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HF 253

A bill for an act relating to computer science instruction, including by modifying provisions related to the graduation requirements, the computer science instruction provided by students enrolled in grades nine through twelve, computer science instruction endorsements and authorizations issued by the board of educational examiners, and the computer science professional development incentive fund.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chad Ingels

Requires half a CS credit to graduate from 2029-30; expands CS in CTE, cross-district attendance, and CS teaching credentials; establishes waivers, reporting, and info by DE/BOEE.

Subcommittee recommends passage.
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Bill Summary · HF 253

HF 253 — Comprehensive Summary (Introduced Feb 6, 2025)

Purpose and overall intent

HF 253 aims to expand access to computer science (CS) instruction within K-12 education, integrate CS into graduation requirements for later cohorts, and establish standards for CS teaching credentials, reporting, and waivers. The bill also clarifies cross-district course availability and expands the scope of career and technical education (CTE) instruction to include CS when taught by teachers with BOEE-authorized credentials.

Key provisions

  • Cross-district course attendance

    • Allows school districts to continue or expand agreements permitting students residing in one district to attend classes in another district, including CS courses not offered in the student’s home district.

  • CS in CTE instruction (grades 9–12)

    • Modifies CTE instruction in the arts, communications, and information systems or applied sciences, technology, engineering, and manufacturing service areas to allow up to one unit of instruction related to computer science, if the teacher holds:
    • an initial CTE authorization, or
    • a CTE authorization issued by the BOEE.

  • Graduation requirement for CS

    • Beginning with the graduating class of 2029-2030, all students must complete one-half (1/2) unit of computer science to graduate.
    • The graduation requirement does not apply to students who enroll in a district or accredited nonpublic school in grade 12 after being enrolled in a school located outside the state.

  • Waivers of the graduation requirement

    • Districts and accredited nonpublic schools may apply to the Department of Education (DE) for a one-time waiver of the CS graduation requirement.
    • The state board of education must adopt rules establishing standards for waiver applications, and DE must consider and approve waivers.

  • Department of Education responsibilities

    • DE must publish on its website information about CS courses that satisfy DE’s requirements and about courses that may satisfy the CS graduation requirement.
    • DE is to review and approve waiver applications under the guidelines established by the Board.

  • Reporting requirements

    • School districts must annually report to DE specified information related to teachers who provide CS instruction.

Affected parties

  • Students: who may take CS courses, and who are subject to the new graduation requirement beginning with the 2029-2030 cohort.
  • School districts and accredited nonpublic schools: responsible for offering CS, applying for waivers if desired, and reporting to DE.
  • Department of Education (DE): publishes information, administers waiver processes, and collects annual CS-related reporting.
  • Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE): issues CTE authorizations required for CS instruction under the CTE framework.
  • CS teachers: must hold the appropriate CTE authorization to count CS units under the CTE instruction provisions.

Implementation timeline and process

  • Graduation requirement effective: for the graduating class of 2029-2030 (1/2 unit of CS required).
  • Waiver mechanism: one-time waiver option for districts/nonpublic schools; DE to set standards via board rules.
  • Information dissemination: DE will publish CS course information on its website.
  • Annual reporting: districts must report CS-related instructional data to DE each year.

Status and sponsorship

  • Status: Subcommittee recommends passage.
  • Introduced: February 6, 2025.
  • Sponsor: Representative Ingels (primary).

Potential impacts to monitor

  • Districts may need to expand CS offerings or adjust cross-district enrollment practices to align with the CS graduation requirement.
  • School districts and nonpublic schools will face new reporting duties about CS instruction and teacher credentials.
  • DE and BOEE must implement new waiver processes and publish CS course information, which may require administrative resources.

Overall, HF 253 moves toward making CS a graduation-level requirement by 2029-2030, expands the pool of CS-eligible CTE instructors, and provides a framework for waivers and information sharing to support implementation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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