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House backs computer-science initiative to expand K–12 coding and teacher support
Summary
Third substitute SB93, a computer-science initiative creating statewide resources, teacher endorsements and teacher-preparation supports, passed the House 69-2; the bill includes a $400,000 cost that was reprioritized in amendment.
The Utah House on March 9 passed third substitute SB93, a measure to expand computer science education across public schools by creating statewide course content, teacher preparation, endorsements and industry partnerships.
Representative Last, the House sponsor, said the bill addresses a critical shortfall in computer science teachers and in student participation; the sponsor noted only 524 Utah students took AP computer science the prior year and that the program includes partners such as the State Office of Education, districts, higher education and industry partners. The bill provides teacher endorsements and statewide resources and includes a prioritized appropriation (amended on the floor) with estimated costs in the low hundreds of thousands.
Business and education representatives on the floor described successful local partnerships and urged the Legislature to expand teacher preparation and industry collaboration. Representative Cutler recounted a partnership that expanded computer science offerings in Jordan School District and emphasized the need for teacher preparation. After a brief substitute and summation, third substitute SB93 passed the House 69-2 and will return to the Senate for signature of the president.
