Senate education committee gives favorable report to bill codifying computer-science graduation requirement

Representative Faulkner introduced HB329, calling it the "computer science bill" and saying, "All we're doing here is codifying that," referring to an existing State Board of Education graduation requirement for computer science. The committee gave the bill a favorable report and voted to advance it.

The bill incorporates a House committee amendment that adds artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to the graduation requirement and clarifies that department-approved courses with embedded computer-science skills will count toward graduation. Representative Faulkner said the amendment "requires the Alabama State Department develop and publish a set of minimum standards" and to publish a list of approved courses that meet those standards.

Senator Smitherman pressed how under-resourced schools and students without home devices would meet the requirement, arguing for a qualification or exemption if systems cannot provide equipment. "If we are going to require this, it is required... that they give these kids computers," he said, warning that without equipment low-income students could be set up to fail. Representative Faulkner and committee discussion noted the requirement takes effect in the 2031-32 school year, giving time to prepare, and Faulkner said the department and local systems would work to ensure necessary resources are available.

Mark Dixon, named in committee remarks as having worked on the measure, told the committee the requirement to offer computer-science courses has been in place since 2019 and pointed to funding sources and computer-based state assessments as evidence of existing infrastructure: "our ACAP assessment... are taken on computers in schools," he said, noting schools already maintain computers for assessments. The Chair committed to working with the State Department of Education to identify schools lacking devices and to target resources or consider amendments if gaps remain.

The committee moved for a favorable report and held a roll-call vote. Recorded votes included Senators Butler, Chastain, Figures, Hatcher, Hovey, Kitchens, Price, Shellnut, Smitherman and Stutz; the Chair announced the bill received a favorable committee report and will advance.

Next steps: HB329 was reported favorably out of the committee and will move forward in the legislative process; the Chair said staff will gather information on schools lacking devices and may return with targeted amendments or implementation guidance.