SECTION 1.
(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1) Computer science builds pupils’ computational, critical thinking, and deeper learning skills, which enables them to understand and create, and not simply use, the next generation of technological tools.
(2) Computer science is transforming industry, bolstering productivity in established economic sectors, and driving job creation and innovation throughout our state’s economy.
(3) Providing access to computer science education is a critical step for ensuring that the state remains competitive in the global economy and
strengthens its cybersecurity.
(4) The outlook for computer science jobs is bright, with over 500,000 open computing positions across the country.
(5) Participation in high-quality computer science activities exposes pupils to the rich opportunities the field offers.
(6) Computing occupations make up two-thirds of all projected new jobs in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, making computer science one of the most in-demand college majors.
(7) Computer science education has challenges to address, including counting computer science classes toward high school graduation requirements and providing professional development for computer science teachers.
(8) There are fewer advanced placement (AP) examinations taken in computer science than in any other STEM subject area.
(9) The field of computer science has significant equity barriers to address, including attracting more participation by young women and underrepresented minorities to all levels and branches.
(10) Pupil exposure to computer science at a young age has the potential to address the diversity gap in computer science fields.
(11) Girls who take an AP computer science course in high school are 10 times more likely to major in computer science in college. African American and Latino pupils who take the course in high school are over seven times more likely to major in computer science in college.
(12) Beginning in March 2018,
the State Department of Education convened the computer science strategic implementation plan advisory panel to develop a set of recommendations for a computer science strategic implementation plan.
(13) In September 2018, the State Board of Education adopted the state’s first-ever computer science content standards.
(14) In May 2019, the State Board of Education adopted the computer science strategic implementation plan, an important initial step in California’s efforts to expand computer science education to all pupils.
(15) During the 2019–20 fiscal year, the Legislature As
part of the state budget for the 2019–20 fiscal year, Section 84 of Chapter 51 of the Statutes of 2019 (Senate Bill 75 of the 2019–20 Regular Session) provided funding for training and resources for computer science teachers and established the California Computer Science Coordinator to provide statewide coordination in implementing the computer science content standards, supporting related activities, and leading the implementation of the computer science strategic implementation plan.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to use data to build off of the recent developments advancements in computer science with the goal of
supporting California’s commitment to equity to ensure that all pupils regardless of gender, race and ethnicity, special education status, English language learner status, and socioeconomic status have access to computer science education. It is further the intent of the Legislature that computer science education data be publicly reported to help devise targeted and effective policy solutions
and resources to support schools, increase access, and close equity gaps.