Manning Holds Press Conference on Bill to Implement Computer Science Graduation Requirement

COLUMBUS—Speaker Pro Tempore Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) today held a press conference on soon-to-be introduced legislation that will require students to take a computer science course to graduate high school in Ohio. Manning is sponsoring the legislation alongside State Representative Don Jones (R-Freeport).

Key provisions of the bill include:

• Requires public high schools to offer at least one computer science course to students by the 2027-2028 school year;
• Requires schools that do not have an existing computer science course to proactively notify parents of the new course offering;
• Requires schools that are not able to offer a computer science course in a traditional classroom setting by the deadline to submit an action plan to ODEW by June 30, 2027, outlining a plan to comply; and
• Starting with the graduating class of 2032, requires students to take one unit of computer science in any of grades 8-12 to graduate. 

“This legislation has been intentionally crafted to best serve Ohio schools and set students up for success in the modern workforce,” said Manning. 

“The goal of this bill is to set students up for success by allowing them to develop valuable skills and make Ohio a leader in tech education,” said Jones. “There is no doubt this will be transformative to education in Ohio.” 

Manning was joined by State Senators Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) and Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati), Chris Berry, President and CEO of OhioX, Rick Carfagna, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, and Julia Wynn, Director of State Government Affairs at Code.org. 

“Every company is a technology company in today's economy and innovation is transforming Ohio's industries - from healthcare to manufacturing, finance to logistics, and more,” said Berry. “Ohio's businesses need a strong tech workforce and Ohio's students need a strong tech education. Computer science education is a vital part of the foundation for Ohio's future success.”

“Ohio’s economic competitiveness depends on having a technologically proficient workforce that is prepared with the skill sets for jobs that have yet to even be invented,” said Carfagna. “Until we prioritize the development of talent in our own K-12 system through Computer Science, Ohio companies will continue to either look out of state for workers or apply for federal H-1B visas to import talent from overseas to fill tech and research positions.  Improving the access and quality of technology education in our K-12 system is just one of many opportunities Ohio must capitalize on to fill critical job openings, improve the economic mobility of its residents, and enhance our state’s overall competitiveness nationally and globally.”

“Although Ohio has made strides in recent years prioritizing policy that supports computer science, we still see the state trailing its neighbors in access to this critical, 21st century subject,” said Wynn. “A computer science graduation requirement is the policy that has the most significant impact on improving access, participation, and disparities between student groups in computer science. As Ohio looks to position its students for today’s in-demand jobs, computer science education will play a critical role in helping students develop the critical thinking, digital and data skills, and creative problem-solving needed in whatever career they choose.”

More information on the state of computer science education in Ohio and throughout the nation can be found here. 

The legislation awaits introduction in the Ohio House. A companion bill will also be introduced in the Ohio Senate.