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AB 2298

Pupil instruction: computer science: content standards and instructional materials.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jacqui Irwin

AB 2298 directs California to start considering cybersecurity, AI, and media literacy in K–12 standards and instructional materials when relevant frameworks are revised or adopted

From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
#pupilinstruction #computerscience #contentstandardsandinstructionalmaterials
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Bill Summary · AB 2298

What AB 2298 is about

  • California Assembly Bill 2298 (AB 2298), introduced by Assembly Member Irwin, would influence how cybersecurity and related digital literacy are incorporated into pupil instruction in California public schools.
  • The bill focuses on the process by which computer science content standards and instructional materials are revised and adopted, requiring consideration of cybersecurity skills as part of those updates after January 1, 2027.

Main purpose and intent

  • To ensure that cybersecurity skills are considered for inclusion in California's computer science content standards and in the criteria used to evaluate computer science instructional materials.
  • The bill signals the Legislature’s intent to advance cybersecurity literacy as part of K–12 computer science education, aligning with broader cybersecurity efforts in the state.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions (Section 33548):
    • Cybersecurity skills: Techniques to protect information and devices by preventing, detecting, and responding to attacks.
    • AI literacy, digital citizenship, media literacy: Also defined to support integrated literacy efforts in K–12 education.
  • Sequenced implementation triggers:
    • When the English/ELA curriculum framework is next revised (post-Jan 1, 2024), the Commission should consider media literacy content at all grade levels.
    • When ELA/ELD instructional materials are next adopted (post-Jan 1, 2025), the Commission should consider including Model Library Standards (Section 18101) with media literacy content in its criteria for evaluating instructional materials.
    • When mathematics, science, and history–social science instructional materials are next adopted (post-Jan 1, 2025), the Commission should consider including media literacy content in its criteria.
    • When mathematics, science, and history–social science curriculum frameworks are next revised (post-Jan 1, 2025), the Commission should consider incorporating AI literacy content.
    • When computer science content standards are next revised (post-Jan 1, 2027), the Commission should consider incorporating cybersecurity skills into those standards.
    • When computer science instructional materials are next adopted (post-Jan 1, 2027), the Commission should consider including cybersecurity skills in its criteria for evaluating instructional materials.
  • Ongoing emphasis:
    • The bill emphasizes consideration rather than a mandatory, immediate mandate. It directs the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing/Instructional Quality Commission (the Commission) to weigh cybersecurity and related literacies in future revisions and material-adoption processes when those frameworks/materials are updated after the stated dates.

Who or what would be affected

  • The Instructional Quality Commission (or related California education standards commissions) would be responsible for integrating:
    • Cybersecurity skills into computer science standards and related criteria for evaluating instructional materials, starting with revisions and material adoptions occurring after January 1, 2027.
  • Curriculum frameworks and instructional materials across multiple subjects (ELA/ELD, mathematics, science, history-social science) would be nudged to consider media literacy, AI literacy, and, later, cybersecurity skills as part of their evaluation criteria during scheduled revisions/adoptions (timelines specified in the bill).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Amendments apply when:
    • Computer science content standards are next revised after January 1, 2027.
    • Computer science instructional materials are next adopted after January 1, 2027.
  • Interim steps (post-2024 to 2025 revisions/adoptions) guide the integration of media literacy and AI literacy into other subject frameworks and material criteria.
  • The bill explicitly states legislative intent to enact related cybersecurity legislation, signaling a broader policy interest beyond this specific provision.

Summary of potential impact

  • Positive impact on workforce readiness and digital safety by embedding cybersecurity skills into state standards and instructional-material evaluation criteria in computer science.
  • Encourages a broader, cross-disciplinary emphasis on media literacy and AI literacy as foundational competencies in K–12 education.
  • Provides a clear, though phased, roadmap for updating standards and materials to reflect cybersecurity considerations, starting with revisions/adoptions after 2027.

Note: AB 2298 sets expectations for future revisions rather than mandating immediate changes, with full implementation contingent on the scheduling of updates to standards and instructional materials by the State Board of Education and the Commission.

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

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