Code, as added by this Act, shall appoint
members to the computer science strategic advisory committee.
SECTION 4. Not later than December 31, 2020, the State Board
of Education shall review and revise, as needed, the essential
knowledge and skills of the technology applications curriculum as
required by Section 28.002(c-3), Education Code, as added by this
Act.
SECTION 5. The State Board of Education is required to
implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature
appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the
legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that
purpose, the board may, but is not required to, implement a
provision of this Act using other appropriations available for that
purpose.
SECTION 6. 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, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2984 was passed by the House on April
17, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 132, Nays 9, 1 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 2984 on May 24, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0,
1 present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2984 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 20, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor