House Bill 329 Alabama 2026 Session

Updated Feb 12, 2026

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 Alabama public school students to complete an approved computer science course to graduate, expand the CS definition, and set new course standards.
What This Bill Does
HB329 would require all Alabama public school students to complete an approved computer science course to graduate, with a digital literacy requirement starting with the class of 2032. It expands the definition of computer science to include related technologies, including emerging tech like artificial intelligence, and sets standards for approved CS courses and content. It requires public schools to offer CS courses at the high school, middle school, and elementary levels beginning in 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23 respectively, with in-person delivery preferred and virtual options only when in-person is not practicable and with an annual rationale. CS credits earned could count toward graduation credits and may substitute for math, science, or elective credits under certain diploma pathways, without increasing the total number of credits required, and starting with the class of 2021 could count toward college admission requirements for Alabama public institutions.

Who It Affects
Public K-12 students in Alabama who would be required to complete an approved CS course to graduate, and who would need to earn a CS credit for digital literacy beginning in 2032.
Public schools, school districts, and the Alabama Department of Education, which would implement CS course offerings, approve course standards, provide teacher professional development, and report on CS delivery.

Key Provisions
Expands the definition of computer science to include related technologies and emphasizes teaching students how to create new technologies (not just how to use technology).
Requires all public school students to complete an approved computer science course to graduate, with a digital literacy requirement beginning with the graduating class of 2032.
Provides standards for approved computer science courses and content, and defines high-quality professional learning for teachers.
Requires public schools to offer at least one authentic CS course in high school starting in 2020-21, in middle school starting in 2021-22, and in elementary school starting in 2022-23, with courses meeting board-approved standards.
High school CS courses must be offered in-person, with virtual/distance options only when in-person is not practicable, and the rationale for distance offering must be included in the annual report.
CS credits may count toward graduation credits and may substitute for math, science, or elective credits under specified diploma pathways; starting with the class of 2021, CS credits can also count toward college admission requirements for Alabama public colleges; the substitution is limited by the standard diploma pathway rules (four math credits and four science credits).
Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Education