AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM (Directs the council on elementary and secondary education to develop recommendations for a high school curriculum to prepare students for successful postsecondary education and careers in computer science.)

H7117

2026 -- H 7117
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

Introduced By:
Representatives J. Lombardi, Hull, and Cruz

Date Introduced:
January 15, 2026

Referred To:
House Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 16-22 of the General Laws entitled "Curriculum [See Title 16
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Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding thereto the
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following sections:
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16-22-39. Recommendations on the development of computer science curriculum.
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(a) The council on elementary and secondary education ("council") shall develop
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recommendations on a computer science curriculum to prepare students for successful
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postsecondary education and careers in computer science, information technology, and related
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fields. In developing these recommendations, the council shall consider policies and practices that
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are designed to increase access to high-quality educational experiences that help more students
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obtain careers in these fields.
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(b) The council's recommendations shall identify:
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(1) High school courses in computer science, including computer coding and computer
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programming, of sufficient rigor that may be used to satisfy admissions requirements at state
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colleges and universities, including requirements for mathematics and science;
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(2) Common academic and technical skills needed for students to meet projected labor
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market demands in computer science, information technology, and related fields in and outside of
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the state;
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(3) How middle and high school students, including underrepresented and nontraditional
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students, can be encouraged to pursue further studies and careers in computer science, information

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technology, and related fields;
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(4) Secondary course sequences which prepare students to succeed in postsecondary
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educational programs in computer science, information technology, and related fields;
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(5) Gaps in current policy, curricula, programs, and practices at the state, school district,
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and postsecondary level which inhibit students from pursuing advanced studies and careers in
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computer science, information technology, and related fields;
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(6) Appropriate educator qualifications and computer science pedagogy to maintain
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technologically current instructional knowledge and practices in teacher preparation programs; and
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(7) Common definitions for terms related to computer science, including terms such as
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"computer coding" and "computer programming," for consistent use across both the Rhode Island
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kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) education system and the state's postsecondary education
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system.
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(c) By December 31, 2027, the council shall report its recommendations to the board of
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education, the governor, and the general assembly.
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16-22-40. Computer science and technology instruction.
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(a) By June 30, 2028, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education
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("commissioner") shall develop academic standards for a computer science high school curriculum,
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including standards and benchmarks for computer coding and computer programming, and identify
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high school-level courses which incorporate those standards and prepare students for postsecondary
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success in computer science, information technology, and related fields. In developing these
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standards, the commissioner shall consider and incorporate the recommendations made by the
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council on elementary and secondary education pursuant to §16-22-30, to the fullest extent the
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commissioner deems practicable.
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(b) The courses in the computer science curriculum should, to the extent academically
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feasible, enable a student to utilize computer science courses to meet mathematics, and science
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admission requirements at the state colleges and universities, including the Community College of
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Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode Island.
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(c) If a school district does not offer a course identified by the commissioner pursuant to
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subsections (a) and (b) of this section, that district shall provide students access to the course
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through a virtual school or education program, an online program, or through other means.
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(d) If a student is enrolled in an identified course that satisfies a mathematics, or science
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admissions requirement for a state postsecondary school, including the Community College of
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Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode Island, the school district shall
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notify the student that they should contact any private in-state or out-of-state public or private

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postsecondary institution to which that student is applying and inquire whether the course credit
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satisfies any of the institution's admissions requirements.
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(e) The commissioner shall annually report to the council on elementary and secondary
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education, the governor, and the general assembly on:
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(1) The courses identified by the commissioner that meet the academic standards for
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computer science;
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(2) The number of students, by district, including all public schools and charter public
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schools, who are enrolled in courses identified by the commissioner that meet the academic
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standards for computer science; and
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(3) The number of teachers, educators and other individuals who hold a valid educator
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certificate in computer science or a related field.
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(f) The council on elementary and secondary education shall consult with the board of

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education and school districts to develop strategies for recruiting qualified teachers to provide
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computer science instruction, updating computer science educator certification requirements,
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providing appropriate professional development to maintain technologically current instructional
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knowledge and practices in the school districts, and identifying and streamlining traditional and
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alternative pathways toward computer science educator certification.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM
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This act would direct the council on elementary and secondary education to develop
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recommendations for a high school curriculum to prepare students for successful postsecondary
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education and careers in computer science. The act would also direct the commissioner of
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elementary and secondary education to consider the council's recommendations and develop
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academic standards for a computer science high school curriculum. The courses in the computer
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science curriculum should, to the extent academically feasible, enable a student to utilize computer
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science courses to meet mathematics and science admission requirements at the state's colleges and
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universities.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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