BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 728

By: Guerra

Public Education

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that, despite the importance of computer science in education and industry, current public school computer science courses often do not count toward a student's required coursework nor do they meet entrance requirements for college. C.S.H.B. 728 seeks to address this issue through the establishment of an advanced computer science program for high school students.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the commissioner of education in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 728 amends the Education Code to require the commissioner of education by rule to develop and implement a program under which students in participating public school districts may comply with the foundation high school program curriculum requirements for an advanced mathematics credit or an advanced science credit by successfully completing an advanced computer science course and under which 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. The bill requires the commissioner to adopt rules as necessary to administer this requirement and requires the commissioner to establish the program not later than September 1, 2018, for implementation during the 2018-2019 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 728 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
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 commissioner by rule shall develop and implement a 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; and (2)  participating school districts implement rigorous standards, as developed by the commissioner, 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 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 commissioner 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 commissioner of education shall establish the program under Section 28.018, Education Code, as added by this Act, not later than September 1, 2017.	SECTION 2.  The commissioner 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.	SECTION 3. Same as introduced version.