Mo. Rev. Stat. § 170.018 — MO Code / Chapter 170 / Section 170.018
170.018 Computer science, academic credit for math, science, or practical arts — ...
Status: in_force

170.018. Computer science, academic credit for math, science, or practical arts — work group — endorsement on teacher certificate — fund, grants — computer science course, requirements — rulemaking authority. — 1. (1) For purposes of this section, "computer science course" means a course in which students study computers and algorithmic processes, including their principles, hardware and software designs, implementation, and impact on society. The term shall include, but not be limited to, a stand-alone course at any elementary, middle, or high school or a course at any elementary or middle school that embeds computer science content within other subjects.

(2) The department of elementary and secondary education shall, before July 1, 2019, develop a high school graduation policy that allows a student to fulfill one unit of academic credit with a district-approved computer science course meeting the standards of subsection 2 of this section for any mathematics, science, or practical arts unit required for high school graduation. The policy shall require that all students have either taken all courses that require end-of-course examinations for math and science or are on track to take all courses that require end-of-course examinations for math and science under the Missouri school improvement program in order to receive credit toward high school graduation under this subsection.

(3) A school district shall communicate to students electing to use a computer science course for a mathematics unit that some institutions of higher education may require four units of academic credit in mathematics for college admission. The parent, guardian, or legal custodian of each student who chooses to take a computer science course to fulfill a unit of academic credit in mathematics shall sign and submit to the school district a document containing a statement acknowledging that taking a computer science course to fulfill a unit of academic credit in mathematics may have an adverse effect on college admission decisions.

(4) The department of elementary and secondary education and the department of higher education and workforce development shall cooperate in developing and implementing academic requirements for computer science courses offered in any grade or grades not lower than the ninth nor higher than the twelfth grade.

2. (1) The department of elementary and secondary education shall convene a work group to develop and recommend rigorous academic performance standards relating to computer science for students in kindergarten and in each grade not higher than the twelfth grade. The work group shall include, but not be limited to, educators providing instruction in kindergarten or in any grade not higher than the twelfth grade and representatives from the department of elementary and secondary education, the department of higher education and workforce development, business and industry, and institutions of higher education. The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop written curriculum frameworks relating to computer science that may be used by school districts. The requirements of section 160.514 shall not apply to this section.

(2) The state board of education shall adopt and implement academic performance standards relating to computer science beginning in the 2019-20 school year.

3. Before July 1, 2019, the department of elementary and secondary education shall develop a procedure by which any teacher who holds a certificate of license to teach under section 168.021 and demonstrates sufficient content knowledge of computer science shall receive a special endorsement on the teacher's license signifying the teacher's specialized knowledge in computer science.

4. (1) For purposes of this subsection, "eligible entity" means:

(a) A local educational agency, or a consortium of local educational agencies, in the state, including charter schools that have declared themselves local educational agencies;

(b) An institution of higher education in the state; or

(c) A nonprofit or private provider of nationally recognized and high-quality computer science professional development, as determined by the department of elementary and secondary education.

(2) There is hereby created in the state treasury the "Computer Science Education Fund". The fund shall consist of all moneys that may be appropriated to it by the general assembly and any gifts, contributions, grants, or bequests received from private or other sources for the purpose of providing teacher professional development programs relating to computer science. The state treasurer shall be custodian of the fund. In accordance with sections 30.170 and 30.180 , the state treasurer may approve disbursements. The fund shall be a dedicated fund and, upon appropriation, moneys in the fund shall be used solely for the administration of grants to eligible entities as described in this section. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 33.080 to the contrary, any moneys remaining in the fund at the end of the biennium shall not revert to the credit of the general revenue fund. The state treasurer shall invest moneys in the fund in the same manner as other funds are invested. Any interest and moneys earned on such investments shall be credited to the fund.

(3) The state board of education shall award grants from the computer science education fund to eligible entities for the purpose of providing teacher professional development programs relating to computer science. An eligible entity wishing to receive such a grant shall submit an application to the department of elementary and secondary education addressing how the entity plans to:

(a) Reach new and existing teachers with little computer science background;

(b) Use effective practices for professional development;

(c) Focus the training on the conceptual foundations of computer science;

(d) Reach and support historically underrepresented students in computer science;

(e) Provide teachers with concrete experience with hands-on, inquiry-based practices; and

(f) Accommodate the particular needs of students and teachers in each district and school.

5. (1) For all school years beginning on or after July 1, 2023, each public high school and charter high school shall offer at least one computer science course in an in-person setting or as a virtual or distance course option.

(2) Any computer science course or instruction offered under this subsection shall:

(a) Be of high quality as defined by the state board of education;

(b) Meet or exceed the computer science performance standards developed and adopted by the department of elementary and secondary education under this section; and

(c) For any computer science course offered by a public high school or charter high school, be offered in such school's course catalog.

(3) On or before June thirtieth of each school year, each school district shall submit to the department of elementary and secondary education a report for the current school year which shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) The names and course codes of computer science courses offered in each school in the district with a course description and which computer science performance standards are covered, to the extent such information is available;

(b) The number and percentage of students who enrolled in each computer science course, listed by the categories in subparagraphs a. to f. of this paragraph. If a category contains one to five students or contains a quantity of students that would allow the quantity of another category that contains five or fewer to be deduced , the number shall be replaced with a symbol:

a. Sex;

b. Race and ethnicity;

c. Special education status including, but not limited to, students receiving services under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq., as amended) or Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794), as amended;

d. English language learner status;

e. Eligibility for free or reduced price meals; and

f. Grade level; and

(c) The number of computer science instructors at each school, listed by the following categories:

a. Applicable certifications;

b. Sex;

c. Race and ethnicity; and

d. Highest academic degree.

(4) On or before September thirtieth of each school year, the department of elementary and secondary education shall post the following on the department's website:

(a) Data received under paragraphs (a) and (b) of subdivision (3) of this subsection, disaggregated by school and aggregated statewide; and

(b) Data received under paragraph (c) of subdivision (3) of this subsection, aggregated statewide.

(5) On or before June thirtieth of each school year, the department of elementary and secondary education shall publish a list of computer science course codes and names with a course description and an indication of which courses meet or exceed the department of elementary and secondary education's computer science performance standards.

6. The department of elementary and secondary education shall appoint a computer science supervisor. The computer science supervisor shall be responsible for implementing the provisions of this section.

7. For all school years beginning on or after July 1, 2023, a computer science course successfully completed and counted toward state graduation requirements shall be equivalent to one science course or one practical arts credit for the purpose of satisfying any admission requirements of any public institution of higher education in this state.

8. The department of elementary and secondary education shall promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this section. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010 , that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028 . This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after December 18, 2018, shall be invalid and void.

(L. 2018 1st Ex. Sess. H.B. 3, A.L. 2022 S.B. 681 & 662 merged with S.B. 718)