Michigan Legislature Passes Bill Mandating Computer Science Courses in Public High Schools

In a significant move for computer science education in Michigan, legislation has passed the state House of Representatives that requires public high schools to provide at least one computer science course. State Representative Carol Glanville, who sponsored the bill, believes that it will prepare students for high-paying computing jobs available in the state. According to her, computer science is a fundamental literacy skill necessary for both current and future jobs.

The bill is set to take effect during the 2027-2028 school year. The non-partisan House Fiscal Agency conducted an analysis of the bill and found that most schools already have students taking some form of computer science classes. Glanville hopes that this bill will help schools identify these skills and address any gaps in education.

Despite its bipartisan support, not all representatives were happy with the bill’s passing. Representative Brad Paquette, a former teacher, expressed concerns about creating more requirements on schools without proper consideration of their impact on student learning. He urged lawmakers to use proven best practices to address deeper issues within Michigan’s education system rather than implementing new mandates.

The bill will now be considered by the state Senate before becoming law. If approved, it will become mandatory for all public high schools in Michigan to offer at least one computer science course starting from the 2027-2028 school year.