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Bill would push State Board to review computer science and financial education for graduation framework
Summary
Substitute Senate Bill 5,327 directs the State Board of Education and OSPI to review and identify foundational computer science and financial education standards for possible inclusion in graduation requirements and to report recommendations by Dec. 31, 2026.
Substitute Senate Bill 5,327 would require the State Board of Education to include, at minimum, recommendations for adjustments to ensure students have adequate opportunities to demonstrate foundational competencies from high school computer science and state financial education learning standards when reviewing graduation requirement changes.
Ethan Moreno, committee staff, said the bill asks the State Board to consult widely, consider credit and competency‑based options, and report recommendations to the governor and the education committees by Dec. 31, 2026. The bill also directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to initiate reviews and updates of the computer science standards (K–12) and the state financial education learning standards and to identify any standards considered foundational for graduation purposes.
Alyssa Mueller of the State Board of Education testified in support, saying the bill aligns with the board's Future Ready initiative and the board's planned review of graduation requirements. Business and pathway providers told the committee that increased access to computer science education would help align student skills with labor market demand; Nora Palatow Bernas of Pearson Edexcel emphasized Washington's tech sector and the need for teacher support and classroom resources.
Questions from committee members addressed timing, compatibility with recently passed financial education legislation, and the existing OSPI schedule for standards review. Staff said the OSPI regularly reviews standards and will provide details on schedule; the bill seeks to ensure the State Board explicitly considers how foundational skills in financial education and computer science could be incorporated into the graduation framework.
The bill also requires the State Board to collect district data on current course offerings and assessments related to both subjects and to report summaries to the legislature by Dec. 30, 2026. No vote occurred at the hearing.
