Vermont H 318: An act relating to a private right of action against unpermitted salvage yards

Bill Text

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VT LEG #380419 v.1
H.318 1
Introduced by Representative Priestley of Bradford 2
Referred to Committee on 3
Date: 4
Subject: Education; courses of study; curriculum; computer science; 5
professional development 6
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require public 7
schools to offer courses in computer science, provide funding and guidance for 8
the professional development of computer science teachers, and establish 9
computer science standards and pathways for students. 10
An act relating to computer science in Vermont’s public schools 11
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 12
Sec. 1. 16 V.S.A. chapter 23, subchapter 3 added to read: 13
Subchapter 3. Computer Science 14
§ 971. DEFINITIONS 15
As used in this subchapter: 16
(1) “Computer science” means the study of computers and algorithmic 17
processes including their principles, their hardware and software designs, their 18
implementation, and their impact on society. Content should focus on teaching 19
students how to create new technologies, not simply how to use technology. 20

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(2) “Computer science courses and content” means courses in 1
elementary, middle, or high school that teach computer science as standalone 2
implementations or, for elementary and middle school, embedded in other 3
subjects. 4
(3) “High-quality professional learning” means professional 5
development activities that: 6
(A) clarify the conceptual foundations of computer science; 7
(B) teach research-based practices, including hands-on and inquiry-8
based learning; and 9
(C) are intended for existing teachers with or without prior exposure 10
to computer science. 11
(4) “High-quality professional learning providers” means postsecondary 12
schools, nonprofits, or private entities that have successfully designed, 13
implemented, and scaled high-quality computer science professional learning 14
for teachers as defined in subdivision (3) of this section that meets relicensure 15
credit standards set by the Standards Board for Professional Educators. 16
§ 972. COMPUTER SCIENCE; REQUIRED COURSE OFFERING 17
(a) Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, each public high school 18
shall offer at least one computer science course for students in grades nine 19
through 12. 20

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(b) Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, each public school that 1
operates grades six through eight shall offer instruction in exploratory 2
computer science to students in those grades. 3
(c) Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, each public elementary 4
school shall offer instruction in the basics of computer science and 5
computational thinking. 6
(d) A computer science course or instruction in computer science offered 7
by a public school shall: 8
(1) be of high quality, as defined by the State Board of Education; and 9
(2) meet or exceed the standards and curriculum requirements 10
established by the State Board of Education. 11
(e) A computer science course offered by a public high school shall be 12
offered in an in-person setting. If a traditional classroom setting is not feasible, 13
the public high school may submit an alternate plan for approval by the 14
Agency of Education, prior to the start of the school year, to offer a virtual or 15
distance learning course option. The computer science courses shall be listed 16
as an option in the school’s course catalog regardless of whether they are 17
offered in-person or virtually. 18
(f) Beginning on September 1, 2025 and every September 1 thereafter, each 19
school district shall submit to the Agency of Education a report for the current 20
academic year that shall include the following: 21

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(1) the names and course codes of computer science courses offered in 1
each school within the district, including course descriptions and identification 2
of which State computer science standards are covered, to the extent such 3
information is available; 4
(2) the number and percentage of students who enrolled in each 5
computer science course, disaggregated by the following categories; provided, 6
however, if the number or percentage would cause the individual identity of 7
students to be known, the number shall be replaced with a symbol: 8
(A) gender; 9
(B) race and ethnicity; 10
(C) special education status, including students on an IEP or section 11
504 plan; 12
(D) English learners; 13
(F) eligibility for free and reduced-price meals; and 14
(G) grade level; and 15
(3) the number of computer science instructors at each school, 16
disaggregated by: 17
(A) endorsement, if applicable; 18
(B) gender; 19
(C) race and ethnicity; and 20
(D) highest academic degree obtained. 21

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(g) On or before each November 15, t