TOPS update: The language of computer science could replace a foreign language
Released at 3:36 pm on Thursday, December 22, 2022
- McNeese State University was recently named to US News and World Report’s Best Colleges list. (Photo credit: McNeice State University)
High school students in Louisiana will be able to replace foreign language classes with computer science classes.
The Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education passed Louisiana Senate Bill No. 191 on Tuesday. The bill would allow a student to use her two computer science classes in lieu of a foreign language class in regards to TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students) requirements.
This change will be made pursuant to Act 502 of the 2022 Ordinary Congress. The law provides her two additional options for students to earn Foreign Language TOPS credits.
In addition to all previously accepted languages, indigenous language classes and computer science classes are eligible to count as qualifying TOPS foreign language courses.
Previous, the computer science course was approved as a mathematics course. It is now counted as math and foreign language classes.
The bill was sponsored by Louisiana Senator Sharon Hewitt (R-Slidell). He believes that encouraging computer science education is essential to preparing students for employment.
“FourLouisiana needs to develop a workforce skilled in computer coding and related technologies to compete in the global economy,” Hewitt said in a May 9 tweet.
Opponents of the bill argued that conducting computer science classes in a foreign language would deter students from pursuing a French education, according to the advocate. They quoted his State Representative Mike Huval of R-Breaux Bridge.
Senate Bill No. 191 became Act No. 502, taking effect on Thursday, June 16, 2022 after being signed into law by Louisiana Gov. John Bell Edwards.
The bill faced opposition in the Louisiana House of Representatives, which voted against it. 55 to 40 years to adoption of conference committee reports. However, the bill passed the Louisiana Senate without difficulty, and on Monday, June 6, 2022, he was approved by a 34-0 unanimous vote.
During the 2026-2027 academic year, opportunities will be available for students to sub-computer science classes in foreign language classes.
Classes covered: Computer Science I, Computer Science II, HTML, CSS, JavaScript Fundamentals (Level 1), Advanced JavaScript, Functional Programming and Web Development (Level 2), AP Computer Science, AP Computer Science Principles, Computer Science 1st year IB and 2nd year IB in Computer Science.
