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SCS/SBs 894 & 921 - Subject to appropriation, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall create the "STEM Career Awareness Program" to increase STEM career awareness among students in grades six through eight. The statewide program shall introduce students to a wide variety of STEM careers and technology through an online-based STEM curriculum. Before January 1, 2019, DESE shall solicit proposals and select a provider for the online program using specified criteria or choose a third-party nonprofit entity to implement the program, solicit proposals, and select a provider. The program shall be funded by the "STEM Career Awareness Program Fund" and shall be promoted beginning with the 2019-2020 school year. Additionally, the act requires DESE to develop a high school graduation policy that allows a student to fulfill one unit of academic credit with a district-approved computer science course for any math, science, or practical arts unit required for high school graduation. The graduation policy shall require that all students have either taken all courses that require end-of-course exams or are on track to take all courses that require end-of-course exams under the Missouri School Improvement Program. For a student who chooses to take advanced computer science in lieu of algebra II to fulfill one unit of math required for high school graduation, the student's school shall communicate to such student that some institutions of higher education may require the completion of algebra II for the purpose of college admission. Additionally, the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of each student who chooses to take advanced computer science in lieu of algebra II shall sign and submit to the student's school a document containing a statement acknowledging that not taking algebra II may have an adverse effect on college admission decisions. DESE and the Coordinating Board for Higher Education shall cooperate in developing and implementing academic performance standards relating to computer science, however, the ultimate responsibility shall remain with the State Board of Education. Before July 1, 2019, the State Board of Education shall convene a workgroup to develop and recommend academic performance standards relating to computer science. These standards shall be adopted and implemented beginning in the 2020-2021 school year. The Board shall also develop a procedure by which any licensed teacher who demonstrates sufficient content knowledge of computer science shall receive a special endorsement on his or her license signifying this specialized knowledge. This act creates the "Computer Science Fund" for the purpose of providing teacher professional development programs relating to computer science. The State Board shall award grants from the fund to eligible entities, as defined in the act, who have submitted an application to DESE, as specified in the act. This act is similar to HCS/HB 1623 (2018), SCS/HB 248 (2017), and HB 948 (2017). JAMIE ANDREWS
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