Bill

United States: Computer Science Education and Jobs Act of 2015

Computer Science Education and Jobs Act of 2015 Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to define "computer science" as the study of computers and algorithmic processes, including the study of computing principles, computer hardware, software design, computer applications, and the impact of computers on society. Redesignates "core academic subjects" as "priority subjects" and makes computer science a priority subject. Includes computer science teachers in professional development activities. Requires the Secretary of Education to give a priority in awarding advanced placement incentive program grants to entities focused on expanding access to advanced placement computer science programs. Requires state: (1) plans for school improvement to describe how the state will consider including computer science in its academic standards, accountability system, and assessments; and (2) report cards to describe the 10 most in-demand occupations in the state and how the subjects being taught to public school students in the state are exposing them to the knowledge and skills that are, or will be, in demand. Requires computer science teachers to be highly qualified by the end of the 2016-2017 school year. Includes computer science in the program awarding grants to partnerships between states, institutions of higher education (IHEs), and high-need local educational agencies to: (1) train and recruit mathematics and science teachers, and (2) develop more rigorous science and mathematics curricula. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive five-year grants to IHEs to: (1) develop courses that prepare undergraduate students to teach elementary and secondary school computer science, and (2) develop and fund teacher mentoring programs to support new computer science teachers. Amends the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 to include informatics and computer science majors and professionals in the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program (the Program recruits and prepares science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors and professionals to become mathematics and science teachers).

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• English

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