High School Graduation Requirements. Washington State students must meet various requirements to graduate high school and receive a diploma. Students must complete 24 credits in specified subject areas as determined by the State Board of Education (SBE). Students must also complete a High School and Beyond Plan (HBSP), meet the requirements of at least one graduation pathway, and satisfy any local requirements.
Graduating students in the class of 2021 and subsequent classes must earn 17 core academic credits, four elective credits, and three locally determined personalized pathway credits.
Program of Basic Education and State Learning Goals. Washington's program of basic education establishes four goals for school districts pertaining to the opportunity for every student to develop the knowledge and skills essential for practicing certain academic skills and concepts.
The third goal addresses thinking "analytically, logically, and creatively, and to integrate technology literacy and fluency as well as different experiences and knowledge to form reasoned judgments and solve problems." The fourth goal addresses "the importance of work and finance and how performance, effort, and decisions directly affect future career and educational opportunities."
State Learning Standards. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is required to develop state learning standards that identify the knowledge and skills all public school students need to know and be able to do. Learning standards are based on the student learning goals of basic education as laid out in statute. State law also requires OSPI to periodically revise the state learning standards as needed.
Computer Science Graduation Requirements. Beginning with the 2029 graduating class, all students are required to show competency in the high school learning standards related to computer science in order to graduate from high school.
Students may demonstrate this computer science competency graduation requirement via:
The demonstration of competency could include completion of a competency examination or any of the options allowed by rules adopted by the SBE that address mastery-based crediting, such as:
Consideration of seat time or instructional hours is not required to demonstrate competency. Students must be allowed to present multiple types of evidence for the demonstration of competency. Students in grade 12 who have not been able to show computer science competency because of previous residence outside the state may have the requirement waived by their principal.
The bill specifies that the additional computer science graduation requirements do not increase the number of high school credits required for graduation as established by the SBE.
Computer Science Learning Standards. OSPI shall initiate a review and update of the state computer science learning standards for students in grades kindergarten through grade 12. In developing the update of the state computer science learning standards, OSPI shall review standards adopted by other states and consult with nonprofit organizations that have demonstrated expertise in assisting states in developing computer science learning standards.
State Learning Goals. To the maximum extent possible the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall integrate technology literacy and fluency from goal three in the state learning standards, as opposed to specifically integrating goal four.
PRO: Technological skills are important and necessary to thrive in a 21st century digital economy. It is not necessary to wait until high school to learn computer science. Many students will have already mastered computer science basics by the time the bill's implementation go into effect. Computer science is as foundational as math or English. Allowing students in middle school to complete the requirement will ensure that students have the ability to take additional courses in high school. 92 percent of jobs in all fields will require technological skills. If requirements are not in place, the most vulnerable students in Washington will be left behind. It is critical that students understand the importance of technology and related skills. There is a high and growing necessity for computer science skills. Washington has the highest proportion of tech jobs in the country; the bill would help students gain skills for these jobs. Current certification requirements have made it more difficult for districts to have qualified computer science teachers; reducing some administrative burdens will lead to more schools being able to offer computer science.
CON: Computer science is not needed for all students. There is only so much time for coursework that is relevant to their future goals.
OTHER: There is a need for the K-12 education system to adjust to a fast-moving world. While the bill allows flexibility for meeting the bill requirements, there are concerns about implementation. Current learning standards go beyond what students need to know in technology and media literacy. Equity concerns exist with available resources, teachers, and competency opportunities. The bill does not address the advanced skills needed to be successful in college computer science courses. The system may not be ready to fully implement a competency requirement with such high stakes.