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Panel considers exempting nonpublic school graduates from a TOPS computer‑science requirement
Summary
Lawmakers considered a substitute to HB 787 that would exempt graduates of BESE‑approved nonpublic high schools from the one‑unit computer‑science requirement for TOPS eligibility; LDOE staff said new K–12 standards and proficiency pathways exist, while Catholic school representatives asked recognition for theology requirements.
House Bill 787, presented as a substitute, would exempt graduates of BESE‑approved nonpublic high schools from the TOPS requirement that students complete one unit of computer science. Representative Brett McMakin said the measure responds to private‑school concerns that the current TOPS requirement forces a choice between religious instruction and a required computer‑science course.
Ashley Townsend of the Louisiana Department of Education described the new K–12 computer‑science standards (including data‑science and AI literacy) and explained options for awarding Carnegie credit — either by minutes of instruction or proficiency frameworks. She said roughly 40% of public schools offered computer science in 2024–25 and that LDOE is building teacher capacity; by 2026–27 the state expects broader course availability.
Tom Casanza representing the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops said Catholic schools are integrating computer science but that theology requirements are mission‑critical and parents choose those schools for religious formation. Several private schools had sent letters asking for the exemption, and the committee adopted the substitute language for further consideration and deferred final action.
Provenance: topic introduced SEG 1818; department testimony and stakeholder remarks through SEG 2419.
Speakers attributed: Representative Brett McMakin; Ashley Townsend (LDOE); Tom Casanza (Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops).
Ending: The committee adopted the substitute language and deferred further action to allow consultation with BESE and private‑school stakeholders.
