BILL NUMBER:  S6252

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the education law, in relation to
establishing a computer coding and basic programming course for
secondary schools

 PURPOSE :

Relates to establishing a computer coding and basic programming course
for secondary schools

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

§ 1103 of the education law is amended to read as follows: Courses of
study and qualifications of teachers. 1. The courses of instruction to
accomplish the purposes of this part (one of this article) are to be
approved by the commissioner (of education). Such courses when
conducted in elementary or secondary schools are to be approved by the
superintendent in whose jurisdiction such instruction is given. The
qualifications of the teachers, directors, assistants and supervisors
employed by a vocational education and extension board must conform to
the regulations of the regents of the university and the commissioner
(of education). 2. One such course of study for secondary schools
shall be computer coding and basic programming. The board of
supervisors shall establish the curriculum and certification process
for students to complete. § 2. Section 1112 of the education law is
              

amended to read as follows: § 2 Section 1112. Courses of study and
qualifications of teachers. 1. The courses of instruction to
accomplish the purposes of this part (two of this article) are to be
approved by the commissioner (of education). The qualifications of
teachers, directors, assistants and supervisors employed by the county
commission for special education must conform to the regulations of
the regents of the university and the commissioner (of education). 2.
One such course of study for secondary schools shall be computer
coding and basic programming. The board of supervisors shall establish
the curriculum and certification process for students to complete.

 EXISTING LAW :

New

 JUSTIFICATION :

Teaching programming skills to children is seen as a long-term
solution to the "skills gap" between the number of technology jobs and
the people qualified to fill them. Coding is becoming increasingly a
key competence which will have to be acquired by all young students
and increasingly by workers in a wide range of industries and
professions. Coding is part of logical reasoning and represents one of
the key skills which are part of what is now called "21st century
skills". As programming skills become ever more important and a core
competency for all kinds of 21st Century workers, this is leading
individuals to seek out new ways of learning to code. Many new
initiatives are appearing where start-ups and non-profit organizations
offer innovative and engaging training approaches to coding and many
businesses are also searching for innovative approaches to finding the
coders they urgently need.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

TBD

 LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

TBD

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect the first of July next succeeding the date
on which it shall become a law, provided, however, that effective
immediately, the addition , amendment and/or repeal of any rule or
regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its
effective date is authorized to be made and completed on or before
such effective date.