Computer science courses would be strengthened and improved in schools statewide
under a bill introduced in the House Monday by Rep. Drew Hansen, D-Bainbridge Island.
“We have employers like Avalara, Paladin and the U.S. Navy who need computer science professionals,” Hansen said. “This bill helps students get the skills they need for good-paying jobs in the software industry.”
Hansen’s House bill 1472 calls for:
– School boards to approve an AP computer science course as equivalent to a math course, including for purposes of meeting math graduation requirements for high school (AP = advanced placement).
– State education officials to provide grants to school districts that partner with computer-science professionals as course co-instructors (subject to the availability of funding).
– The state’s workforce development board to map out a strategy for increasing the number of high-school and college computer-science grads, by means of a task force that will include representatives from business and education.
The House Education Committee will consider the proposal before it goes to the full House.