HF 2905

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 04/21/2025 01:47 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to education; establishing computer science grants; encouraging local
computer science standards; requiring rulemaking; appropriating money; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 120B.021, subdivisions 2, 3, by adding a
subdivision; 120B.241, subdivision 2, by adding subdivisions; 122A.187, by adding
a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 120B;
122A.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.021, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 1b. new text end

new text begin Computer science. new text end

new text begin A district is encouraged to adopt local computer science
standards aligned with the computer science framework developed by the Department of
Education. A district may adopt the computer science standards developed by the Department
of Education when they are available.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.021, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Standards development.

(a) The commissioner must consider advice from at
least the following stakeholders in developing statewide rigorous core academic standards
in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, including history, geography,
economics, government and citizenship, health, new text begin computer science, new text end and the arts:

(1) parents of school-age children and members of the public throughout the state;

(2) teachers throughout the state currently licensed and providing instruction in language
arts, mathematics, science, social studies, health, or the arts and licensed elementary and
secondary school principals throughout the state currently administering a school site;

(3) currently serving members of local school boards and charter school boards throughout
the state;

(4) faculty teaching core subjects at postsecondary institutions in Minnesota;

(5) representatives of the Minnesota business community;

(6) representatives from the Tribal Nations Education Committee and Tribal Nations
and communities in Minnesota, including both Anishinaabe and Dakota; and

(7) current students, with input from the Minnesota Youth Council.

(b) Academic standards must:

(1) be clear, concise, objective, measurable, and grade-level appropriate;

(2) not require a specific teaching methodology or curriculum; and

(3) be consistent with the Constitutions of the United States and the state of Minnesota.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.021, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Rulemaking.

(a) The commissioner, consistent with the requirements of this
section and section 120B.022, must adopt statewide rules under section 14.389 for
implementing statewide rigorous core academic standards in language arts, mathematics,
science, social studies, physical education, and the arts.

(b) The commissioner must adopt statewide rules for implementing statewide rigorous
core academic standards in health.

new text begin (c) The commissioner is not required to adopt statewide rules for computer science
standards.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.241, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Computer science education supervisor.

The Department of Education must
employ a computer science supervisor dedicated to:

(1) the implementation of this section and the implementation of the computer science
education strategic plan developed by the working group under subdivision 3;

(2) outreach to districts that need additional supports to create or advance their computer
science programs new text begin , including guidance on adopting and using the computer science framework
under subdivision 8 new text end ; and

(3) supporting districts in using existing and available resources for districts to create
and advance their computer science programs.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.241, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Framework. new text end

new text begin By July 1, 2026, the Department of Education must adopt a
computer science framework to guide districts' development and implementation of computer
science education in kindergarten through grade 12. The framework must:
new text end

new text begin (1) define computer science and identify skills computer science instruction should
include at different grade levels;
new text end

new text begin (2) provide guidance to districts on how to implement the framework; and
new text end

new text begin (3) recommend equitable teaching practices on how to reduce barriers to access,
participation, and experience in computer science classes for historically excluded student
groups, including:
new text end

new text begin (i) using data to identify strategies to recruit underrepresented populations into computer
science programs;
new text end

new text begin (ii) ensuring curriculum and course content is accessible to individuals with disabilities;
and
new text end

new text begin (iii) developing plans to increase the number of female and racial and ethnic minority
students participating in computer science.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.241, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Plan implementation. new text end

new text begin By July 1, 2027, the Department of Education must
develop a plan to increase awareness of the computer science state strategic plan throughout
implementation of the plan, and take the following steps toward implementation of the
strategic plan:
new text end

new text begin (1) implement a data collection plan for school districts to retrieve an accurate count of
access, participation, and success in computer science education across kindergarten through
grade 12;
new text end

new text begin (2) define key performance indicators and success measures of computer science
education in Minnesota, such as participation in computer science by key student
demographics, the number of qualified teachers to teach computer science, and the number
of schools teaching computer science;
new text end

new text begin (3) develop a strategy for professional learning that includes learning for teachers, school
administrators, school counselors, paraprofessionals, special education specialists, and other
education support personnel around computer science. The strategy must include the
following:
new text end

new text begin (i) criteria for what constitutes a high-quality, culturally responsive program of
professional learning;
new text end

new text begin (ii) an evaluative tool or series of rubrics school districts can use to vet and recommend
computer science professional learning programs; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) recommendations on how to align professional learning with both integrated and
standalone computer science instruction separately;
new text end

new text begin (4) provide recommendations for how to expand computer science access to schools
that serve rural populations and low-income populations;
new text end

new text begin (5) provide recommendations for how to ensure access to computer science for the Tribal
Nations and Indigenous communities of Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (6) align career and technical education frameworks developed by the department with
the framework under subdivision 8, and with secondary education and career pathways in
the computer science field;
new text end

new text begin (7) plan and support the creation of region-based communities of learning to provide
support to school districts and educators in learning about the needs and cultural assets of
their communities. The region-based communities of learning must inform diverse approaches
to computer science and support districts in developing and implementing computer science
education plans and applying for funding and grants; and
new text end

new text begin (8) research the viability and effectiveness of creating an online computer science resource
hub that includes but is not limited to resources for teaching, curriculum, and learning
communities.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.241, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Standards. new text end

new text begin Following development of the framework under subdivision 8,
the department must use the standards development process under section 120B.021 to
develop academic standards in computer science. A school district is not required to
implement the state standards.
new text end

Sec. 8.

new text begin [120B.2413] COMPUTER SCIENCE PLAN GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Plan development. new text end

new text begin (a) The Department of Education must award
competitive grants to school districts or charter schools that do not offer instruction in
computer science to develop comprehensive computer science plans. A district or charter
school must use grant funds to develop a plan that:
new text end

new text begin (1) describes how the district intends to integrate computer science into curriculum or
course offerings in kindergarten through grade 12;
new text end

new text begin (2) identifies strategies to encourage students from groups historically underrepresented
in computer science to enroll in computer science courses;
new text end

new text begin (3) identifies supports needed to enhance computer science teacher capacity, skills, and
learning; and
new text end

new text begin (4) identifies funding sources to sustain computer science offerings in future school
years.
new text end

new text begin (b) A plan may include strategies to provide leadership training, curriculum enhancement,
partnership engagement, or industry involvement to enhance computer science programs.
new text end

new text begin (c) A grant applicant must submit an application in the form and manner determined by
the commissioner. A grant recipient must submit a plan to the department by June 30, 2027.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Plan implementation. new text end

new text begin (a) The Department of Education must award competitive
grants to school districts or charter schools to implement computer science plans that meet
the requirements for plans under subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin (b) A grant applicant must submit an application in the form and manner determined by
the commissioner, and must include a copy of the plan to be implemented. The department
must prioritize grant awards for applicants that:
new text end

new text begin (1) have a plan that describes how the applicant will ensure every student in kindergarten
through grade 8 receives instruction in computer science;
new text end

new text begin (2) have a plan that describes how the applicant will ensure computer science is offered
to all high school students;
new text end

new text begin (3) have a plan with strategies to reduce disparities in participation in and experience of
computer science among students historically underrepresented in computer science; or
new text end

new text begin (4) intend to use grant money to serve school sites that serve fewer than 500 students.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 122A.187, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Computer science. new text end

new text begin The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board
must adopt rules requiring all licensed teachers renewing their license under sections
122A.181 to 122A.184 to include in the renewal requirements professional development in
foundational computer science concepts.
new text end

Sec. 10.

new text begin [122A.632] COMPUTER SCIENCE TEACHERS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Teacher preparation programs. new text end

new text begin (a) The Professional Educator Licensing
and Standards Board must award competitive grants to board-approved teacher preparation
program providers to establish computer science teacher licensure programs or integrate
computer science into existing teacher preparation programs that lead to initial or additional
licensure. An applicant for a grant under this section must submit an application in the form
and manner determined by the board.
new text end

new text begin (b) An application for a grant to add computer science to an existing licensure program
must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) an initial plan for integrating computer science in grade level and subject areas aligned
to state academic standards in science, mathematics, and other areas; and
new text end

new text begin (2) documentation of educator expertise in kindergarten through grade 12 computer
science aligned to the computer science benchmarks in subject standards, computer science
license, or a plan for how teacher educators will gain that expertise.
new text end

new text begin (c) An application for a grant to establish a teacher preparation program that leads to
licensure in computer science must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) a plan for submitting a request for initial program approval to the board;
new text end

new text begin (2) documentation of educator expertise in kindergarten through grade 12 computer
science aligned to the computer science license or a plan for how teacher educators will
gain that expertise;
new text end

new text begin (3) a plan for sustainability of the program after the grant period; and
new text end

new text begin (4) the number and demographics of teacher candidates impacted by the program.
new text end

new text begin (d) A teacher preparation provider that receives a grant under this section must report
to the board on the computer science content being taught in teacher preparation programs
and the number of teachers impacted.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Candidate support. new text end

new text begin (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards
Board must develop a program to support teachers earning licensure in computer science
through a portfolio or exam process. The board must also conduct a needs assessment to
understand the feasibility of a microcredential to support licensure in computer science.
new text end

new text begin (b) The program of support must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) offering a course at no cost to teachers to prepare for a board-adopted assessment in
computer science; and
new text end

new text begin (2) support for completing a portfolio to earn a license in computer science, including:
new text end

new text begin (i) a yearlong mentorship program;
new text end

new text begin (ii) quarterly meetings where applicants receive guidance on completing the portfolio
process from a portfolio liaison with computer science content expertise, dedicated
specifically to facilitating this program;
new text end

new text begin (iii) a stipend to cover substitute teachers when meetings take place during the school
day; and
new text end

new text begin (iv) a waiver for all portfolio and licensure testing fees.
new text end

Sec. 11. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS; COMPUTER SCIENCE IMPLEMENTATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin The sums indicated in this section are
appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education in the fiscal years
designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Computer science plan grants. new text end

new text begin (a) For grants to school districts or charter
schools to develop or implement comprehensive computer science plans in accordance with
Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.2413:
new text end

	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2026 new text end
	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2027 new text end

new text begin (b) Of this amount, $....... is for grants for plan development under Minnesota Statutes,
section 120B.2413, subdivision 1, and $....... is for grants for plan implementation under
Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.2413, subdivision 2. The department may retain up to ...
percent to administer the grant.
new text end

new text begin (c) This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

Sec. 12. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS; COMPUTER SCIENCE TEACHER GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. new text end

new text begin The sums
indicated in this section are appropriated from the general fund to the Professional Educator
Licensing and Standards Board in the fiscal years designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Computer science teachers preparation programs. new text end

new text begin For grants to approved
teacher preparation program providers in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section
122A.632, subdivision 1:
new text end

	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2026 new text end
	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2027 new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Computer science teacher support programs. new text end

new text begin To support a licensure pathway
program for computer science teachers under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.632,
subdivision 2:
new text end

	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 20.. new text end
	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 20.. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Computer science teacher licensure incentive. new text end

new text begin (a) To provide stipends of
$1,000 per teacher to teachers newly earning a teaching license in computer science:
new text end

	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 20.. new text end
	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 20.. new text end

new text begin (b) This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end