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HB 1891

SCH CD-COMPUTER SCIENCE REQ

104th Regular Session Introduced by Nabeela Syed

Illinois HB 1891 mandates computer science as a high school graduation requirement to ensure digital workforce readiness across all districts.

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 1891

Legislative bill overview

HB 1891 proposes to add computer science as a graduation requirement for high school students in Illinois. The bill would mandate that all students complete at least one computer science course before earning their diploma, making it a core academic requirement alongside traditional subjects like math and English.

Why is this important

As technology increasingly dominates the workforce and daily life, computer science literacy is considered essential preparation for college and career readiness. This requirement would significantly expand access to computer science education across Illinois schools, particularly benefiting students in under-resourced districts who might otherwise lack such opportunities. However, implementation requires schools to hire qualified instructors, update curricula, and allocate budget resources.

Potential points of contention

  • Teacher shortage and training costs: Schools may struggle to find qualified computer science instructors, requiring expensive professional development programs or salary increases to attract talent
  • District resource inequality: Wealthier districts may implement the requirement more easily than underfunded districts, potentially widening educational gaps rather than closing them
  • Curriculum flexibility concerns: Stakeholders may disagree on what constitutes acceptable computer science coursework—whether coding-focused, technology-literacy based, or interdisciplinary approaches should count

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

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