Honorable John Kuempel, Chair, House Committee on Higher Education
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2871 by González, Mary (Relating to the establishment of a program at the University of Texas at Austin to promote computer science education capacity in public schools.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2871, As Introduced : a negative impact of ($14,000,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2025.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2024
($7,000,000)
2025
($7,000,000)
2026
($7,000,000)
2027
($7,000,000)
2028
($7,000,000)
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2024
($7,000,000)
2025
($7,000,000)
2026
($7,000,000)
2027
($7,000,000)
2028
($7,000,000)
Fiscal Analysis
The bill requires The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) to design, develop and implement a program connecting local education agencies and institutions of higher education with computer science professional development resources provided by institutions of higher education, nonprofits, and other accredited providers. Under provisions of the bill, UT Austin would use appropriated funds to support the Computer Science Education Capacity Promotion Program.
The program will direct focus to public school campuses that lack a certified computer science educator as well as other underserved geographic locations and demographic communities. Funds may be used to recruit new educators to the field of computer science education as well as providing stipends to educators that receive new certifications.
Methodology
Based on information provided by The University of Texas System (System), the Computer Science Education Capacity Promotion Program would be operated through the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) at UT Austin. TACC does not currently receive General Revenue support from the State. UT Austin indicates that $5.0 million in General Revenue in each year of the biennium would be needed to design, develop and implement a system for connecting local education agencies and institutions of higher education with evidence-based and accredited computer science professional development resources provided by institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, or other accredited providers. These funds would be used to provide K-12 public school teachers resources to obtain a computer science teaching certification through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and education service centers. They would also allow TACC to provide professional development in coding, computational thinking, cybersecurity, and computer science education. These funds would further provide additional professional development for 600 educators to integrate computer science into K-8 core subjects, expand curriculum training for specific high school computer science courses (including Advanced Placement (“AP”) courses), and educate teachers in cybersecurity best practices, curriculum, and Industry Based Certifications that prepare their students for careers in the cybersecurity workforce. UT Austin reports that the remaining $2.0 million in General Revenue would be used to expand the capacity of the Computer Science Pipeline Initiative.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
720 The University of Texas System Administration, 781 Higher Education Coordinating Board