(5) the State Board of Education shall promulgate regulations to create certification pathways for computer science teachers and the Department of Education also shall develop criteria for postsecondary computer science teacher preparation programs; (6) provide information and materials which identify emerging career opportunities in computer science and related fields to parents, students, teachers, and guidance counselors; and (7) assist districts in developing partnerships with business, industry, higher education, and communities to provide afterschool and extracurricular activities that engage students in computer science. (E) Recognizing that successful implementation of computer science education requires effective instruction, the Department of Education shall develop guidelines for use by school districts and schools outlining the educational and degree requirements for appropriate computer science teachers. The Commission on Higher Education shall determine what, if any, financial incentives are needed by institutions of higher education to design programs to prepare and credential computer science teachers. (F)(1) To improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in the State, the Office of the Governor, beginning in fiscal year 20182019, shall establish criteria and a process for designating a STEM community or STEM region. Consistent with federal law, STEM includes computer science. (2) The criteria for designation as a STEM community or STEM region must include a requirement that educators, administrators, business leaders, students, parents, governmental officials, and business and industry groups within a community or region work to: (a) create awareness; (b) promote partnerships with education and industry; (c) develop and execute action plans for improving STEM education and training; (d) identify and acquire the needed resources to improve STEM education and training; and (e) identify and accumulate STEM data within the community or region including, but not limited to: (i) kindergarten through twelfth grade academic achievement; (ii) the number of STEMrelated degree holders in the local workforce; (iii) the number of STEMrelated degrees conferred; and
(5) the State Board of Education shall promulgate regulations to create certification pathways for computer science teachers and the Department of Education also shall develop criteria for postsecondary computer science teacher preparation programs; (6) provide information and materials which identify emerging career opportunities in computer science and related fields to parents, students, teachers, and guidance counselors; and (7) assist districts in developing partnerships with business, industry, higher education, and communities to provide afterschool and extracurricular activities that engage students in computer science. (E) Recognizing that successful implementation of computer science education requires effective instruction, the Department of Education shall develop guidelines for use by school districts and schools outlining the educational and degree requirements for appropriate computer science teachers. The Commission on Higher Education shall determine what, if any, financial incentives are needed by institutions of higher education to design programs to prepare and credential computer science teachers. (F)(1) To improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in the State, the Office of the Governor, beginning in fiscal year 20182019, shall establish criteria and a process for designating a STEM community or STEM region. Consistent with federal law, STEM includes computer science. (2) The criteria for designation as a STEM community or STEM region must include a requirement that educators, administrators, business leaders, students, parents, governmental officials, and business and industry groups within a community or region work to: (a) create awareness; (b) promote partnerships with education and industry; (c) develop and execute action plans for improving STEM education and training; (d) identify and acquire the needed resources to improve STEM education and training; and (e) identify and accumulate STEM data within the community or region including, but not limited to: (i) kindergarten through twelfth grade academic achievement; (ii) the number of STEMrelated degree holders in the local workforce; (iii) the number of STEMrelated degrees conferred; and