1. (1) The general assembly finds that:

   1. (a) Computer science and computer coding skills are widely recognized as valuable assets in the current and future job market;
   2. (b) Students in Colorado would benefit from taking computer science and coding courses in high school;
   3. (c) High school students who are exposed to computer science and coding courses in high school are more likely to take such courses in college;
   4. (d) Many high school students are not taking computer science and coding courses because they are elective courses and do not count toward graduation requirements;
   5. (e) According to the Code.org Advocacy Coalition, in states that count a computer science course as either a math or science credit toward graduation, the average class size is fifty-three percent bigger than in states where computer science is only an elective; and
   6. (f) More high school students would take computer science and coding courses if they fulfilled a graduation requirement in mathematics or science.
2. (2) All school districts are encouraged to offer in every high school one or more courses in computer science and coding.
3. (3) All school districts are encouraged to and may elect to treat computer science and coding courses as a mathematics or science course and count completion of a computer science or coding course toward the fulfillment of any mathematics or science graduation requirement.

Source: L. 2016: Entire section added, (HB 16-1198), ch. 122, p. 345, § 1, effective August 10.