Pilot program proposed to expand computer‑science access in under‑served high schools (AB 887)

Assemblymember Berman’s AB 887 would establish a California Computer Science Demonstration Grant Program as a privately funded pilot to increase equitable access to computer science in public high schools that currently offer no CS coursework. The bill is a third iteration of the author’s efforts to increase computer‑science access while avoiding a mandatory state funding requirement.

Supporters including a public high‑school teacher and College Board representatives told the committee the program is designed to be flexible: a non‑state funding entity (in the transcript, the College Board volunteered to serve as a funding partner) would work with a stakeholder working group to issue grants that prioritize geographic and socioeconomic diversity and serve underrepresented students.

Teacher advocates said exposure to computer science improves transferable academic skills and that a demonstration pilot allows districts to start small and scale programs where successful. The author and witnesses emphasized the pilot is voluntary for schools and intended to produce models and evidence for broader expansion.

The committee advanced AB 887 to Senate Appropriations Committee after committee amendments and said it would keep the pilot off the state general fund while the working group operationalizes grant criteria.