Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes high school students to take a computer science course in lieu of Algebra II to meet graduation requirements.

Highlights:

• Requires students to complete either 1 unit of algebra II or 1 unit of advanced computer science to graduate from any public or chartered nonpublic high school (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes high school students to apply 1 unit of instruction in computer science to satisfy 1 unit of mathematics or 1 unit of science (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits substituting a computer science course for a life sciences or biology course (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that colleges may still require algebra II for the purpose of admission (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that if a high school student applies more than 1 computer science course to satisfy curriculum requirements, the courses must be sequential and progressively more difficult or cover different subject areas within the field of computer science (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes school districts to adopt their own standards for computer science curriculum (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes schools to use private donations to support computer science programs and professional development related to those programs (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text