(a) On or before July 31, 2019, the Instructional Quality Commission shall consider developing and recommending to the state board computer science content standards for kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, pursuant to recommendations developed by a group of computer science experts. The Instructional Quality Commission shall consider existing computer science content standards, which include, but are not limited to, the national K–12 computer science content standards developed by the Computer Science Teachers Association, and consider content standards that include, but are not necessarily limited to, standards for teaching coding. For purposes of this section, “coding” is the process of converting a program design into an accurate and detailed representation of that program in a suitable language.

(b) (1) The Superintendent, in consultation with the state board, shall consider convening the group of experts referenced in subdivision (a), and shall ensure that the members of the group include, but are not necessarily limited to, all of the following:

(A) Teachers who teach computer science, including mathematics and science teachers, in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive.

(B) Schoolsite principals.

(C) School district or county office of education administrators.

(D) University professors.

(E) Representatives of private sector business or industry.

(2) The Superintendent, in consultation with the state board, shall ensure that one-half of the members of the group are teachers as described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1).

(c) The computer science content standards may be used by school districts to develop computer science programs and course assessments but are not mandatory.

(d) The operation of this section is subject to an appropriation being made for purposes of this section in the annual Budget Act or another statute.

(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 876, Sec. 1. (AB 1539) Effective January 1, 2015.)