(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Troy Singleton and Patrick Diegnan, placing a greater emphasis on the importance of computer science in high school education received final legislative approval Monday and now heads to the governor’s desk.
“The value of advanced computer science training at an early age cannot be underestimated,” said Singleton (D-Burlington). “It’s a pathway to success in life that should be nurtured as an area of critical importance within our curriculum.”
Under the bill (A-2597), school districts throughout New Jersey would be required to allow an Advanced Placement (AP) computer science course to satisfy a part of the total mathematics credit requirements for high school graduation, beginning with the 2016-2017 freshman class.
“Without question, computer science is an integral part of the education curriculum these days,” said Diegnan (D-Middlesex), Chair of the Assembly Education Committee. “A vast majority of higher paying jobs these days are in computer-related fields, underscoring the need for us to prioritize computer training in high school.”
In order for a student to use the course to satisfy a part of the mathematics credit requirement, he or she must be concurrently enrolled in or have successfully completed algebra I and geometry or the content equivalent.
The measure was approved 73-0-1 by the Assembly, and 38-0 by the Senate on Jan. 7.