House Bill 170, which comes into effect on March 23, 2018, sets guidelines for the implementation of computer science instruction in high school academic programs.
The act requires the Ohio Department of Education to set academic standards for computer science instruction and to create a model curriculum for such instruction by the end of the year – i.e., December 31, 2018. The act authorizes schools to adopt this curriculum but does not require it.
Additionally, the act lays out a general guideline for schools wishing to provide computer science instruction. Computer science has been added as an optional subject in the minimum high school curriculum for public school. The act also permits students to substitute one credit of math or science for one credit of computer science, with the exception that life science/biology cannot be substituted. Alternatively, the act allows computer science to be an elective unit of instruction.
The act establishes the requirements for qualification to teach computer science. To teach a computer science course, a teacher must meet one of the following standards:
- Hold an educator license in computer science,
- Hold a license endorsement for computer science and pass a content examination, or
- Qualify for a supplemental teaching license.
A supplemental teaching license is available for any teacher with a valid educator license who passes a content examination on computer science and who wishes to advance to a standard educator license after two years teaching with the supplemental license.
The Final Bill Analysis of House Bill 170 can be found here.
Authors: Matthew John Markling, Patrick Vrobel, and John Sulik.
Note: This blog entry does not constitute – nor does it contain – legal advice. Legal jurisprudence is like the always changing Midwestern weather. As a result, this single blog entry cannot substitute for consultation with a McGown & Markling attorney. If legal advice is needed with respect to a specific factual situation, please feel free to contact a McGown & Markling attorney.