Computer Science Graduation Requirement
G.S.115C-12(9d). Computer Science amends G.S.115C-12(9d) to require the State Board of Education to include instruction in Computer Science in the standard course of study for middle and high school students. G.S.115C-12(9d) was adopted by the North Carolina Legislature on September 21, 2023, and was signed into law on September 29, 2023. The following is a highlight of the requirements of G.S.115C-12(9d). Computer Science:
- Adds one credit of Computer Science instruction to the North Carolina Graduation Requirements starting for students entering nineth grade in the 2024–2025 school year.
- This will not increase the total number of credits but reduces the total required number of elective credits by one.
- Requires every Public School Unit to offer a Computer Science course(s) to high school students to fulfill the graduation requirement by the 2026–2027 school year, and as early as the 2024-25 school year.
- The course(s) that meet the graduation requirement provided may be offered to middle school students and would fulfill the requirement.
- Requires the Department of Public Instruction to adopt a list of approved courses that would fulfill the Computer Science graduation requirement and publish the list on the department’s website by November 1, 2023.
- Requires every Public School Unit to offer an elective introductory Computer Science course in middle school that surveys the field of Computer Science by the 2025–2026 school year.
- Requires the Department of Public Instruction to adopt a list of approved courses that would fulfill the middle school elective introductory Computer Science course requirement and publish the list on the department’s website by January 1, 2025.
- Requires the Computer Science courses be conducted in person when practicable but may offer remote enrollment options that meet the requirements of Part 11 of Article 16 of G.S.115C.
Students Exempted from the Graduation Requirements
There are two exemptions to the Computer Science graduation requirement for two student groups.
- Students entering a public high school after completing the eleventh grade will be exempt from the Computer Science graduation requirement.
- Students on an individualized education program may be exempted if their disability would prevent them from completing the graduation requirement.
Local Implementation Delay Waiver Requests
For school year 2024–2025 or 2025–2026, a Public School Unit may submit a signed notification to the Department of Public Instruction stating that a Computer Science course that fulfills the high school graduation requirement was not available to students by July 1 of each school year.
For school year 2025–2026, a Public School Unit may submit a signed notification to the Department of Public Instruction stating that a middle school elective introductory Computer Science course was not available to students by July 1, 2025.
Required Course Lists
The SBE approved the list of courses satisfying Computer Science graduation requirement starting in school year 2024-2025.
The SBE approved the list of courses that would satisfy the middle school elective introductory to computer science course offering requirement starting in school year 2025-2026.
An annual review of courses will occur to determine the eligibility of new state-managed courses or local course options to be included on the list. All courses to be considered will be submitted to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for review by August 1 of each year for implementation the following academic year. A course will be deemed eligible if at least 80% of the course focuses on three or more of the following Computer Science principles:
- Computing systems and applications
- Networks and the internet
- Data analytics
- Programming and algorithms
- Impacts of technology
Updates to the list will be presented annually to the State Board of Education for approval.