Assigned to ED                                                                                                                  AS PASSED BY COW

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Third Legislature, First Regular Session

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1136

schools; computer coding instruction

Purpose

Requires students to participate in one hour of computer coding instruction once in grades four through twelve.

Background

Code.org is a public 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that aims to inspire participation in computer science education and expand participation among groups that have traditionally been underrepresented in the field. Code.org offers tutorials and other instructional materials that teachers can use at any time during the year through their Hour of Code Program.The Hour of Code program uses a number of online tutorials to teach students basic coding skills. Tutorials are geared for students of different grade levels and include both student and teacher-guided options. These options require varying levels of preparation.

Under Senate Bill 1136, other entities are eligible to provide computer coding programs and instruction to meet the hour of code requirement. Currently, there are no coding standards that have been adopted by the State Board of Education.

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1. Requires school districts and charter schools to require all students in grades four through twelve to participate once in at least one hour of computer coding instruction offered by either:

a) a nationally recognized non-profit organization; or

b) an entity with expertise in providing interactive computer instruction if that instruction is aligned with the academic standards or school district or charter school curriculum.   

2. Prohibits school districts and charter schools from requiring student participation in the instruction more than once.

3. Allows school districts and charter schools to exempt a child with a disability after a determination by the student's individualized education program team.

4. Allows a student's parents to request an exemption from the coding instruction requirement if the student has received comparable coding instruction.

5. Allows a school district and charter school to apply to the Superintendent of Public Instruction for a full or partial waiver for the coding instruction requirement if it does not have the computing infrastructure to provide the instruction.

6. Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to evaluate and make determinations on waiver requests.

7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole

· Expands eligibility to an entity with expertise in providing interactive computer instruction and specifies that instruction be aligned with school curriculum or courses.

Senate Action

ED                   1/26/17     DP     4-3-0

Prepared by Senate Research

February 20, 2017

CB/BF/jn