HB 278 COMPUTER SCIENCE EMBEDDED IN SCHOOLS

Rep Debra Mari Sarinana

Actions: [4] HEC/HAFC-HEC

Scheduled: Not Scheduled

 House Bill 278 (HB 278) requires computer science to be embedded in elementary and middle school subjects and offered as a standalone course in high school. HB 278 provides for professional development for teachers. HB 278 creates a fund and makes an appropriation. 

 House Bill 278 (HB 278) requires computer science to be offered at all education levels and provides for professional development for teachers. HB 278 creates a fund and makes an appropriation.

SECTION 1 amends Public Schools Section 22-13-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 153, Section 57, as amended by Laws 2016, Chapter 17, Section 1 and by Laws 2016, Chapter 18, Section 1) in Subject Areas to insert Subsection I that beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, computer science shall be offered in public schools. Elementary and middle schools shall have computer science embedded in other subjects and high school students shall be offered a computer science course.

SECTION 2 amends Section 22-13-1.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1986, Chapter 33, Section 5, as amended) in Graduation Requirements to insert Subsection M to require that beginning in the 2025-2026 school year all school districts shall offer at least one computer course in at least one high school. Subsection M further provides a schedule for introducing computer science courses in every high school. Computer science courses shall meet the specifications of this subsection.

SECTION 3 adds a new section of the Public School Code, Section 22-13-1.8 NMSA 1978,
to provide professional development for computer science courses.
A. Definitions as used in this section.

B. High school computer science courses shall meet the specifications in this subsection.

C. Beginning with operating budgets submitted by April 15, 2025, each school district and charter school shall include a report of the past year and the upcoming school year that includes the information specified in this subsection.

D. In disaggregating data, the confidentiality of personally identifiable student and teacher data shall be safeguarded consistent with the requirements of state and federal law. 

E. The department shall post on its website on or before June 30 of each year the data. The department shall publish a list of computer science course codes and names. 

F. To increase the number and expertise of computer science teachers in the public schools, the department shall implement a statewide program for computer science professional development and shall use the academic and technical resources of public post-secondary educational institutions and other computer experts to design and deliver professional development that meets the specifications in this subsection.

G. The department shall provide by rule for the qualifications of approved providers and courses.

SECTION 4 adds a new section of the Public School Code, Section 22-13-1.9 NMSA 1978, to create the Computer Science Program Fund (Fund).
A. The Fund is created as a nonreverting fund in the state treasury and consists of the usual funding sources. The department shall administer the Fund and money in the Fund is subject to appropriation. Expenditures from the Fund shall be by the usual methods.

B. Grant amounts shall be determined by available funding and grant applications. Funds shall be distributed to the entities specified in this subsection to develop and implement teacher professional development programs for computer science courses and content. 

C. The department may provide grants in accordance with Subsection B for developing programs for: 
teaching skills through grade levels from embedding computer science in other subjects to standalone courses; 
credentialing programs for computer science teachers,
providing mentoring and coaching; 
providing resource development to support implementation; or 
recruiting students. 

D. Applications shall be submitted to the department and shall address how the applicant will use the grant to: 
educate teachers; 
provide high quality professional development; 
provide teachers with specified practices; 
accommodate teachers' and students' needs in each school district and school; and 
ensure participating school districts begin offering computer science instruction within the same or next school year after the teacher receives the computer science professional development. 

E. The department shall prioritize the applications as specified in this section.

F. Each award recipient shall report annually to the department the information specified in this subsection.

SECTION 5 makes an appropriation of $1,100,000  from the General Fund to the Fund for expenditure in Fiscal Year 2025 and subsequent fiscal years to carry out the purposes of the Fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund. 

 House Bill 278 would add computer science education for students and professional development for teachers, which is not currently part of Public Schools code. 

 House Bill 278 would change graduation requirements.