Washington CS Education Advocacy Information

 
Last updated: Oct 22, 2024

Metrics

Legislation

  • SB 5849 (2024) Beginning with the 2029 graduating class, all students shall be required to show competency in the high school learning standards related to computer science in order to graduate from high school through a variety of mechanisms.  Note:  This bill passed the State Senate but stalled in the House
     
  • SB 5088 (2019) required that each school district that operates a high school must provide access to an elective computer science course by the 2022–2023 school year.   Note:  In the 2022-23 school year, only 47% of Washington high schools offer a computer science elective. 
     
  • HB 1577 (2019) required each school district to report the number of computer science course offerings and demographics of the students enrolled in the courses, starting in June 2020.
     
  • SB 5657 (2022) required each school district operating an institutional education program for youth in state long-term juvenile institutions to provide an opportunity to access an elective computer science course.
     
  • SB 5389 (2021) requires that PESB establish two specialty endorsements for computer science one for elementary and one for secondary.  Note:  Despite investigation, no providers were ever certified to provide the training for these specialty endorsements and no Washington state teacher has received this specialty endorsement.   Note that the endorsement would not have qualified any teacher to teach a particular course - only that they had taken the necessary PD.  
     
  • HB 1813 (2015) Expanding computer science education.  Required OSPI to develop computer science learning standards, PESB to create a computer science endorsement, and create the Educator Retooling Scholarship.   Note:   Washington adopted CS standards are exactly the same as CSTA standards.
     
  • HB 1472 (2014) Providing initiatives to improve and expand access to computer science education.   Allow AP Computer Science to be used as either Math or Science credit. 

Identity Inclusive Legislation

Initiative 2081.   Concerning parental rights relating to their children's public-school education.   This would affect student privacy (against Human Rights Commission guidelines of student privacy) and require outing of LGBTQ+ .   Note:  This initiative passed in 2081 despite Democratic party (majority party controlling governor and both houses) opposition.   The most controversial portions are now blocked by the courts.  Several other bills affecting trans and gender-non conforming students did not pass. 
 
Washington legislature laws on special education.  Washington compliance with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
 
 Washington is one of the few states to identify specific disadvantaged populations in its computer science education legislation.  CS Education grants FP777 (Computer Science Education Grant) and FP656 (AP Computer Science Initiative Grant) both give preferences to schools/districts with large numbers of low-income students. SB 5657 (2022) supports computer science education in juvenile institutions. 
 

Funding for CS Education

June 2024 Connector - Washington CS Ed Grants (Jun 03, 2024) (csteachers.org)  contains a summary of current funding for CS Education in Washington.
 

Planning

  • The Teacher Spotlight in each issue of the PSCSTA Connector provides real-life examples of how other teachers in the state have built their CS education programs.
     
  • Contact the PSCSTA Chapter Advocacy Lead at csta.pugetsound@gmail.com for other questions you have regarding planning to start or expand CS at your school. 

Resources