TOPS update: Computer science language can substitute for foreign … – American Press
Published 3:36 pm Thursday, December 22, 2022
By Emily Burleigh
Louisiana high school students will now be able to substitute foreign language classes with computer science classes.
The Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to adopt Louisiana Senate Bill No. 191 on Tuesday. This bill allows students to substitute two computer science classes for foreign language classes in regards to TOPS, the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, requirements.
This change is in accordance with Act 502 of the 2022 regular legislative session. With this act come two additional options for students to earn their foreign language TOPS credits.
In addition to all previous accepted languages, indigenous language classes and computer science classes will be eligible to count as qualifying TOPS foreign language courses.
Prior, computer science courses were approved as math courses. They can now be counted as either math or foreign language classes, as well.
The bill was sponsored by Louisiana Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell, who believes encouraging computer science education is imperative to prepare students for the workforce.
“For Louisiana to compete in the global economy, we need to grow a workforce that is skilled in computer coding and related technologies,” said Hewitt in a tweet on May 9.
According to the Advocate, those that were in opposition to the bill claimed the institution of computer science classes as a foreign language would dissuade students from receiving a French education. They quoted state Rep. Mike Huval, R-Breaux Bridge, “I don’t want to see us move the advances that we have made since children were punished for speaking French to the classroom.”
Senate Bill No. 191 became effective and became ACT No. 502 on Thursday, June 16, 2022, after being signed by Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards.
The bill faced resistance in the Louisiana House, with a vote of 55 yeas to 40 nays to adopt the Conference Committee Report. However, the bill easily passed through the Louisiana senate and was signed off on Monday, June 6 2022 with a unanimous vote of 34 to 0.
The opportunity for students to sub Computer Science classes for foreign language classes will become available during the 2026-2027 school year.
Eligible classes include: Computer Science I, Computer Science II, Fundamentals of HTML, CSS and JavaScript (Level 1), Advanced JavaScript, Functional Programming and Web Development (Level 2), AP Computer Science, AP Computer Science Principles, Computer Science Year One IB and Computer Science Year Two IB.