2019S0360-1 03/06/19
 
  By: Nelson S.B. No. 2180
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the essential knowledge and skills of the technology
  applications curriculum and the establishment of a computer science
  strategic advisory committee.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (c-3) to read as follows:
         (c-3)  In adopting the essential knowledge and skills for the
  technology applications curriculum for kindergarten through grade
  eight, the State Board of Education shall adopt essential knowledge
  and skills that include coding, computer programming,
  computational thinking, and cybersecurity. The State Board of
  Education shall review and revise, as needed, the essential
  knowledge and skills of the technology applications curriculum
  every five years to ensure that the curriculum:
               (1)  is relevant to student education; and
               (2)  aligns with current or emerging professions.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 28.0181 to read as follows:
         Sec. 28.0181.  COMPUTER SCIENCE STRATEGIC ADVISORY
  COMMITTEE. (a)  In this section, "advisory committee" means the
  computer science strategic advisory committee established under
  this section.
         (b)  The agency shall establish the computer science
  strategic advisory committee to develop and provide
  recommendations for increasing computer science instruction and
  participation in public schools.
         (c)  The advisory committee is composed of at least 11
  members.  The members must include:
               (1)  two members appointed by the governor;
               (2)  two members appointed by the lieutenant governor;
               (3)  two members appointed by the speaker of the house
  of representatives;
               (4)  one member appointed by the chair of the senate
  committee with primary jurisdiction over primary and secondary
  education;
               (5)  one member appointed by the chair of the senate
  committee with primary jurisdiction over higher education;
               (6)  one member appointed by the chair of the house of
  representatives committee with primary jurisdiction over primary
  and secondary education;
               (7)  one member appointed by the chair of the house of
  representatives committee with primary jurisdiction over higher
  education;
               (8)  one member appointed by the chair of the State
  Board of Education; and
               (9)  any other members added by the advisory committee
  in a manner determined by the committee in the committee's
  discretion.
         (d)  In appointing members to the advisory committee, the
  governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
  representatives shall coordinate appointments to ensure that the
  six individuals appointed to the advisory committee collectively by
  those officers include:
               (1)  three educators who teach in a public school and
  are certified in computer science;
               (2)  one parent or person standing in parental relation
  to a student enrolled in a public school;
               (3)  one person employed in the technology industry;
  and
               (4)  one faculty member of an institution of higher
  education.
         (e)  The governor shall designate a member of the advisory
  committee as the presiding officer of the advisory committee to
  serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the governor.
         (f)  The advisory committee may hold public meetings.
         (g)  Members of the advisory committee are not entitled to
  compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for actual and
  necessary expenses incurred in fulfilling committee duties.
         (h)  Staff members of the agency shall provide
  administrative support for the advisory committee.
         (i)  Funding for the administrative and operational expenses
  of the advisory committee shall be provided by appropriation to the
  agency for that purpose.
         (j)  Not later than September 1, 2020, the advisory committee
  shall submit to the governor and the legislature a report that
  includes recommended changes to state law, including funding
  proposals and timelines for the implementation of the recommended
  changes.  The report shall include recommendations that are
  intended to:
               (1)  increase the number of certified computer science
  teachers;
               (2)  increase the number of public high schools
  offering computer science courses;
               (3)  increase the number of high school students
  enrolled in computer science courses;
               (4)  encourage the enrollment of diverse student
  populations in computer science courses; and
               (5)  expand computer science learning opportunities,
  including computer programming, computer coding, cybersecurity,
  and computational thinking, in public schools.
         (k)  The advisory committee is abolished and this section
  expires January 1, 2021.
         SECTION 3.  Not later than December 31, 2020, the State Board
  of Education shall review and revise, as needed, the essential
  knowledge and skills of the technology applications curriculum as
  required by Section 28.002(c-3), Education Code, as added by this
  Act.
         SECTION 4.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the appropriate persons, as provided by Section
  28.0181(c), Education Code, as added by this Act, shall appoint
  members to the computer science strategic advisory committee.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2019.