2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 6 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 49-6-101 — 49-6-8106) › Part 10 - CURRICULUM GENERALLY (§§ 49-6-1001 — 49-6-1035) › Section 49-6-1010 - Computer science education

(a)
(1)
In order for every student for whom it is educationally appropriate to receive instruction in computer science sufficient to enable the student to communicate and to be prepared for the technological jobs of today and tomorrow, the state board of education shall, no later than the 2024-2025 school year:
(A)
Require each public high school to offer its students access to at least one (1) credit of computer science education;
(B)
Require each public middle school student to take one (1) course in computer science education that includes instruction for a minimum of one (1) grading period for one (1) full school year;
(C)
Approve appropriate computer science courses that allow LEAs and public charter schools to meet the requirements of subdivisions (a)(1) and (a)(2). A computer science course may include, but is not limited to, grade-appropriate instruction on how and why technologies work; exploring whether and how technologies may solve real-life problems; investigating procedures; creating solutions; and learning about computing systems, programming, data, networks, and the effects of technologies on society and individuals; and
(D)
Require each elementary school to provide each student grade-appropriate computer science education based on the academic standards in computer science education adopted by the state board of education.
(2)
(A)
Subdivision (a)(1)(B) only applies to middle school students who enroll in the lowest grade level offered at a middle school in the 2024-2025 school year, or in a subsequent school year.
(B)
For purposes of this section, "middle school" has the same meaning as in § 49-6-301 (b).
(b)
(1)
A high school student pursuing a traditional high school diploma, as described in the state board of education's rules, must receive at least one (1) credit of computer science education in high school.
(2)
Subdivision (b)(1) only applies to students who enroll in the ninth grade in the 2024-2025 school year, or in a subsequent school year.
(c)
A student who transfers to a Tennessee high school during the student's senior year is not required to receive one (1) credit of computer science education in high school in order to receive a traditional high school diploma.
(d)
By July 1, 2024, and each July 1 thereafter, the department of education shall submit a report to the education committee of the senate, the education instruction committee of the house of representatives, and the education administration committee of the house of representatives regarding the implementation and status of computer science education in Tennessee.
(e)
The state board is authorized to promulgate rules to effectuate the purposes of this section. The rules must be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 693,s 2, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 693,s 1, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 979, s 4, eff. 5/3/2022.
Acts 1992, ch. 535, § 34.