AlabamaPublic school students need approved computer science study to graduate
Beginning with the class of 2032, Alabama public school students must complete approved computer science coursework to show digital literacy, without adding graduation credits.
What it does
Public school students must complete approved computer science coursework to show digital literacy, but this requirement does not add to the credits needed to graduate.
A computer science credit may count toward math, science, career training, or an elective, as the local superintendent decides; limits apply to replacing math or science credits.
A computer science course counts as a college and career readiness indicator only if it also meets another indicator, such as completing career training or earning a qualifying Advanced Placement score.
Argument forStudents may learn how computers work and how to create technology, including artificial intelligence, through coursework that can count toward graduation.
Argument againstStudents may have less room for other classes because computer science must fit within existing graduation credits, though the requirement does not add credits.
More detail
Public school students must demonstrate digital literacy through approved computer science coursework. This applies to all Alabama public school students. Students must earn at least one credit in an approved high school or college-level computer science course, or complete an approved course with embedded computer science skills and experiences. This requirement does not increase the total credits needed to graduate. This applies beginning with the graduating class of 2032.
A computer science credit may count toward one other course-credit category, as the local superintendent decides. This applies to computer science credits earned by public school students. The credit may count toward mathematics, science, career and technical education, or an elective. A computer science course may replace a mathematics or science credit only for a student earning a general education diploma, which requires four credits in each subject.
A computer science course counts as a college and career readiness indicator only if it also meets another readiness indicator. This applies when a computer science course is used as a college and career readiness indicator. Another indicator could include completing a career and technical education program or earning a qualifying score on an Advanced Placement exam. This applies beginning with the 2026–2027 school year.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 16EnactedBecame Law
- Apr 7Third Reading in Second House
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1171. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Third Reading in Second House. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 7Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1171Passed Senate
- Apr 7Ready to Enroll
- Apr 7EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 7Delivered to GovernorMinor
- Apr 7Signature Requested
- Feb 25Reported Out of Committee Second House
- Feb 25Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Education Policy)Minor
- Feb 18Pending Committee Action in Second House (Education Policy)
- Feb 17Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Education PolicyMinor
- Feb 12Third Reading in House of Origin
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 411. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 410. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Education Policy Engrossed Substitute Offered (Education Policy)Minor
- Feb 12Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 410Major
- Feb 12Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 411Passed House
- Feb 12Yarbrough intended to vote "Abstain"
- Feb 12Engrossed
- Feb 5Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Education Policy)Minor
- Feb 4Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (Education Policy)
- Jan 22Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Education PolicyMinor
- Jan 22Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Education Policy)Introduced
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