After the House and Senate passed House Bill 8, signed by Governor Roy Cooper on September 29, all North Carolina students will need to take a computer science course to graduate, starting with freshman in the 2026-2027 school year.
Schools may opt to institute the graduation requirement during the 2024-2025 school year. As computer- and math-focused jobs are expected to be the fastest growing occupations in the state, the bill ensures that students have the education they need to pursue a career in some of the fastest growing industries in the state.
Computer science teacher Garrison Reid believes that the requirement for computer science is significant for students to thrive in today’s society.
“I think that broader society in workplaces are increasingly expecting citizens to understand how data works,” Reid said. “Regardless, having students exposed to all technology, and feeling more confident with a variety of technologies, will help them be prepared in the workplace.”
North Carolina is the eighth state to require a computer science course in order to earn a diploma; students must currently take math, English, arts, science and social studies courses to graduate.
North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt explained that the new computer-science requirement will ensure students have the knowledge they need to succeed in the workplace.
“By adding computer science to our graduation requirements, we are ensuring that students gain firsthand experience in this ever-growing discipline so that they can be better prepared to pursue the post-secondary plan of their choice,” Truitt said.
Sophomore Silas Munday said that taking AP Computer Science has stimulated his interest in a career in math or science.
“Taking computer science was very nerve-racking because it seemed very hard at first, but, once you take the course, it actually makes a lot of sense for people who want to pursue a career in math or science related fields,” Munday said.
To fulfill the computer science requirement, students may take classes in computing systems and applications, networking, data analytics, STEM, information processing, programming and algorithms, design thinking, artificial intelligence and robotics, cyber security and privacy.
Senior Simon Mermuys said that he wishes the new computer science requirement had come sooner.
“Throughout high school, I was always focused on meeting the graduation requirements, which didn’t allow me to even think about taking AP Computer Science until my senior year; it turned out I really enjoy it,” he said.
The bill will also introduce introductory-level computer science courses in middle-school curricula, allowing students to explore areas such as game design, robotics and data analytics.
