Florida schools may classify coding as a foreign language

The Senate in Florida is due to consider a bill that would mandate public colleges and universities to allow students' coursework in computer science to count as foreign language credits and coming into effect during the 2018-2019 school year if passed into law. This follows the passing of a proposal requiring all public schools to offer virtual or in-person computer science classes.

SPEAKING PYTHON: A Florida proposal requiring public high schools to offer virtual or in-person computer science classes—and classifying those courses as foreign language—has passed in the Florida House of Representatives. The Senate will consider the bill in the near future. It would mandate that public colleges and universities allow students' coursework in computer science to count as foreign language credits and go into effect during the 2018-2019 school year if passed into law.

The bill's main proponent is former Yahoo executive and current state Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, a number of high-profile Florida organizations support the bill. According to the Tampa Bay Times, The Florida PTA, the Miami-Dade County Council of PTA/PTSA and Charter Schools USA have all expressed their approval.