HF 759

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/13/2023 06:56pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; providing for computer science education advancement;
authorizing rulemaking.

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

Section 1. new text begin COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION ADVANCEMENT FUND.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) "Computer science" means the study of computers and
algorithmic processes, including their principles, their hardware and software designs, their
implementation, and their impact on society.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Computer science courses and content" means courses at:
new text end

new text begin (1) elementary and middle schools that teach computer science as standalone
implementations or embedded in other subjects; and
new text end

new text begin (2) high schools that teach computer science as standalone courses and focus on teaching
students how to create new technologies.
new text end

new text begin (c) "High-quality computer science educator training" means activities that:
new text end

new text begin (1) clarify the conceptual foundations of computer science;
new text end

new text begin (2) teach research-based practices, including hands-on and inquiry-based learning;
new text end

new text begin (3) are primarily intended for existing teachers with or without prior exposure to computer
science with options for advanced training for teachers; and
new text end

new text begin (4) align to existing integrated computer science standards in Minnesota or nationally
recognized standards, including the Computer Science Teachers' Association's kindergarten
through grade 12 computer science education standards.
new text end

new text begin (d) "High-quality computer science professional learning providers" means institutions
of higher education, nonprofits, other state-funded entities, or private entities that have
successfully designed, implemented, and scaled high-quality computer science professional
learning for teachers as defined in paragraph (c).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Funding. new text end

new text begin (a) The computer science education advancement fund is established.
new text end

new text begin (b) The Minnesota computer science education advancement fund shall be a direct
appropriation from the state treasury general fund at no less than $4,000,000 each fiscal
year beginning in 2024.
new text end

new text begin (c) Eligible uses of the computer science education advancement fund include:
new text end

new text begin (1) expenses related to the implementation of any provisions found within this act; and
new text end

new text begin (2) expenses related to the development, advancement, and promotion of kindergarten
through grade 12 computer science education and approved by the commissioner of
education.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Computer science education supervisor and advisory committee. new text end

new text begin (a) The
Department of Education shall create a full-time computer science supervisor position. The
computer science supervisor shall be dedicated to the implementation of this act and the
implementation of the computer science education strategic plan.
new text end

new text begin (b) The Department of Education shall establish a computer science education advisory
committee to develop a state strategic plan for long-term and sustained growth of computer
science education in all kindergarten through grade 12 public schools and public charter
schools.
new text end

new text begin (c) Public members of the advisory committee may be compensated and reimbursed for
expenses in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin (d) Meetings of the advisory committee are subject to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law
under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13D.
new text end

new text begin (e) The computer science education advisory committee shall consist of the following
members:
new text end

new text begin (1) one member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house
and one member appointed by the minority leader of the house;
new text end

new text begin (2) one senator appointed by the senate majority leader and one senator appointed by
the senate minority leader;
new text end

new text begin (3) one member appointed by the governor;
new text end

new text begin (4) the commissioner of education or the commissioner's designee;
new text end

new text begin (5) the commissioner of higher education or the commissioner's designee;
new text end

new text begin (6) one representative of the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board;
new text end

new text begin (7) one representative of the Computer Science Teachers' Association of Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (8) one representative from the business community;
new text end

new text begin (9) one representative from the Minnesota Technology Association;
new text end

new text begin (10) one representative from a nonprofit organization working with students and teachers
in computer science;
new text end

new text begin (11) one representative from the Minnesota Association for School Administrators;
new text end

new text begin (12) one representative from Education Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (13) one representative from the Minnesota Association of Colleges for Teacher
Education;
new text end

new text begin (14) one representative from CSforAll Minnesota; and
new text end

new text begin (15) one computer science teacher from the seven-county metropolitan area and one
computer science teacher from outside the seven-county metropolitan area.
new text end

new text begin (f) The computer science education advisory committee shall develop a state strategic
plan for a statewide computer science education program, including the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) a statement of purpose that describes the objectives or goals the Department of
Education will accomplish by implementing a computer science education program, the
strategies by which those goals will be achieved, and a timeline for achieving those goals;
new text end

new text begin (2) a summary of the current state landscape for kindergarten through grade 12 computer
science education, including diversity of students taking these courses;
new text end

new text begin (3) the creation or expansion of flexible options to license computer science teachers,
which may include approval codes, technical permits, ancillary licenses, and standard
licenses;
new text end

new text begin (4) a description of how the state will support the expansion of computer science
education opportunities in every public school and public charter school in the state within
five years, with a focus on ensuring equitable access;
new text end

new text begin (5) identifying high-quality computer science professional learning providers for teachers;
new text end

new text begin (6) an ongoing evaluation process that is overseen by the Department of Education;
new text end

new text begin (7) proposed rules that incorporate the principles of the state strategic plan into the state's
public education system as a whole;
new text end

new text begin (8) recommendations for long-term expansion and sustainability of computer science
education, including:
new text end

new text begin (i) implementation of a requirement that every kindergarten through grade 12 public
school and public charter school employs at least one certified or endorsed computer science
teacher, which may be met through multiple Department of Education approved processes
for certification and endorsement, including but not limited to endorsing a certified teacher
endorsed in another subject area;
new text end

new text begin (ii) implementation of a high school computer science graduation requirement with an
appropriate timeline;
new text end

new text begin (iii) the development of standalone kindergarten through grade 12 standards for computer
science;
new text end

new text begin (iv) training preservice teachers in computer science education; and
new text end

new text begin (v) college admission requirements for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities taking
into account computer science credits; and
new text end

new text begin (9) a description of existing gaps in computer science education access, participation,
and success by geography and subgroup of students and a description of how to equitably
address these gaps.
new text end

new text begin (g) By December 31, 2023, the Department of Education shall publish the proposed
state strategic plan for public feedback.
new text end

new text begin (h) By February 28, 2024, the Department of Education shall present the adopted state
strategic plan described in paragraph (c) to the chairs of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over education.
new text end

new text begin (i) The commissioner of education, or the commissioner of education's designee, may
approve updates and changes to the state strategic plan described in paragraph (c) as necessary
for the successful implementation of kindergarten through grade 12 computer science
education.
new text end

new text begin (j) The Department of Education shall update the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over education on all changes to the strategic plan described in paragraph (c) approved by
the commissioner of education's designee since the last presentation to each respective
entity.
new text end

new text begin (k) The computer science education advisory committee expires on February 28, 2024.
The committee may remain operational for an additional two years at the discretion of the
commissioner of education.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Computer science educator training. new text end

new text begin (a) Funding from the computer science
education advancement fund shall be used by the Department of Education to develop and
implement, or award grants or subcontract with eligible entities, for the development and
implementation of high-quality, coordinated teacher recruitment and educator training
programs for the required computer science courses and content as defined in subdivision
1 and aligned to the state strategic plan as developed under subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin (b) For the purposes of this subdivision, eligible entities include:
new text end

new text begin (1) a consortium of local educational agencies in the state; and
new text end

new text begin (2) high-quality computer science professional learning providers, including institutions
of higher education in the state, nonprofits, other state-funded entities, or private entities
working in partnership with a consortium of local educational agencies.
new text end

new text begin (c) For purposes of this subdivision, eligible uses of funding include:
new text end

new text begin (1) high-quality professional learning opportunities for kindergarten through grade 12
computer science content that:
new text end

new text begin (i) are created and delivered in a consistent manner across the state;
new text end

new text begin (ii) are made available with no out-of-pocket expenses to educators, including teachers,
counselors, administrators, and other district employees as approved by the Department of
Education, schools, and school districts;
new text end

new text begin (iii) are made available asynchronously online, in person, and online or hybrid as
determined appropriate by the Department of Education;
new text end

new text begin (iv) include introductory, intermediate, and advanced trainings aligned to the kindergarten
through grade 12 academic standards or, as necessary, other standards approved by the
Department of Education, specified for each of the grade bands kindergarten through grade
2, grades 3 to 5, grades 6 to 8, and grades 9 to 12;
new text end

new text begin (v) include Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles, Advanced Placement
Computer Science A trainings, and concurrent enrollment credit computer science courses;
and
new text end

new text begin (vi) are reasonably accessible geographically to all Minnesota educators;
new text end

new text begin (2) travel expenses for kindergarten through grade 12 computer science teachers:
new text end

new text begin (i) for attending training opportunities under clause (1); and
new text end

new text begin (ii) deemed appropriate and approved by the commissioner of education, or the
commissioner of education's designee;
new text end

new text begin (3) any future credentialing for kindergarten through grade 12 computer science teachers,
including Career and Technical Education and academic endorsements;
new text end

new text begin (4) supports for kindergarten through grade 12 computer science professional learning,
including mentoring and coaching;
new text end

new text begin (5) creation and deployment of resources to promote training opportunities and
recruitment of kindergarten through grade 12 computer science teachers;
new text end

new text begin (6) creation or purchase of resources to support implementation approved by the
commissioner of education or the commissioner of education's designee;
new text end

new text begin (7) creation and deployment of resources to promote learning opportunities or recruit
students to engage in the learning opportunities; and
new text end

new text begin (8) employ, or grant for employment of, personnel or contractors to oversee the statewide
initiative, develop programs and trainings, and deliver training opportunities under clause
(1).
new text end

new text begin (d) As a condition of receiving any funding through grants or subcontracts, eligible
entities must submit an application to the Department of Education. The application must,
at a minimum, address how the entity will:
new text end

new text begin (1) reach new and existing teachers with little to no computer science background;
new text end

new text begin (2) attract and support educators from schools that do not have established computer
science education programs;
new text end

new text begin (3) use research- or evidence-based practices for high-quality professional development;
new text end

new text begin (4) focus the professional learning on the conceptual foundations of computer science;
new text end

new text begin (5) reach and support subgroups underrepresented in computer science;
new text end

new text begin (6) provide teachers with concrete experience through hands-on, inquiry-based practices;
new text end

new text begin (7) accommodate the particular teacher and students needs in each district and school;
and
new text end

new text begin (8) ensure that participating districts must begin offering courses or content within the
same or subsequent school year after the teacher receives the professional learning.
new text end

new text begin (e) The Department of Education shall prioritize the following applications:
new text end

new text begin (1) consortiums of local educational agencies that are working in partnership with
providers of high-quality professional learning for kindergarten through grade 12 computer
science;
new text end

new text begin (2) proposals that describe strategies to increase enrollment overall, including but not
limited to subgroups of students that are traditionally underrepresented in computer science;
and
new text end

new text begin (3) proposals from rural or urban areas with a low penetration of kindergarten through
grade 12 computer science offerings, including local education consortiums within these
areas.
new text end

new text begin (f) Any funds remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not revert to the
credit of the general revenue and remain available for use by the commissioner of education.
new text end

new text begin (g) The award recipient shall report, for all funding received under this act annually, at
a minimum:
new text end

new text begin (1) the number of teachers:
new text end

new text begin (i) trained within each of elementary, middle, and high school; and
new text end

new text begin (ii) trained within each training offering as outlined in paragraph (c), clause (1), items
(iv) and (v);
new text end

new text begin (2) students reached;
new text end

new text begin (3) the number and percent of students reached in all computer science courses
disaggregated by gender, race, ethnicity, free and reduced-price lunch status, Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act status, 504 status, and English language learner status;
new text end

new text begin (4) the number and percent of students with passing advanced placement (AP) exam
scores for high school AP computer science courses disaggregated by gender, race, ethnicity,
free and reduced-price lunch status, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act status, 504
status, and English language learner status, once that data is available; and
new text end

new text begin (5) the number of teachers, and percentage of teachers trained, that started implementing
computer science courses limited to middle and high school implementation.
new text end

new text begin (h) The Department of Education shall make these reports public. The publicly released
data shall not include student-level personally identifiable information.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Making computer science count. new text end

new text begin (a) By December 31, 2023, the Department
of Education shall develop a high school graduation policy that allows students:
new text end

new text begin (1) to fulfill a maximum of one credit in mathematics for computer science courses
approved by the Department of Education to meet a math graduation requirement. The
Department of Education shall approve at least one computer science course to meet a math
graduation requirement;
new text end

new text begin (2) to fulfill a maximum of one credit in science, only for computer science courses
approved by the Department of Education to meet a math graduation requirement. The
Department of Education shall approve at least one computer science course to meet a
science graduation requirement, and this course shall be a different course than the course
approved by the Department of Education to meet a math graduation requirement. A computer
science course may not replace a student's requirement to complete biology;
new text end

new text begin (3) to fulfill any number of the state or district elective credit requirements with computer
science courses. The Department of Education shall approve at least five computer science
courses to meet the elective credit requirements, which shall include the course approved
to meet a math graduation requirement and the course approved to meet a science graduation
requirement;
new text end

new text begin (4) to enroll in multiple computer science courses to meet math, science, and elective
credits. One course may not be used to meet more than one graduation requirement.
new text end

new text begin (b) Beginning with the graduating class of 2025, any student will be eligible to receive
a math, science, or elective credit for the student's computer science course.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Incentives for teacher preparation. new text end

new text begin (a) On and after July 1, 2027, any program
of teacher preparation leading to professional certification shall include, as part of the
curriculum, instruction in computer science as applied to student learning and classroom
instruction that are grade-level and subject-area appropriate.
new text end

new text begin (b) The Office of Higher Education shall use appropriated funds to support eligible
preservice education programs in the state to develop and implement pathways in computer
science education. The pathways shall prepare an enrolled preservice teacher to add any
future certification to teach computer science education to their intended major and area of
certification. The pathways shall be open to preservice teachers at both secondary and
elementary levels, and may include collaborations among schools of computer science,
schools of education, and nonprofit organizations.
new text end

new text begin (c) Of the funds made available for the computer science education advancement fund:
new text end

new text begin (1) no less than $100,000 shall be reserved for the purposes of preservice education
programs as described in paragraph (b); and
new text end

new text begin (2) any funds that remain unallocated by February 1 of the following fiscal year shall
be returned to the computer science education advancement fund.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Kindergarten through grade 12 data collection system and mandated
reporting. new text end

new text begin (a) The Department of Education shall develop a plan to allow for the secure
and automatic regular reporting of data and information from all kindergarten through grade
12 public schools and public charter schools.
new text end

new text begin (b) The data collection process described in paragraph (a) shall include but not be limited
to:
new text end

new text begin (1) sufficient data to determine daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semesterly, and yearly
attendance, absentee, and enrollment numbers; and
new text end

new text begin (2) sufficient course enrollment data disaggregated by gender, race, ethnicity, free and
reduced-price lunch status, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act status, 504 status,
and English language learner status.
new text end

new text begin (c) The plan described in paragraph (a) shall include:
new text end

new text begin (1) a timeline for and identified supports to ensure full implementation of all kindergarten
through grade 12 public schools and public charter schools by the 2024-2025 school year;
new text end

new text begin (2) identification of mechanisms to ensure compliance with the daily reporting
requirements by all kindergarten through grade 12 public schools and public charter schools
beginning with the 2024-2025 school year and continuing thereafter; and
new text end

new text begin (3) methods for making aggregated data publicly available.
new text end

new text begin (d) By December 31, 2023, the Department of Education shall publish the proposed data
collection plan for public feedback.
new text end

new text begin (e) By February 28, 2024, the Department of Education shall present the adopted state
data collection plan described in paragraph (a) to the chairs of the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over education.
new text end

new text begin (f) In cases of documented and reported systems failures, daily reporting requirements
shall be considered met if all data reported using the secure and automated process developed
under this subdivision are submitted no more than 30 calendar days after the date of the last
submission. By July 30 annually, the Department of Education shall publish a list of all
schools that did not comply with the daily reporting requirements and all reported systems
failures.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Adoption of rules. new text end

new text begin The Department of Education and Professional Educator
Standards and Licensing Board may adopt rules to administer the computer science education
advancement fund, including rules for flexible options to license computer science teachers,
approval codes, technical permits, ancillary licenses, and standard licenses.
new text end