House Bill 329 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David FaulknerRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Education; public K-12 schools, completion of approved computer science course required

Summary

HB329 would require all Alabama public K-12 students to complete an approved computer science course to graduate, while expanding CS definitions and setting standards, timelines, and digital literacy goals for CS instruction.

What This Bill Does

It broadens the definition of computer science to include algorithmic thinking, hardware/software design, and emerging technologies like AI. It requires public schools to offer CS at each level (HS, MS, ES) on an approved list and to ensure high-quality content, with in-person HS delivery unless impracticable. It allows CS credits to count toward math, science, CTE, or elective credits, and gradually builds toward a mandatory digital literacy standard by the class of 2032, while not increasing total graduation credits and clarifying how CS interacts with CCR indicators.

Who It Affects

• Public school students (K-12) in Alabama who will be required to complete an approved CS course to graduate, with CS credits potentially counting toward other graduation requirements and a future digital literacy standard.
• Educators, school systems, and CS course providers (colleges, nonprofits, private entities) responsible for offering department-approved CS courses, delivering high-quality professional learning, and complying with new standards and reporting requirements.

Key Provisions

• Computer science is defined broadly to include the study of algorithms, hardware and software design, implementation, societal impact, and emerging technologies (including AI), with an emphasis on creating new technologies.
• Starting in 2020-2021, public high schools must offer at least one department-approved authentic CS course; starting in 2021-2022, public middle schools must offer CS; starting in 2022-2023, elementary schools must offer instruction on basics of CS and computational thinking.
• CS courses offered by public schools must be high quality, meet department standards, and appear on the approved list; high school CS courses must be taught in person unless impracticable, in which case a virtual/distance option may be used with a stated rationale in the annual report.
• Beginning with the graduating class of 2031-2032, all CS courses that count for graduation must include CS concepts as defined by the bill, and the department must publish minimum standards for embedded CS content and a list of approved CS courses that meet those standards without increasing total graduation credits.
• CS credits earned may fulfill one math, one science, one CTE, or one elective credit; math/science credits may only be replaced by department-approved CS courses for students pursuing a General Education Diploma, which requires four math and four science credits.
• Beginning with the graduating class of 2032, all public school students must demonstrate digital literacy by earning at least one department-approved CS credit or an embedded CS course, with standards published by the department; CS completion will be considered for college and career readiness only if it meets other CCR indicators (e.g., CTE completer status or AP score).
• The act becomes effective October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 17, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education