,i #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #bihb ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,august #b1 #bjac ,mr4 ,crdenas 7for himself and ,mr4 ,polis7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,education and the ,workforce1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to direct the ,secretary of ,education to award grants to ,state educational agencies to develop comprehensive plans to strengthen elementary and secondary computer science education1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,computer ,science in ,,stem ,act of #bjac4 #b4 ,findings ,the ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,computer science is transforming industry1 creating new fields of commerce1 driving innovation in all fields of science1 and bolstering productivity in established economic sectors4 7#b7 ,computer science underpins the information technology sector of the ,united ,states economy1 which is a significant contributor to the economic output of the ,united ,states4 7#c7 ,the ,bureau of ,labor ,statistics projects that from #bjjh through #bjah more than #a1ejj1jjj high-wage computing jobs will be created in the ,united ,states economy1 making high-wage computing one of the fastest growing occupational fields4 7#d7 ,the breadth of industries requiring computing professionals is diverse1 two-thirds of computing jobs are in sectors other than information technology1 including manufacturing1 defense1 health care1 finance1 and government4 7#e7 ,providing students with computer science education in elementary and secondary school is critical for student success in the #bast century and for strengthening the workforce4 7#f7 ,elementary and secondary computer science education gives students a deeper knowledge of the fundamentals of computing1 yielding critical thinking skills that will serve them throughout their lives in numerous fields4 7#g7 ,computer science courses in elementary and secondary schools are fading from the national landscape at a time when they are most needed4 ,the ,computer ,science ,teachers ,association 7,,csta7 has found that introductory secondary school computer science courses have decreased in number by #ag percent since #bjje and the number of ,advanced ,placement 7,,ap7 computer science courses has decreased by #cc percent4 7#h7 ,significant disparities in access to computer science education exist for minorities4 ,research in the ,los ,angeles ,unified ,school ,district1 the second largest and one of the most diverse school districts in the ,united ,states1 found college-preparatory computer science courses were commonly missing in schools with high numbers of ,latino and ,african-,american students4 7#i7 ,only #ad ,states allow computer science courses to count toward a student's secondary school graduation requirements1 chilling student interest in computer science courses4 7#aj7 ,the ,,csta has found that many ,states do not have a certification or licensure process for computer science teachers1 and where certification processes do exist1 such processes often have no connection to computer science content4 7#aa7 ,computer science education has been encumbered by confusion regarding the related but distinct concepts of computer science education1 technology education1 and the use of technology in education4 7#ab7 ,computer science education courses have often been placed within the vocational education pathways in schools1 creating a focus on applied information technology skills rather than a focus on developing core computer science knowledge4 7#ac7 ,with the growing importance of computing in society1 the need for students to understand the fundamentals of computing1 and the significant challenges computer science education faces in elementary and secondary education1 broad support for computer science education is needed to catalyze reform4 #c4 ,amendment to the ,america ,,competes ,reauthorization ,act of #bjaj ,section #b7b7 of the ,america ,,competes ,reauthorization ,act of #bjaj 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ffba note7 is amended by inserting 1 and computer science after and mathematics4 #d4 ,state comprehensive planning grants 7a7 ,program authorized ,the ,secretary of ,education shall award grants to ,state educational agencies to develop comprehensive plans to strengthen elementary and secondary computer science education in accordance with this section4 7b7 ,objectives ,a comprehensive plan developed under this section shall outline strategies for achieving the following objectives3 7#a7 ,provide an engaging and rigorous computer science education intended to ensure students are prepared for the #bast century4 7#b7 ,assess the ,state's needs for computer science education1 particularly for underrepresented populations4 7#c7 ,ensure access to computer science courses1 particularly at low-performing schools and for low-income students and students underrepresented in computing4 7#d7 ,ensure that students are exposed to grade-appropriate computer science concepts in kindergarten through grade #ab and that computer science courses at the secondary level are viewed as part of the core curriculum students need to be ready for postsecondary education and careers4 7#e7 ,ensure that teachers have the appropriate background1 skills1 and access to resources to teach computer science4 7c7 ,contents of comprehensive plans ,a ,state educational agency that receives a grant under subsection 7a7 shall develop a comprehensive plan that meets the objectives described in subsection 7b7 and includes the following3 7#a7 ,an assessment of elementary and secondary computer science education in such ,state4 7#b7 ,proposals to improve elementary and secondary computer science education in such ,state through the development and implementation of-- 7,a7 challenging and grade-appropriate academic content standards for computer science at elementary and secondary education levels2 7,b7 grade-appropriate assessments of computer science learning2 7,c7 programs to increase access to computer science courses for students at low-performing schools and students underrepresented in computing2 7,d7 improved computer science teacher certification or licensure requirements and processes2 7,e7 professional development programs for computer science teachers2 and 7,f7 programs for ensuring that computer science courses at the secondary level are considered an integral part of the curriculum students need to be well prepared for higher education and employment4 7d7 ,consultation ,in developing a comprehensive plan under this section1 a ,state educational agency shall collaborate with representatives of institutions of higher education1 with other interested parties1 and1 where they exist in such ,state1 with ,state ,p-#af or ,p-#bj councils4 7e7 ,duration of grants ,the ,secretary shall award each grant under subsection 7a7 for a period of #b years4 7f7 ,funding structure 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall award grants under subsection 7a7 proportionally among the ,state educational agencies that apply for grant funding under this section based on the number of low-income children served by the ,state educational agency compared to the total number of low-income children served by all of the ,state educational agencies that apply for grant funding under this section4 7#b7 ,counting low-income children 7,a7 ,categories of children ,the number of low-income children to be counted for purposes of this section is the aggregate of-- 7i7 the number of children aged #e to #ag1 inclusive1 in the ,state from families below the poverty level1 as determined by the ,secretary on the basis of the most recent satisfactory data2 7ii7 the number of children 7determined for either the preceding year or for the second preceding year1 as the ,secretary finds appropriate7 aged #e to #ag1 inclusive1 in the ,state in institutions for neglected and delinquent children 7other than such institutions operated by the ,united ,states72 and 7iii7 the number of children aged #e to #ag1 inclusive1 in the ,state from families above the poverty level as determined under paragraph 7#d77;,a7 of section #aabd7;c7 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fccc7;c77#d774 7,b7 ,methodology ,in making computations under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary shall use the methodology described in paragraphs 7#c7 through 7#e7 of section #aabd7;c7 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fccc7;c774 7#c7 ,minimum grant ,notwithstanding paragraph 7#a71 each ,state educational agency approved by the ,secretary to receive a grant under this section shall receive a minimum grant of #bej1jjj4 7g7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated such sums as necessary1 subject to the availability of appropriations1 to carry out this section4 #e4 ,implementation grants 7a7 ,program authorized ,the ,secretary shall award grants to ,state educational agencies in accordance with this section to implement computer science education improvements proposed in comprehensive plans that meet the requirements of subsections 7b7 and 7c7 of section #d4 7b7 ,benchmarks ,each ,state educational agency applying for a grant under this section shall-- 7#a7 develop quantifiable benchmarks for the activities supported under such grant1 which may include benchmarks for increasing-- 7,a7 student knowledge and competency of grade-appropriate computer science concepts2 7,b7 the number of students that take computer science courses2 7,c7 the diversity of students who take computer science courses2 7,d7 the number of students who plan to pursue postsecondary computer science degrees2 7,e7 the diversity of students who plan to pursue postsecondary computer science degrees2 and 7,f7 the number of teachers who are certified to teach computer science2 and 7#b7 submit such quantifiable benchmarks to the ,secretary for approval4 7c7 ,activities ,grant funds received under this section shall be used by each ,state educational agency for the development and implementation of-- 7#a7 challenging and grade-appropriate academic content standards for computer science2 7#b7 grade-appropriate assessments of computer science learning2 7#c7 programs to increase access to computer science courses for students at low-performing schools and students underrepresented in computing2 7#d7 improved computer science teacher certification requirements and processes2 7#e7 professional development programs for computer science teachers2 7#f7 programs for ensuring that computer science courses at the secondary level are considered an integral part of the curriculum students need to be well prepared for higher education and employment2 7#g7 effective computer science curricula2 7#h7 computer science distance learning programs2 and 7#i7 such other activities that strengthen computer science education and that such ,state educational agency considers appropriate4 7d7 ,administrative expenses ,a ,state educational agency may use not more than five percent of a grant received under this section for administrative expenses4 7e7 ,partnerships ,in performing the activities required under subsection 7c71 each ,state educational agency shall partner with institutions of higher education and local educational agencies1 and may partner with nonprofit organizations1 businesses1 and other ,state educational agencies4 7f7 ,non-,federal share 7#a7 ,in general ,each ,state educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall provide a non-,federal share1 in cash or in-kind1 of the funding for the activities described in subsection 7c7 of not less than #bj percent of the total cost of such activities in any fiscal year4 7#b7 ,financial hardship waiver ,the ,secretary may reduce or waive the requirement to provide a non-,federal share under paragraph 7#a7 for a ,state educational agency if such ,state educational agency demonstrates a need for such waiver or reduction due to extreme financial hardship4 7g7 ,duration of grants ,the ,secretary shall award each grant under subsection 7a7 for a period of five years4 7h7 ,subsequent grants ,at the end of the #e-year period for a grant1 the grant recipient may apply for an additional grant under this section by submitting an updated comprehensive plan that meets the requirements of subsections 7b7 and 7c7 of section #d4 ,in considering an application for a subsequent grant under this section1 the ,secretary shall take into consideration the reports filed under subsection 7l74 7i7 ,competitive basis2 priority ,the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 award grants for a fiscal year on a competitive basis among ,state educational agencies that meet the requirements for funding under this section2 and 7#b7 give priority to ,state educational agency proposals that include an emphasis on serving low-performing schools and on increasing participation in computer science by students underrepresented in computing4 7j7 ,funding ,priority ,in allocating grant funds received under this section1 a ,state educational agency shall give priority to proposals that include an emphasis on serving low-performing schools and on increasing participation in computer science by students underrepresented in computing4 7k7 ,supplement1 not supplant ,funds made available to carry out this section shall be used to supplement1 and not supplant1 other ,federal and ,state funds available to carry out the activities described in this section4 7l7 ,reports ,each ,state educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall-- 7#a7 measure the progress of such ,state educational agency in achieving the benchmarks developed under subsection 7b77#a72 7#b7 collect data relating to student-related benchmarks developed under subsection 7b77#a7 in a form that is disaggregated by student race1 ethnicity1 gender1 disability status1 migrant status1 ,english proficiency status1 and low-income status1 except that such disaggregation shall not be required when the number of students in a category is insufficient to yield statistically reliable results or the results would reveal personally identifiable information about an individual student2 7#c7 collect such other performance information as the ,secretary may reasonably require for the national evaluation conducted under section #f2 7#d7 submit a report to the ,secretary addressing each item in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#c7 not later than four years after the date on which the ,state educational agency receives an initial grant under this section2 and 7#e7 not later than two years after the date of the submission of the report required under paragraph 7#d71 and biennially thereafter until the ,state educational agency no longer receives grant funding under this section1 submit to the ,secretary an update of such report4 7m7 ,guidance ,the ,secretary shall provide guidance to ,state educational agencies regarding acceptable data sources and methodologies for-- 7#a7 establishing performance benchmarks2 and 7#b7 measuring progress by ,state educational agencies receiving grants under this section4 #f4 ,national evaluation 7a7 ,in general ,not earlier than #d years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall contract with an independent organization for a comprehensive1 scientifically valid1 and quantitative evaluation of the performance and effectiveness of the activities funded by grants received under this ,act in improving the availability and quality of computer science education1 the overall participation rate of students in computer science courses1 and the participation rate of students underrepresented in computing in computer science courses4 7b7 ,reporting requirements 7#a7 ,initial report ,not later than #e years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on the results of the evaluation described in subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,report updates ,not later than #b years after the date on which the ,secretary submits the report required under paragraph 7#a71 and biennially thereafter1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress an update of such report4 #g4 ,expanding teacher preparation programs for computer science teachers 7a7 ,subpart heading ,part ,b of title ,,ii of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fffa et seq47 is amended by inserting at the end the following3 #b ,model ,teacher ,preparation ,program 4 7b7 ,computer science model teacher preparation program ,insert after the subpart #b heading the following3 #bbaa4 ,computer science model teacher preparation program 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary is authorized to award grants to institutions of higher education to improve training for elementary school and secondary school computer science teachers4 7b7 ,eligibility ,the ,secretary shall award a grant under this section to an institution of higher education that-- 7#a7 has1 at minimum-- 7,a7 a program in teacher education2 and 7,b7 a program in computer science or informatics2 and 7#b7 submits an application at such time1 in such form1 and containing such information and assurances as the ,secretary may require4 7c7 ,use of funds ,an institution of higher education that receives a grant under the section shall use the grant funds to carry out not less than one of the following activities3 7#a7 ,develop courses for undergraduate students that-- 7,a7 prepare such students to teach computer science in elementary schools and secondary schools2 7,b7 address content and pedagogy in informatics or computer science education2 and 7,c7 engage the teacher education department and other relevant departments at the institution of higher education4 7#b7 ,develop and fund teacher mentoring programs to support elementary school and secondary school computer science teachers who are new to the profession4 7d7 ,duration of grants ,each grant awarded by the ,secretary under this section shall be for a period of #e years4 7e7 ,report ,not later than #ahj days after the conclusion of the grant period described under subsection 7d71 an institution of higher education that receives a grant under this section shall submit to the ,secretary and ,congress a report that-- 7#a7 identifies the number of teachers served under the grant2 7#b7 identifies the number of teachers described in paragraph 7#a7 who obtain a teaching position in a computer science classroom2 and 7#c7 evaluates the activities carried out under this section4 4 7c7 ,technical amendment ,the table of contents for such ,act is amended by inserting before the item relating to part ,c of title ,,ii the following3 ,subpart #b--,model teacher preparation program ,sec4 #bbaa4 ,computer science model teacher preparation program4 4 #h4 ,computer science in the ,robert ,noyce teacher scholarship program ,section #aj of the ,national ,science ,foundation ,authorization ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ahfbn-#a7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking and mathematics and inserting mathematics1 informatics1 and computer science in each place it appears2 7#b7 in subsection 7a77#c77;,b71 by striking or mathematics and inserting mathematics1 informatics1 and computer science2 7#c7 in subsections 7b77#a77;,d77i71 7c77#a77;,a71 7d77#a71 and 7i77#g7 by striking or mathematics in each place it appears and inserting mathematics1 informatics1 or computer science2 and 7#d7 in subsection 7i77#e71 by striking or mathematics and inserting mathematics1 or computer science4 #i4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,computer science ,the term computer science means the study of computers and algorithmic processes and includes the study of computing principles1 computer hardware and software design1 computer applications1 and the impact of computers on society4 7#b7 ,computer science education ,the term computer science education includes computing education in any of the following3 7,a7 ,software design4 7,b7 ,hardware design4 7,c7 ,creation of digital artifacts4 7,d7 ,abstraction4 7,e7 ,logic4 7,f7 ,algorithm development and implementation4 7,g7 ,programming paradigms and languages4 7,h7 ,theoretical foundations4 7,i7 ,networks4 7,j7 ,graphics4 7,k7 ,databases and information retrieval4 7,l7 ,information security and privacy4 7,m7 ,artificial intelligence4 7,n7 ,the relationship between computing and mathematics4 7,o7 ,the limits of computation4 7,p7 ,applications in information technology and information systems4 7,q7 ,the social impacts of computing4 7#c7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given that term in section #aja7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a774 7#d7 ,local educational agency ,the term local educational agency-- 7,a7 subject to subparagraph 7,b71 has the meaning given that term in section #iaja7bf7 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja7bf772 and 7,b7 includes any charter school 7as defined in section #ebaj7a7 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #gbba;i7#a777 that constitutes a local educational agency under ,state law4 7#e7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,education4 7#f7 ,state educational agency ,the term ,state educational agency has the meaning given that term in section #iaja7da7 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja7da774 7#g7 ,students underrepresented in computing ,the term students underrepresented in computing-- 7,a7 means populations historically underrepresented in computer science disciplines2 and 7,b7 includes females1 racial minorities1 and low-income students4