HOUSE DEMOCRATS NEWS

Legislation aimed at increasing our schools’ ability to provide quality computer science courses while simultaneously creating a professional development opportunity for New Mexico teachers passed the House today with unanimous support. 

Sponsored by Rep. Debbie Sariñana (D-Albuquerque), House Bill 188 establishes a licensed endorsement in high school computer science education that would be available for all teachers to pursue. Establishing an endorsement for teachers in the subject matter raises the standard of instruction quality and signals to existing and aspiring educators with a computer science or STEM background that there is a clear and supported career pathway for them in our schools.

“Computer science is a subject that we need to prioritize in our public schools,” said Rep. Sariñana. “We know that it opens pathways to good-paying jobs in a range of current and developing industries. House Bill 188 raises the bar for our high school computer science instruction and will help facilitate a longer-term shift, drawing in more teachers with the computer science and STEM backgrounds we need by offering a CS license endorsement.” 

HB 188 passed with a unanimous 65-0 vote and will now move to the Senate. The bill directs the Public Education Department to work with experts in computer science education when developing this new endorsement pathway for teachers. 

Members of the public can track legislation on the New Mexico Legislature website, access committee meetings and House floor sessions via the Webcasts tab, or participate by Zoom to provide public comment on committee hearings. During the 2021 Legislative Session, the House of Representatives is focused on passing critical legislation while protecting the health and safety of the public, the staff, and the legislators.