Bill Text: NJ S1178 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires high schools to offer computer science course.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-09 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee [S1178 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-S1178-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator RAJ MUKHERJI
District 32 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Requires high schools to offer computer science course.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning computer science instruction for certain students and supplementing chapter 35 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this section, "computer science" means the study of computers and algorithmic processes and includes the study of computing principles, computer hardware and software design, computer applications, and the impact of computers on society.
b. Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, the board of education of a school district that includes grades 9 through 12 shall offer a high school student at least one course in the field of computer science.
c. A computer science course developed by a school district pursuant to subsection b. of this section shall:
(1) be of high quality; and
(2) be made available in a traditional classroom setting, blended learning environment, online-based, or other technology-based format that is tailored to meet the needs of each participating student.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires a school district that includes grades 9 through 12 to offer a high school student at least one course in the field of computer science beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. The course would entail the study of computers and algorithmic processes, and include the study of computing principles, computer hardware and software design, computer applications, and the impact of computers on society.
Under the bill, the course must be of high quality, and be made available in a traditional classroom setting, blended learning environment, online-based, or other technology-based format that is tailored to meet the needs of each participating student.
Computer science is a transitioning industry, creating new fields of commerce, driving innovation in all fields of science, and bolstering productivity in established economic sectors. Exposing high school students to computer science education will provide those students with critical skills that will serve them throughout their lives in numerous fields and better prepare students to be knowledgeable and productive citizens in the 21st century.
