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-HB329 INTRODUCED
-Page 0
-HB329
-BYRD8J4-1
-By Representatives Faulkner, Collins, Baker, Hulsey, Colvin
-RFD: Education Policy
-First Read: 22-Jan-26
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-BYRD8J4-1 01/22/2026 OW (L)OW 2026-443
+FN-BYZAEQJ-2
 Page 1
-First Read: 22-Jan-26
-SYNOPSIS:
-Under existing law, completion of a computer
-science course is not required for graduation from an
-Alabama public K-12 school.
-This bill would require all Alabama public
-school students to complete an approved computer
-science course in order to graduate.
-This bill would provide standards for approved
-computer science courses.
-Also under existing law, computer science is
-defined as the study of computers and algorithmic
-processes.
-This bill would also expand the definition of
-computer science to include the study of certain
-related technologies.
-A BILL
-TO BE ENTITLED
-AN ACT
-Relating to public K-12 schools; to amend Sections
-16-46B-1, 16-46B-2, and 16-46B-7, Code of Alabama 1975, to
-expand the definition of computer science; to require all
-Alabama public school students to complete an approved
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-Alabama public school students to complete an approved
-computer science course as a requirement for graduation; and
-to provide standards for approved computer science courses.
-BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
-Section 1.  Sections 16-46B-1, 16-46B-2, and 16-46B-7,
-Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to read as follows:
-"§16-46B-1
-For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms
-shall  have the following meanings:
-(1) BOARD. The State Board of Education.
-(2) COMPUTER SCIENCE. The study of computers and
-algorithmic processes, including their principles, their
-hardware and software designs, their implementation,  and  their
-impact on society , and their emerging technologies, including,
-but not limited to, artificial intelligence . Content should
-focus on teaching students how to create new technologies, not
-simply how to use technology.
-(3) COMPUTER SCIENCE COURSES AND CONTENT. Courses that
-teach computer science either as a standalone course
-implementation in middle and high schools, or, for elementary
-school, integrated into other content areas.
-(4) DEPARTMENT. The State Department of Education.
-(5) ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Includes grades kindergarten to
-six, inclusive.
-(6) HIGH QUALITY PROFESSIONAL LEARNING. Professional
-development activities that satisfy all of the following:
-a. Clarify the conceptual foundations of computer
-science.
-b. Teach research-based practices, including hands-on
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-HB329 INTRODUCED
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-b. Teach research-based practices, including hands-on
-and inquiry-based learning.
-c. Are intended for existing teachers, with or without
-previous exposure to computer science.
-(7) HIGH QUALITY PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PROVIDERS.
-Institutions of higher education, nonprofits, or private
-entities that have successfully designed, implemented, and
-scaled high quality, evidence-based computer science
-professional learning for teachers and recommended by the
-superintendent and approved by the board.
-(8) HIGH SCHOOL. Includes grades nine to 12, inclusive.
-(9) MIDDLE SCHOOL. Includes grades seven and eight.
-(10) PUBLIC SCHOOL. Includes public K-12 elementary
-schools, middle schools, and high schools.
-(11) SUPERINTENDENT. The State Superintendent of
-Education."
-"§16-46B-2
-(a)(1) Beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, each
-public high school shall offer at least one authentic computer
-science course from a department-approved list.
-(2) Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, each public
-middle school shall offer instruction in middle school
-computer science courses approved by the department.
-(3) Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, each public
-elementary school shall offer instruction on the basics of
-computer science and computational thinking.
-(b) A computer science course or instruction in
-computer science offered by a public school shall satisfy all
-of the following:
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-of the following:
-(1) Be of high quality, as defined by the department.
-(2) Meet or exceed the standards and curriculum
-requirements, as they relate to authentic computer science,
-established by the board in the state course of study for
-digital literacy and computer science pursuant to Section
-16-35-4 and be on the approved list of computer science
-courses.
-(c) A computer science course offered by a public high
-school should be offered through an in-person setting and
-shall be offered as a virtual or distance learning course
-option only when an in-person classroom setting is not
-practicable. A rationale for using the virtual or distance
-learning option shall be included in the annual report.
-(d) Beginning with public school students who will
-graduate during the 2031-2032 school year, the department
-shall ensure that all approved computer science courses and
-content that meet graduation requirements pursuant to Section
-16-46B-7, shall include, but not be limited to, instruction in
-the concepts of computer science as defined in Section
-16-46B-1.
-(e) The enforcement of this section shall comply with
-Section 16-1-11.1."
-"§16-46B-7
-(a) Before June 30, 2020, and in accordance with
-Section 16-35-4, the department shall identify approved
-computer science courses that may fulfill one unit of academic
-credit for any mathematics or science course for high school
-graduation.
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-graduation.
-(b) Beginning with the graduating class of 2021, for
-the purposes of high school graduation requirements and
-satisfying mathematics or science freshman admission
-requirements for a public institution of higher education
-physically located in this state, as determined by the
-institution of higher education, a computer science course
-successfully completed under subsection (a) shall be
-equivalent to either of the following:
-(1) One mathematics course credit.
-(2) One science course credit.
-(c)(1) Beginning with the graduating class of 2032, all
-public school students shall demonstrate digital literacy by
-earning at least one credit in a department-approved, high
-school level computer science course. This requirement shall
-not result in an increase in the number of credits required
-for graduation.
-(2) Each computer science credit earned shall count as
-a college and career readiness indicator and may fulfill any
-one of the following, as determined by the local
-superintendent of education:
-a. One mathematics course credit.
-b. One science course credit.
-c. One career and technical education course credit.
-d. One elective credit.
-(3) Mathematics course credits and science course
-credits may only be replaced by department-approved computer
-science courses if the public school student is on the
-standard diploma pathway, which requires the completion of
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-standard diploma pathway, which requires the completion of
-both four mathematics course credits and four science course
-credits. "
-Section 2.  This act shall become effective on October
-1, 2026.
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+FISCAL NOTE
+ House Bill 329
+Committee: Education Policy Sponsor: Representative David Faulkner
+Analyst: John Friedenreich Date: 02/05/2026
+ House Bill 329 as reported by the Committee on Education Policy would codify an existing
+rule of the State Department of Education to require public school students, beginning with
+students who will graduate during the 2031-2032 school year, to earn at least one credit in a
+department approved computer science course, or a department approved course with embedded
+computer science skills and experiences. This bill could increase the administrative obligations
+of the department to ensure that computer science courses meet certain instructional criteria.