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Read. Follow. Verify.Alabama requires public school students to complete an approved computer science course for graduation starting with the class of 2032
Last action · April 16, 2026: EnactedSponsor: David Faulkner
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What This Bill Does
Beginning with students graduating in the 2031-2032 school year, Alabama public school students must earn at least one credit in a department-approved computer science course or a course with embedded computer science skills to graduate. The legislation expands the state's definition of computer science to include emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and takes effect October 1, 2026.
Changes graduation criteria for all public high school students across the state by mandating digital literacy credits, without increasing the total number of credits required to graduate.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
public school students
Students graduating in the 2031-2032 school year and later must complete at least one approved computer science credit or course with embedded computer science skills to graduate.
State Department of Education
The department is required to publish lists of approved courses, develop minimum standards for embedded skills, and ensure graduation requirements include computer science instruction.
public high schools
High schools must offer at least one authentic computer science course from a department-approved list and prioritize in-person classroom settings over virtual instruction.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the new computer science graduation requirement take effect?
Will the computer science requirement increase the total number of credits needed to graduate?
What types of courses can fulfill the computer science requirement?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Became law.
Procedural history
21 actions- Apr 16, 2026HouseEnrolledEnacted
- Apr 7, 2026SenateSignature Requested
- Apr 7, 2026HouseEnrolledDelivered to Governor
- Apr 7, 2026HouseEnrolled
- Apr 7, 2026HouseReady to Enroll
- Apr 7, 2026SenateFloorMotion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1171
Show 15 earlier actions
- Apr 7, 2026SenateThird Reading in Second House
- Feb 25, 2026SenateRead for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- Feb 25, 2026SenateCommitteeReported Out of Committee Second House
- Feb 18, 2026SenateCommitteePending Committee Action in Second House
- Feb 17, 2026SenateIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Education Policy
- Feb 12, 2026HouseEngrossed
- Feb 12, 2026HouseYarbrough intended to vote "Abstain"
- Feb 12, 2026HouseFloorMotion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 411
- Feb 12, 2026HouseMotion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 410
- Feb 12, 2026HouseEducation Policy Engrossed Substitute Offered
- Feb 12, 2026HouseThird Reading in House of Origin
- Feb 5, 2026HouseRead for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- Feb 4, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Jan 22, 2026HouseCommitteePending Committee Action in House of Origin
- Jan 22, 2026HouseIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Education Policy
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
alison.legislature.state.al.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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