Education: curriculum; public high schools to offer a computer science course; require. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1166c.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Joey Andrews and 22 co-sponsors

Beginning in 2027–2028, every public high school must offer at least one computer science course.

assigned PA 206'24

#education:curriculum #education:highschools

Summary — HB 5649 (Enrolled as Public Act 206 of 2024 / Add’l Sec. 1166c to Revised School Code)

Status / Effective dates
- Enacted as Act No. 206, Public Acts of 2024; approved by the Governor Jan. 17, 2025; filed with the Secretary of State Jan. 17, 2025. Effective date: April 2, 2025.
- Legal requirement to begin offering courses: beginning with the 2027–2028 school year.

Purpose
- To ensure every public high school in Michigan offers at least one computer science course so students statewide have access to instruction in computing and related skills.

Key provisions
- Requirement: Beginning in 2027–2028, each public high school must offer at least one computer science course to enrolled pupils, as determined by the local district, intermediate school district (ISD), or public school academy (PSA).
- Course standards:
- The course must meet or exceed standards adopted by the State Board of Education.
- The course must be listed as an option on the school’s course catalog (confirmed by the district/ISD/PSA).
- Delivery modality:
- Except for schools that operate entirely virtually, schools must make a good-faith effort to offer the course in person.
- If an in‑person offering is not feasible, the school may provide the course via virtual or distance-based options.
- Definitions:
- “Computer science” is defined to include study of computers and algorithmic processes (principles, hardware/software design and implementation, societal impacts) and emphasizes creating new technologies rather than only using technology.
- “Public high school” is any public school offering at least one of grades 9–12.

Who is affected
- Public high schools (district schools, ISDs, PSAs) and their students statewide.
- Local education agencies may need to hire teachers, develop curriculum, or contract for virtual offerings to comply.

Fiscal and implementation impacts
- No direct fiscal impact on the State Department of Education reported.
- Potential negative fiscal impact on some local districts, ISDs, and PSAs that do not currently offer qualifying computer science courses. Costs will vary (staffing, training, materials, or virtual program contracts).
- CEPI data (2022–23 MSDS estimate): of 1,265 reporting high schools, 864 (68%) had students taking at least one computer science–related course and 401 (32%) did not report such students — indicating many schools may need to add offerings.

Notes
- Earlier bill versions proposed annual reporting to CEPI and estimated state data-collection costs; those reporting provisions do not appear in the final enacted text.
- The statutory addition appears as MCL 380.1166c.