By: Nelson, Hinojosa S.B. No. 2180

West

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

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 that 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. Not later than December 31, 2022, 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 4. 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 5. The Texas Education Agency 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 Texas Education Agency 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.