Lawmakers want to make computer science classes a requirement at Ohio high schools

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A bipartisan bill would require Ohio high school students to complete at least one computer science course to graduate from high school.

The companion bills, one in the Ohio House and one in the Senate, are sponsored by Rep. Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville, and Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland.

Supporters of the bill said it will help set students up for success by allowing them to develop the skills needed to make Ohio a leader in tech education.

Key provisions of the bill include:

• Requires public high schools to offer at least one computer science course to students by the 2027-2028 school year;
• Requires schools that do not have an existing computer science course to proactively notify parents of the new course offering;
• Requires schools that are not able to offer a computer science course in a traditional classroom setting by the deadline to submit an action plan to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce by June 30, 2027, outlining a plan to comply; and
• Starting with the graduating class of 2032, requires students to take one unit of computer science in any of grades 8-12 to graduate.

“This legislation has been intentionally crafted to best serve Ohio schools and set students up for success in the modern workforce,” Manning said in a news release.

The bill comes as Central Ohio continues to be dubbed the “Silicon Heartland” with industries like Intel, Anduril, Amazon and Google choosing the region to expand their businesses.

The legislation is awaiting introduction to the House and Senate.

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