The Committee on Education and Public Works proposes the following Amendment No. 1 to H. 3612 (COUNCIL\WAB\3612C001.RT.WAB21):

Reference is to the bill as introduced.

Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 2, Section 59-29-250, by adding an appropriately lettered subsection at the end to read:

/ (__)(1) Before July 1, 2023, the Department of Education shall create a career pathways system for the information technology cluster that:

(a) aligns public education and postsecondary education systems and the career and technology education services provided within and across program providers;

(b) aligns with state and regional workforce needs;

(c) provides students, teachers, parents, and families with general information about career pathways and with strategies to support students in acquiring the academic, employability, and technical skills that employers demand; and

(d) promotes the involvement and cooperative effort of parents, teachers, and school counselors in assisting students in making these choices, in setting career goals, and in developing individual graduation plans to achieve these goals.

(2) Before July 1, 2024, the Department of Education shall develop, procure, or identify curricula that:

(a) are aligned with state computer science standards;

(b) are organized around the career pathways and aligned with state and regional workforce needs as determined by the Department of Commerce;

(c) provide students with strong academic and real world problem-solving skills;

(d) provide students with individualized educational, academic, and career-oriented choices and a greater exposure to career information and opportunities in information technology and computer programming; and

(e) provide students beginning in elementary school with the opportunity to learn coding and computer programming.

(3) Beginning July 1, 2023, the Department of Education annually shall issue a report to the General Assembly that documents the number of students who have completed a career pathway in information technology and that documents student access to and participation in coding and computer programming in this State. The information must:

(a) be provided at the state level and district level; and

(b) report on the availability of such instruction to students, including enrollment, based on such student demographics as gender, race/ethnicity, special education status, and poverty status." /