SF 3379

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 04/11/2025 09:50 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to education; establishing computer science standards; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2024, sections 120B.021, subdivisions 2, 3, by adding a subdivision;
120B.241, subdivision 2, by adding subdivisions.

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 the standards 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 teaching practices on how to reduce barriers to access, participation,
and experience in computer science classes including ensuring curriculum and course content
is accessible to individuals with disabilities.
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:
new text end

new text begin (i) criteria for what constitutes a high-quality 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; and
new text end

new text begin (7) 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