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HB329 ENROLLED
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HB329
PSL2XGG-3
By Representatives Faulkner, Collins, Baker, Hulsey, Colvin
RFD: Education Policy
First Read: 22-Jan-26
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First Read: 22-Jan-26
Enrolled, An Act,
Relating to public K-12 schools; to amend Sections
16-46B-1, 16-46B-2, and 16-46B-7, Code of Alabama 1975, to
expand the definition of computer science; to require all
Alabama public school students to complete an approved
computer science course as a requirement for graduation; and
to provide standards for approved computer science courses.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Sections 16-46B-1, 16-46B-2, and 16-46B-7,
Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to read as follows:
"§16-46B-1
For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms
shall have the following meanings:
(1) BOARD. The State Board of Education.
(2) COMPUTER SCIENCE. The study of computers and
algorithmic processes, including their principles, their
hardware and software designs, their implementation, and their
impact on society , and their emerging technologies, including,
but not limited to, artificial intelligence . Content should
focus on teaching students how to create new technologies, not
simply how to use technology.
(3) COMPUTER SCIENCE COURSES AND CONTENT. Courses that
teach computer science either as a standalone course
implementation implemented in middle and high schools, or, for
elementary school, integrated into other content areas.
(4) DEPARTMENT. The State Department of Education.
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(4) DEPARTMENT. The State Department of Education.
(5) ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Includes grades kindergarten to
six, inclusive.
(6) HIGH QUALITY PROFESSIONAL LEARNING. Professional
development activities that satisfy all of the following:
a. Clarify the conceptual foundations of computer
science.
b. Teach research-based practices, including hands-on
and inquiry-based learning.
c. Are intended for existing teachers, with or without
previous exposure to computer science.
(7) HIGH QUALITY PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PROVIDERS.
Institutions of higher education, nonprofits, or private
entities that have successfully designed, implemented, and
scaled high quality, evidence-based computer science
professional learning for teachers and recommended by the
superintendent and approved by the board.
(8) HIGH SCHOOL. Includes grades nine to 12, inclusive.
(9) MIDDLE SCHOOL. Includes grades seven and eight.
(10) PUBLIC SCHOOL. Includes public K-12 elementary
schools, middle schools, and high schools.
(11) SUPERINTENDENT. The State Superintendent of
Education."
"§16-46B-2
(a)(1) Beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, each
public high school shall offer at least one authentic computer
science course from a department-approved list.
(2) Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, each public
middle school shall offer instruction in middle school
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middle school shall offer instruction in middle school
computer science courses approved by the department.
(3) Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, each public
elementary school shall offer instruction on the basics of
computer science and computational thinking.
(b) A computer science course or instruction in
computer science offered by a public school shall satisfy all
of the following:
(1) Be of high quality, as defined by the department.
(2) Meet or exceed the standards and curriculum
requirements, as they relate to authentic computer science,
established by the board in the state course of study for
digital literacy and computer science pursuant to Section
16-35-4 and be on the approved list of computer science
courses.
(c) A computer science course offered by a public high
school should be offered through an in-person setting and
shall be offered as a virtual or distance learning course
option only when an in-person classroom setting is not
practicable. A rationale for using the virtual or distance
learning option shall be included in the annual report.
(d) Beginning with public school students who will
graduate during the 2031-2032 school year, the department
shall ensure that all approved computer science courses and
content that meet graduation requirements pursuant to Section
16-46B-7, shall include, but not be limited to, instruction in
the concepts of computer science as defined in Section
16-46B-1.
(e) The enforcement of this section shall comply with
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(e) The enforcement of this section shall comply with
Section 16-1-11.1."
"§16-46B-7
(a) Before June 30, 2020, and in accordance with
Section 16-35-4, the department shall identify approved
computer science courses that may fulfill one unit of academic
credit for any mathematics or science course for high school
graduation.
(b) Beginning with the graduating class of 2021, for
the purposes of high school graduation requirements and
satisfying mathematics or science freshman admission
requirements for a public institution of higher education
physically located in this state, as determined by the
institution of higher education, a computer science course
successfully completed under subsection (a) shall be
equivalent to either of the following:
(1) One mathematics course credit.
(2) One science course credit.
(c)(1) Beginning with the graduating class of 2032, all
public school students shall demonstrate digital literacy by
earning at least one credit in a department-approved, high
school or college-level computer science course, or by
completing a department-approved course with embedded computer
science skills and experiences. The department shall develop
and publish a set of minimum standards that must be taught in
every course with embedded computer science skills and
experiences. The department shall publish a list of high
school or college-level computer science courses and courses
with embedded computer science skills and experiences that
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with embedded computer science skills and experiences that
have been approved and meet the minimum standards required.
This requirement shall not result in an increase in the number
of credits required for graduation.
(2) Each computer science credit earned may fulfill any
one of the following, as determined by the local
superintendent of education:
a. One mathematics course credit.
b. One science course credit.
c. One career and technical education course credit.
d. One elective credit.
(3) Mathematics course credits and science course
credits may only be replaced by department-approved computer
science courses if the public school student is earning a
general education diploma, which requires the completion of
both four mathematics course credits and four science course
credits.
(4) Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year,
completion of a computer science course shall not count as a
college and career readiness indicator unless the course
satisfies the requirements of another college and career
readiness indicator, such as attaining career and technical
education completer status or earning a qualifying score on an
Advanced Placement exam. "
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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1, 2026.
________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Representatives
________________________________________________
President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
House of Representatives
I hereby certify that the within Act originated in and
was passed by the House 12-Feb-26, as amended.
John Treadwell
Clerk
Senate 07-Apr-26 Passed
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