Resolve, To Implement Certain Recommendations of the Computer Science Education Task Force

Sec. 1. Statewide plan for computer science. Resolved: That the Department of Education shall lead the effort to expand computer science education in the State's elementary and secondary schools through collaboration with the Computer Science for Maine Coalition, the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Council and other supportive partners. The department shall create a statewide plan for computer science education to communicate and implement the department's vision of and goals for kindergarten to grade 12 computer science education in the State. As part of the plan, the department shall assign a staff member beginning in the 2018-2019 school year to serve as the kindergarten to grade 12 computer science liaison to support the implementation of computer science education across the State's schools. Priorities of the plan must include:

1. Assigning a staff member with dedicated time to support computer science teachers in the State;

2. Advocating for continued growth of computer science education in the State through supporting efforts to integrate computer science education standards into classroom instruction and graduation requirements; and

3. Advocating for the development of multiple pathways for preservice aspiring and in-service professional teachers to become computer science teachers.

SUMMARY

This resolve is reported out by the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs pursuant to Resolve 2017, chapter 21, section 4. This resolve includes certain recommendations proposed in the report submitted by the computer science education task force for consideration by the 128th Legislature.

The joint standing committee has not taken a position on the substance of the report or this resolve; and by submitting this resolve the committee is not suggesting and does not intend to suggest that it agrees or disagrees with any aspect of the recommendations and the necessary changes to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A included in the report or this resolve. The joint standing committee is submitting the resolve for the sole purpose of turning certain proposals in the report into a printed resolve that can be referred to the committee for an appropriate public hearing and subsequent processing in the normal course of business. The joint standing committee is taking this action to ensure clarity and transparency in the legislative review of the proposals included in the report submitted by the computer science education task force.