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Assemblyman Hagman’s Bill to Expand Computer Science Education Unanimously Passes the Senate Education Committee
Assemblyman Curt Hagman’s (R-Chino Hills) computer science education bill, Assembly Bill 1539, was unanimously passed by the Senate Education Committee, with a vote of 5-0. AB 1539 would encourage the Instructional Quality Commission of the Department of Education to develop content standards for teaching computer science in grades K-12 and recommend them to the State Board of Education for adoption by July 31, 2019.
“I would like to thank the members of the committee for their support of this measure,” stated Assemblyman Hagman. “Guaranteeing that computer science education is being taught throughout our schools is critical given the growth and influence of California’s technology sector. Content standards in computer science will ensure that students are equipped with the necessary tools to be successful in this industry. I am glad that we are one step closer to establishing these standards.”
Currently, enrollment in computer science in California is extremely low, as is continued interest in the subject. In 2010, only 4,500 computer science degrees were awarded in California public schools, while there were over 27,000 new computing and technology jobs in California alone. These fields are among the fastest growing in the nation and the demand for a qualified workforce emphasizes the need for more robust computer science standards in California.
