South Carolina H 3201: Computer Science Education Initiative Act

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 3201 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 09, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 3201

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

Indicates Matter 
Stricken

Indicates New Matter

Amended

April 9, 2025

H. 3201

Introduced by Reps. Davis, Erickson, Pope, 
Spann-Wilder, Pedalino, Forrest, Cobb-Hunter, Rivers, Henderson-Myers and Govan 

S. Printed 4/9/25--H.

Read the first time January 14, 2025

________

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE 
"SOUTH CAROLINA COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION INITIATIVE ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 
59-29-250 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXPANSION AND ENHANCEMENT OF COMPUTER 
SCIENCE EDUCATION IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS THROUGH THE CREATION AND 
IMPLEMENTATION OF A STATEWIDE COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION PLAN AND THE REQUIREMENT 
THAT EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL OFFERS AT LEAST ONE COMPUTER SCIENCE COURSE THAT MEETS 
CERTAIN CRITERIA, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATE BOARD OF 
EDUCATION AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

 Amend Title To Conform

Be it enacted by the 
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the "South Carolina Computer Science Education 
Initiative Act."

SECTION 2. Article 1, Chapter 29, Title 59 of the S.C. Code is 
amended by adding:

 Section 
59-29-250. (A) The purpose of this section is to 
continue to expand access to computer science learning experiences to all 
students because computer science supports literacy, math, problem solving, and 
technological skills, and advances productivity in every discipline, industry, 
and profession.

 (B) 
On or before December 31, 2026, the State Board of Education, in consultation 
with the Education Oversight Committee and the Office of the Governor, shall 
adopt a statewide computer science plan. The plan shall establish goals for 
improving K-12 computer science education. Goals shall include, but not be 
limited to, increased access for computer science education opportunities in 
rural areas of the State, and methods to increase the number of computer 
science educators. The plan shall also list strategies and respective timelines 
for reaching the goals developed by the board.

 (C) 
The State Board of Education shall conduct, at least every five years, a 
cyclical review of grade appropriate standards for computer science, 
computational thinking, and computer coding for grades kindergarten through 
grade twelve. Experts and officials from higher education, business and 
industry, to include information technology or computer science across 
discipline representation, must be included in the review and development of 
the standards.

 (D) 
No later than the beginning of the 2026-2027 School Year, each public high 
school and public charter high school must offer at least one computer science 
course that:

 (1) 
is rigorous and standards based; 

 (2) 
meets or exceeds the curriculum standards and requirements established by the 
State Board of Education;

 (3) 
meets the needs of diverse students who will pursue postsecondary education or 
who will enter careers in computing and information technology upon graduation; 
and

 (4) 
is made available in a traditional classroom setting, in a dual enrollment 
course, blended learning environment, online based, or other technology based 
format tailored to meet the needs of each participating student. Information 
on Information Technology Cluster course offerings and student enrollment must 
be reflected on the annual high school report cards.

 (E) 
Beginning in the 2026-2027 School Year, the Department of Education shall:

 (1) 
employ one full-time employee whose sole responsibility is to coordinate and 
lead the South Carolina Computer Science Education Initiative, provided the 
employee must have prior teaching, training, and/or work experience in computer 
science, information technology, or related areas; 

 (2) 
support K-12 academic and computer science teachers in designing 
interdisciplinary, project-based instruction and assignments that engage 
students in applying literacy, math, and computational thinking skills to solve 
problems;

 (3) 
design career pathways that connect students to postsecondary programs, 
degrees, or postsecondary credentials in high demand career fields including, 
but not limited to, cybersecurity, information systems, informatics, graphic 
design, computer engineering, and software development as identified by the 
Department of Employment and Workforce; 

 (4) 
offer professional development and teacher endorsements to new teachers who 
will teach computer science;

 (5) 
provide information and materials which identify emerging career opportunities 
in computer science and related fields to parents, students, teachers, and 
guidance counselors; and 

 (6) 
assist districts i