The Michigan House is considering a bill that would require every public high school to offer at least one computer science class. Known as HB 5649, the bill, sponsored by Representative Carol Glanville (D-Walker), aims to teach Michigan students fundamental tech skills that are valuable in the tech industry. The requirement would begin in the 2027-28 school year.
Under this bill, schools would be required to provide detailed reports on their computer science courses to the Center for Educational Performance and Information. These reports would include information on the demographics, grade level, special education status, and free lunch eligibility of students enrolled in the courses, among other data points. Advocates for the bill believe that computer science is a crucial literacy that all students will need in the future.
One of the challenges with implementing this bill is the potential cost associated with providing students with the necessary technology and training teachers to teach computer science courses. Despite progress made in technology infrastructure during the pandemic, there is still a need for adequate resources and training for teachers. To overcome this hurdle, advocates suggest training existing teachers to teach introductory computer science courses. It is crucial for school districts to ensure that teachers have the support and tools they need to successfully implement these computer science classes for students.
