Bill: Computer courses could replace some math for students
A bill designed to encourage Ohio schools to offer more computerscience courses, including those that could replace some math and science requirements, got unanimous approval Tuesday from the Ohio Senate.
As tech companies continue to report struggles to fill jobs, House Bill 170 is designed to ensure that the state establishes computerscience standards while providing students more course options.
“Anyone concerned by the achievement gap, or those who think today’s learners should utilize technological resources, or those who want Ohio to remain competitive in future job markets, they should support increased access to computer science in schools,” Sen. Peggy Lehner, R-Kettering, told her colleagues.
The legislation would let a school substitute advanced computer science for either algebra II or a science course that does not include life science or biology.
It also requires the state Board of Education to develop model curriculum for computer science for kindergarten through 12th grade by the end of 2018, including advanced computer-science courses in grades nine through 12.
If a student decides to swap computer science for algebra II, the bill requires a district to notify a parent that the decision could impact the student’s ability to get into universities that require the math course for admission.
“School districts will still have local control in deciding what classes they will offer,” Lehner said.
The bill, jointly sponsored by Reps. Rick Carfagna, R-Westerville, and Mike Duffey, R-Worthington, will head back to the House for final approval of Senate changes, and then will go to Gov. John Kasich.
In other legislative action Tuesday:
• The Senate gave final approval to a bill creating two new Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court judges in Franklin County.
Data show the courts in Franklin County, which handle cases including juvenile-delinquency offenses, divorces, civilprotection orders, child custody and child support, have the highest incoming caseload per judge among all metropolitan areas in the state.
Ohio Supreme Court staff, county commissioners and others support increasing the judges to seven from five, with new openings filled on the 2018 ballot if Kasich signs the bill.
They would be the first new judges in Franklin County since a Common Pleas Court judge was added in 2005.
•The House gave final approval to a bill that would legalize and regulate fantasy sports in Ohio, putting it under the Casino Control Commission. The bill deals largely with online gaming sites such as Draft Kings and FanDuel, where players pay money to select athletes and potentially win money based on how they perform in real games.
•The House approved a bill naming Feb. 3 as Charles Follis Day, recognizing the first black football player in America. Follis attended Wooster High School and Wooster College before playing for the Shelby Blues in the Ohio League from 1902 to 1906. The bill will now go to the Senate.