SB 326

As Passed by the Senate
136th General Assembly
   Regular Session  Sub. S. B. No. 326
       2025-2026
  Senators Cirino, Ingram
Cosponsors: Senators Koehler, Smith, Weinstein, Antonio, Blackshear, Brenner,
  Chavez, Craig, Gavarone, Hicks-Hudson, Lang, Reineke, Reynolds, Timken
  To amend sections 3313.603, 3314.03, 3322.20,  1
  3326.15, and 3328.22 and to enact sections  2
  3313.6034 and 3313.6035 of the Revised Code to  3
  require school districts to offer, and students  4
  to complete, at least one high school computer  5
  science course.  6
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
     Section 1. That sections 3313.603, 3314.03, 3322.20,  7
3326.15, and 3328.22 be amended and sections 3313.6034 and  8
3313.6035 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:  9
     Sec. 3313.603. (A) As used in this section:  10
     (1) "One unit" means a minimum of one hundred twenty hours  11
of course instruction, except that for a laboratory course, "one  12
unit" means a minimum of one hundred fifty hours of course  13
instruction.  14
     (2) "One-half unit" means a minimum of sixty hours of  15
course instruction, except that for physical education courses,  16
"one-half unit" means a minimum of one hundred twenty hours of  17
course instruction.  18
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       (B) Beginning September 15, 2001, except as required in  19
division (C) of this section and division (C) of section  20
3313.614 of the Revised Code, the requirements for graduation  21
from every high school shall include twenty units earned in  22
grades nine through twelve and shall be distributed as follows:  23
       (1) English language arts, four units;  24
       (2) Health, one-half unit;  25
       (3) Mathematics, three units;  26
       (4) Physical education, one-half unit;  27
       (5) Science, two units until September 15, 2003, and three  28
units thereafter, which at all times shall include both of the  29
following:  30
       (a) Biological sciences, one unit;  31
       (b) Physical sciences, one unit.  32
       (6) History and government, one unit, which shall comply  33
with division (M) of this section and shall include both of the  34
following:  35
       (a) American history, one-half unit;  36
       (b) American government, one-half unit.  37
       (7) Social studies, two units.  38
       Beginning with students who enter ninth grade for the  39
first time on or after July 1, 2017, the two units of  40
instruction prescribed by division (B)(7) of this section shall  41
include at least one-half unit of instruction in the study of  42
world history and civilizations.  43
       (8) Elective units, seven units until September 15, 2003,  44
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and six units thereafter.  45
       Each student's electives shall include at least one unit,  46
or two half units, chosen from among the areas of  47
business/technology, fine arts, and/or foreign language.  48
       (C) Beginning with students who enter ninth grade for the  49
first time on or after July 1, 2010, except as provided in  50
divisions (D) to (F) of this section, the requirements for  51
graduation from every public and chartered nonpublic high school  52
shall include twenty units that are designed to prepare students  53
for the workforce and college. The units shall be distributed as  54
follows:  55
       (1) English language arts, four units;  56
       (2) Health, one-half unit, which shall include instruction  57
in nutrition and the benefits of nutritious foods and physical  58
activity for overall health;  59
       (3) Mathematics, four units, which shall include one unit  60
of algebra II or the equivalent of algebra II, or one unit of  61
advanced computer science as described in the standards adopted  62
pursuant to division (A)(4) of section 3301.079 of the Revised  63
Code. However, students who enter ninth grade for the first time  64
on or after July 1, 2015, and who are pursuing a career-  65
technical instructional track shall not be required to take  66
algebra II or advanced computer science, and instead may  67
complete a career-based pathway mathematics course approved by  68
the department of education and workforce as an alternative.  69
       For students who choose to take advanced computer science  70
in lieu of algebra II under division (C)(3) of this section, the  71
school shall communicate to those students that some  72
institutions of higher education may require algebra II for the  73
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purpose of college admission. Also, the parent, guardian, or  74
legal custodian of each student who chooses to take advanced  75
computer science in lieu of algebra II shall sign and submit to  76
the school a document containing a statement acknowledging that  77
not taking algebra II may have an adverse effect on college  78
admission decisions.  79
       A student may fulfill one unit of mathematics under  80
division (C)(3) of this section by completing one-half unit of  81
financial literacy instruction to satisfy the requirement  82
prescribed under division (C)(9) of this section and one-half  83
unit of a mathematics course. The one-half unit course in  84
mathematics shall not be in algebra II, or its equivalent, or a  85
course for which the department requires an end-of-course  86
examination under section 3301.0712 of the Revised Code.  87
       Students who choose to take one unit of advanced computer  88
science in lieu of algebra II, as described in division (C)(3)  89
of this section, shall not be permitted to complete one-half  90
unit of financial literacy instruction to satisfy the  91
mathematics unit requirements of that division. Instead, those  92
students shall be required to complete the one-half unit of  93
financial literacy instruction under division (C)(8) of this  94
section.  95
       (4) Physical education, one-half unit;  96
       (5) Science, three units with inquiry-based laboratory  97
experience that engages students in asking valid scientific  98
questions and gathering and analyzing information, which shall  99
include the following, or their equivalent:  100
       (a) Physical sciences, one unit;  101
       (b) Life sciences, one unit;  102
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       (c) Advanced study in one or more of the following  103
sciences, one unit:  104
       (i) Chemistry, physics, or other physical science;  105
       (ii) Advanced biology or other life science;  106
       (iii) Astronomy, physical geology, or other earth or space  107
science;  108
       (iv) Computer science.  109
       No student shall substitute a computer science course for  110
a life sciences or biology course under division (C)(5) of this  111
section.  112
       (6) History and government, one unit, which shall comply  113
with division (M) of this section and shall include both of the  114
following:  115
       (a) American history, one-half unit;  116
       (b) American government, one-half unit.  117
       (7) Social studies, two units.  118
       Beginning with students who enter ninth grade for the  119
first time on or after July 1, 2017, the two units of  120
instruction prescribed by division (C)(7) of this section shall  121
include at least one-half unit of instruction in the study of  122
world history and civilizations.  123
       (8) Five units consisting of one or any combination of  124
foreign language, fine arts, business, career-technical  125
education, family and consumer sciences, technology which may  126
include computer science, agricultural education, a junior  127
reserve officer training corps (JROTC) program approved by the  128
congress of the United States under title 10 of the United  129
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States Code, or English language arts, mathematics, science, or  130
social studies courses not otherwise required under division (C)  131
of this section.  132
       One-half unit of instruction under division (C)(8) of this  133
section may be instruction in financial literacy to satisfy the  134
requirement under division (C)(9) of this section.  135
       (9)(a) Except as provided in division (C)(9)(b) of this  136
section, for students who enter ninth grade for the first time  137
on or after July 1, 2022, financial literacy, one-half unit.  138
Each student shall elect to complete the one-half unit of  139
instruction in financial literacy either in lieu of one-half  140
unit of instruction in mathematics under division (C)(3) of this  141
section or an elective under division (C)(8) of this section. A  142
student may fulfill the financial literacy instruction  143
requirement under division (C)(9) of this section through the  144
successful completion of an advanced placement course in  145
microeconomics or macroeconomics.  146
       (b) A student attending a nonpublic school accredited  147
through the independent schools association of the central  148
states or any other chartered nonpublic school shall not be  149
required to complete the one-half unit of financial literacy  150
instruction prescribed in division (C)(9)(a) of this section,  151
unless that student is attending the school under a state  152
scholarship program as defined in section 3301.0711 of the  153
Revised Code.  154
       The study and instruction of financial literacy required  155
under division (C)(9) of this section shall align with the  156
academic content standards for financial literacy and  157
entrepreneurship adopted under division (A)(2) of section  158
3301.079 of the Revised Code. The instruction provided under an  159
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advanced placement course in microeconomics or macroeconomics  160
shall be considered to be aligned with those academic content  161
standards. In developing the curriculum for the study and  162
instruction of financial literacy, schools may use available  163
public-private partnerships and resources and materials that  164
exist in business, industry, and through the centers for  165
economics education at institutions of higher education.  166
       (10)(a) Except as provided in divisions (C)(10)(c) and (d)  167
of this section, beginning with students who enter ninth grade  168
for the first time on or after July 1, 2029, one-half unit in  169
computer science, taken in any of grades eight through twelve.  170
The one-half unit of computer science shall include instruction  171
in evolving areas of computer science, such as artificial  172
intelligence, including an understanding of what it is, how it  173
works, and its impact on society. For each student who completes  174
one-half unit of computer science, the half-unit shall count as  175
one-half of an elective unit under division (C)(8) of this  176
section. If a student elects to complete a full unit of  177
instruction in computer science, the unit shall count as one of  178
the following:  179
       (i) One unit of science under division (C)(5) of this  180
section. However, only a unit of advanced computer science may  181
be used in lieu of one unit of advanced science, that is not  182
biology or other life science, under division (C)(5)(c) of this  183
section.  184
       (ii) One elective unit under division (C)(8) of this  185
section;  186
       (iii) If the one unit of computer science is advanced  187
computer science, one unit of mathematics in lieu of algebra II,  188
math 3, or the equivalent under division (C)(3) of this section;  189
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       (iv) One unit of foreign language, as permitted in  190
division (E) of this section.  191
       The department shall develop and make publicly available  192
guidance for high schools to use regarding the use of computer  193
science courses in lieu of a unit of science under division (C)  194
(10)(a)(i) of this section or a unit of foreign language under  195
division (E) of this section.  196
       (b) Not later than July 1, 2027, the department shall  197
adopt a list of courses that may be used to satisfy this  198
requirement, using the recommendations in the report of the  199
state committee on computer science issued under section 3301.23  200
of the Revised Code as guidance, and including any college  201
credit plus or other course that meets the requirements  202
prescribed in division (B) of section 3313.6034 of the Revised  203
Code. The department shall update that list on a regular basis  204
to respond to educational and industry trends.  205
       The department shall make the list available on its  206
publicly accessible web site. The department shall include a  207
course on the list only if the course meets or exceeds the  208
standards and curriculum adopted under section 3301.079 of the  209
Revised Code. For each approved course, the department shall  210
include the course's name, description, and corresponding course  211
code on the list.  212
       (c)(i) A public or chartered nonpublic school may exempt a  213
student from the requirement in division (C)(10) of this section  214
if the student demonstrates competency in computer science and  215
artificial intelligence by completing seventy-five cumulative  216
hours of structured content in computer science and artificial  217
intelligence instruction offered by a provider approved under  218
the Ohio computer science promise program established under  219
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section 3322.20 of the Revised Code, and that instruction  220
includes at least twenty hours of programming content and the  221
remaining hours on at least two of the following topics:  222
       (I) Artificial intelligence;  223
       (II) Networks and the internet;  224
       (III) Data and analysis;  225
       (IV) Computing systems;  226
       (V) Impacts of computing.  227
       (ii) The department may exempt a student from the  228
requirement in division (C)(10) of this section if the student  229
demonstrates competency in computer science and artificial  230
intelligence by doing either of the following:  231
       (I) Receiving a score of three or higher on an advanced  232
placement or international baccalaureate examination in computer  233
science;  234
       (II) Completing seventy-five cumulative hours of  235
structured content in computer science and artificial  236
intelligence instruction as described in division (C)(10)(c)(i)  237
of this section that is not offered by a provider approved under  238
the Ohio computer science promise program established under  239
section 3322.20 of the Revised Code.  240
       (d) Division (C)(10) of this section does not apply to a  241
student who was enrolled in high school in a state without a  242
computer science requirement that transfers to a high school in  243
this state during the student's senior year.  244
       Ohioans must be prepared to apply increased knowledge and  245
skills in the workplace and to adapt their knowledge and skills  246
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 10
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quickly to meet the rapidly changing conditions of the twenty-  247
first century. National studies indicate that all high school  248
graduates need the same academic foundation, regardless of the  249
opportunities they pursue after graduation. The goal of Ohio's  250
system of elementary and secondary education is to prepare all  251
students for and seamlessly connect all students to success in  252
life beyond high school graduation, regardless of whether the  253
next step is entering the workforce, beginning an  254
apprenticeship, engaging in post-secondary training, serving in  255
the military, or pursuing a college degree.  256
       The requirements for graduation prescribed in division (C)  257
of this section are the standard expectation for all students  258
entering ninth grade for the first time at a public or chartered  259
nonpublic high school on or after July 1, 2010. A student may  260
satisfy this expectation through a variety of methods,  261
including, but not limited to, integrated, applied, career-  262
technical, and traditional coursework.  263
       Stronger coordination between high schools and  264
institutions of higher education is necessary to prepare  265
students for more challenging academic endeavors and to lessen  266
the need for academic remediation in college, thereby reducing  267
the costs of higher education for Ohio's students, families, and  268
the state. The department and the chancellor of higher education  269
shall develop policies to ensure that only in rare instances  270
will students who complete the requirements for graduation  271
prescribed in division (C) of this section require academic  272
remediation after high school.  273
       School districts, community schools, and chartered  274
nonpublic schools shall integrate technology into learning  275
experiences across the curriculum in order to maximize  276
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efficiency, enhance learning, and prepare students for success  277
in the technology-driven twenty-first century. Districts and  278
schools shall use distance and web-based course delivery as a  279
method of providing or augmenting all instruction required under  280
this division, including laboratory experience in science.  281
Districts and schools shall utilize technology access and  282
electronic learning opportunities provided by the broadcast  283
educational media commission, chancellor, the Ohio learning  284
network, education technology centers, public television  285
stations, and other public and private providers.  286
       (D) Except as provided in division (E) of this section, a  287
student who enters ninth grade on or after July 1, 2010, and  288
before July 1, 2016, may qualify for graduation from a public or  289
chartered nonpublic high school even though the student has not  290
completed the requirements for graduation prescribed in division  291
(C) of this section if all of the following conditions are  292
satisfied:  293
       (1) During the student's third year of attending high  294
school, as determined by the school, the student and the  295
student's parent, guardian, or custodian sign and file with the  296
school a written statement asserting the parent's, guardian's,  297
or custodian's consent to the student's graduating without  298
completing the requirements for graduation prescribed in  299
division (C) of this section and acknowledging that one  300
consequence of not completing those requirements is  301
ineligibility to enroll in most state universities in Ohio  302
without further coursework.  303
       (2) The student and parent, guardian, or custodian fulfill  304
any procedural requirements the school stipulates to ensure the  305
student's and parent's, guardian's, or custodian's informed  306
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 12
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consent and to facilitate orderly filing of statements under  307
division (D)(1) of this section. Annually, each district or  308
school shall notify the department of the number of students who  309
choose to qualify for graduation under division (D) of this  310
section and the number of students who complete the student's  311
success plan and graduate from high school.  312
       (3) The student and the student's parent, guardian, or  313
custodian and a representative of the student's high school  314
jointly develop a student success plan for the student in the  315
manner described in division (C)(1) of section 3313.6020 of the  316
Revised Code that specifies the student matriculating to a two-  317
year degree program, acquiring a business and industry-  318
recognized credential, or entering an apprenticeship.  319
       (4) The student's high school provides counseling and  320
support for the student related to the plan developed under  321
division (D)(3) of this section during the remainder of the  322
student's high school experience.  323
       (5)(a) Except as provided in division (D)(5)(b) of this  324
section, the student successfully completes, at a minimum, the  325
curriculum prescribed in division (B) of this section.  326
       (b) Beginning with students who enter ninth grade for the  327
first time on or after July 1, 2014, a student shall be required  328
to complete successfully, at the minimum, the curriculum  329
prescribed in division (B) of this section, except as follows:  330
       (i) Mathematics, four units, one unit which shall be one  331
of the following:  332
       (I) Probability and statistics;  333
       (II) Computer science;  334
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As Passed by the Senate
       (III) Applied mathematics or quantitative reasoning;  335
       (IV) Any other course approved by the department using  336
standards established by the superintendent not later than  337
October 1, 2014.  338
       (ii) Elective units, five units;  339
       (iii) Science, three units as prescribed by division (B)  340
of this section which shall include inquiry-based laboratory  341
experience that engages students in asking valid scientific  342
questions and gathering and analyzing information.  343
       (E) Each school district and chartered nonpublic school  344
retains the authority to require an even more challenging  345
minimum curriculum for high school graduation than specified in  346
division (B) or (C) of this section. A school district board of  347
education, through the adoption of a resolution, or the  348
governing authority of a chartered nonpublic school may  349
stipulate any of the following:  350
       (1) A minimum high school curriculum that requires more  351
than twenty units of academic credit to graduate;  352
       (2) An exception to the district's or school's minimum  353
high school curriculum that is comparable to the exception  354
provided in division (D) of this section but with additional  355
requirements, which may include a requirement that the student  356
successfully complete more than the minimum curriculum  357
prescribed in division (B) of this section;  358
       (3) That no exception comparable to that provided in  359
division (D) of this section is available.  360
       If a school district or chartered nonpublic school  361
requires a foreign language as an additional graduation  362
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 14
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requirement under division (E) of this section, a student may  363
apply one unit of instruction in computer coding to satisfy one  364
unit of foreign language. If a student applies more than one  365
computer coding course to satisfy the foreign language  366
requirement, the courses shall be sequential and progressively  367
more difficult.  368
       (F) A student enrolled in a dropout prevention and  369
recovery program, which program has received a waiver from the  370
department, may qualify for graduation from high school by  371
successfully completing a competency-based instructional program  372
administered by the dropout prevention and recovery program in  373
lieu of completing the requirements for graduation prescribed in  374
division (C) of this section. The department shall grant a  375
waiver to a dropout prevention and recovery program, within  376
sixty days after the program applies for the waiver, if the  377
program meets all of the following conditions:  378
       (1) The program serves only students not younger than  379
sixteen years of age and not older than twenty-one years of age.  380
       (2) The program enrolls students who, at the time of their  381
initial enrollment, either, or both, are at least one grade  382
level behind their cohort age groups or experience crises that  383
significantly interfere with their academic progress such that  384
they are prevented from continuing their traditional programs.  385
       (3) The program requires students to attain at least the  386
applicable score designated for each of the assessments  387
prescribed under division (B)(1) of section 3301.0710 of the  388
Revised Code or, to the extent prescribed by rule of the  389
department under division (D)(5) of section 3301.0712 of the  390
Revised Code, division (B)(2) of that section.  391
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       (4) The program develops a student success plan for the  392
student in the manner described in division (C)(1) of section  393
3313.6020 of the Revised Code that specifies the student's  394
matriculating to a two-year degree program, acquiring a business  395
and industry-recognized credential, or entering an  396
apprenticeship.  397
       (5) The program provides counseling and support for the  398
student related to the plan developed under division (F)(4) of  399
this section during the remainder of the student's high school  400
experience.  401
       (6) The program requires the student and the student's  402
parent, guardian, or custodian to sign and file, in accordance  403
with procedural requirements stipulated by the program, a  404
written statement asserting the parent's, guardian's, or  405
custodian's consent to the student's graduating without  406
completing the requirements for graduation prescribed in  407
division (C) of this section and acknowledging that one  408
consequence of not completing those requirements is  409
ineligibility to enroll in most state universities in Ohio  410
without further coursework.  411
       (7) Prior to receiving the waiver, the program has  412
submitted to the department an instructional plan that  413
demonstrates how the academic content standards adopted by the  414
department under section 3301.079 of the Revised Code will be  415
taught and assessed.  416
       (8) Prior to receiving the waiver, the program has  417
submitted to the department a policy on career advising that  418
satisfies the requirements of section 3313.6020 of the Revised  419
Code, with an emphasis on how every student will receive career  420
advising.  421
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       (9) Prior to receiving the waiver, the program has  422
submitted to the department a written agreement outlining the  423
future cooperation between the program and any combination of  424
local job training, postsecondary education, nonprofit, and  425
health and social service organizations to provide services for  426
students in the program and their families.  427
       Divisions (F)(8) and (9) of this section apply only to  428
waivers granted on or after July 1, 2015.  429
       If the department does not act either to grant the waiver  430
or to reject the program application for the waiver within sixty  431
days as required under this section, the waiver shall be  432
considered to be granted.  433
       (G) Every high school may permit students below the ninth  434
grade to take advanced work. If a high school so permits, it  435
shall award high school credit for successful completion of the  436
advanced work and shall count such advanced work toward the  437
graduation requirements of division (B) or (C) of this section  438
if the advanced work was both:  439
       (1) Taught by a person who possesses a license or  440
certificate issued under section 3301.071, 3319.22, or 3319.222  441
of the Revised Code that is valid for teaching high school;  442
       (2) Designated by the board of education of the city,  443
local, or exempted village school district, the board of the  444
cooperative education school district, or the governing  445
authority of the chartered nonpublic school as meeting the high  446
school curriculum requirements.  447
       Each high school shall record on the student's high school  448
transcript all high school credit awarded under division (G) of  449
this section. In addition, if the student completed a seventh-  450
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or eighth-grade fine arts course described in division (K) of  451
this section and the course qualified for high school credit  452
under that division, the high school shall record that course on  453
the student's high school transcript.  454
       (H) The department shall make its individual academic  455
career plan available through its Ohio career information system  456
web site for districts and schools to use as a tool for  457
communicating with and providing guidance to students and  458
families in selecting high school courses.  459
       (I) A school district or chartered nonpublic school may  460
integrate academic content in a subject area for which the  461
department has adopted standards under section 3301.079 of the  462
Revised Code into a course in a different subject area,  463
including a career-technical education course, in accordance  464
with guidance for integrated coursework developed by the  465
department. Upon successful completion of an integrated course,  466
a student may receive credit for both subject areas that were  467
integrated into the course. Units earned for subject area  468
content delivered through integrated academic and career-  469
technical instruction are eligible to meet the graduation  470
requirements of division (B) or (C) of this section.  471
       For purposes of meeting graduation requirements, if an  472
end-of-course examination has been prescribed under section  473
3301.0712 of the Revised Code for the subject area delivered  474
through integrated instruction, the school district or school  475
may administer the related subject area examinations upon the  476
student's completion of the integrated course.  477
       Nothing in division (I) of this section shall be construed  478
to excuse any school district, chartered nonpublic school, or  479
student from any requirement in the Revised Code related to  480
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 18
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curriculum, assessments, or the awarding of a high school  481
diploma.  482
       (J)(1) The department, in consultation with the  483
chancellor, shall adopt a statewide plan implementing methods  484
for students to earn units of high school credit based on a  485
demonstration of subject area competency, instead of or in  486
combination with completing hours of classroom instruction. The  487
plan shall include a standard method for recording demonstrated  488
proficiency on high school transcripts. Each school district and  489
community school shall comply with the department's plan adopted  490
under this division and award units of high school credit in  491
accordance with the plan. The department may adopt existing  492
methods for earning high school credit based on a demonstration  493
of subject area competency as necessary prior to the 2009-2010  494
school year.  495
       (2) The department shall update the statewide plan adopted  496
pursuant to division (J)(1) of this section to also include  497
methods for students enrolled in seventh and eighth grade to  498
meet curriculum requirements based on a demonstration of subject  499
area competency, instead of or in combination with completing  500
hours of classroom instruction. Beginning with the 2017-2018  501
school year, each school district and community school also  502
shall comply with the updated plan adopted pursuant to this  503
division and permit students enrolled in seventh and eighth  504
grade to meet curriculum requirements based on subject area  505
competency in accordance with the plan.  506
       (3) The department shall develop a framework for school  507
districts and community schools to use in granting units of high  508
school credit to students who demonstrate subject area  509
competency through work-based learning experiences, internships,  510
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 19
As Passed by the Senate
or cooperative education. Beginning with the 2018-2019 school  511
year, each district and community school shall comply with the  512
framework. Each district and community school also shall review  513
any policy it has adopted regarding the demonstration of subject  514
area competency to identify ways to incorporate work-based  515
learning experiences, internships, and cooperative education  516
into the policy in order to increase student engagement and  517
opportunities to earn units of high school credit.  518
       (K) This division does not apply to students who qualify  519
for graduation from high school under division (D) or (F) of  520
this section, or to students pursuing a career-technical  521
instructional track as determined by the school district board  522
of education or the chartered nonpublic school's governing  523
authority. Nevertheless, the general assembly encourages such  524
students to consider enrolling in a fine arts course as an  525
elective.  526
       Beginning with students who enter ninth grade for the  527
first time on or after July 1, 2010, each student enrolled in a  528
public or chartered nonpublic high school shall complete two  529
semesters or the equivalent of fine arts to graduate from high  530
school. The coursework may be completed in any of grades seven  531
to twelve. Each student who completes a fine arts course in  532
grade seven or eight may elect to count that course toward the  533
five units of electives required for graduation under division  534
(C)(8) of this section, if the course satisfied the requirements  535
of division (G) of this section. In that case, the high school  536
shall award the student high school credit for the course and  537
count the course toward the five units required under division  538
(C)(8) of this section. If the course in grade seven or eight  539
did not satisfy the requirements of division (G) of this  540
section, the high school shall not award the student high school  541
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 20
As Passed by the Senate
credit for the course but shall count the course toward the two  542
semesters or the equivalent of fine arts required by this  543
division.  544
       (L) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this  545
section, the board of education of each school district and the  546
governing authority of each chartered nonpublic school may adopt  547
a policy to excuse from the high school physical education  548
requirement each student who, during high school, has  549
participated in interscholastic athletics, marching band, show  550
choir, or cheerleading for at least two full seasons or in the  551
junior reserve officer training corps for at least two full  552
school years. If the board or authority adopts such a policy,  553
the board or authority shall not require the student to complete  554
any physical education course as a condition to graduate.  555
However, the student shall be required to complete one-half  556
unit, consisting of at least sixty hours of instruction, in  557
another course of study. In the case of a student who has  558
participated in the junior reserve officer training corps for at  559
least two full school years, credit received for that  560
participation may be used to satisfy the requirement to complete  561
one-half unit in another course of study.  562
       (M) It is important that high school students learn and  563
understand United States history and the governments of both the  564
United States and the state of Ohio. Therefore, beginning with  565
students who enter ninth grade for the first time on or after  566
July 1, 2012, the study of American history and American  567
government required by divisions (B)(6) and (C)(6) of this  568
section shall include the study of all of the following  569
documents:  570
       (1) The Declaration of Independence;  571
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 21
As Passed by the Senate
       (2) The Northwest Ordinance;  572
       (3) The Constitution of the United States with emphasis on  573
the Bill of Rights;  574
       (4) The Ohio Constitution.  575
       The study of each of the documents prescribed in divisions  576
(M)(1) to (4) of this section shall include study of that  577
document in its original context.  578
       The study of American history and government required by  579
divisions (B)(6) and (C)(6) of this section shall include the  580
historical evidence of the role of documents such as the  581
Federalist Papers and the Anti-Federalist Papers to firmly  582
establish the historical background leading to the establishment  583
of the provisions of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.  584
       (N) A student may apply one unit of instruction in  585
computer science to satisfy one unit of mathematics or one unit  586
of science under division (C) of this section as the student  587
chooses, regardless of the field of certification of the teacher  588
who teaches the course, so long as that teacher meets the  589
licensure requirements prescribed by section 3319.236 of the  590
Revised Code and, prior to teaching the course, completes a  591
professional development program determined to be appropriate by  592
the district board.  593
       If a student applies more than one computer science course  594
to satisfy curriculum requirements under that division, the  595
courses shall be sequential and progressively more difficult or  596
cover different subject areas within computer science.  597
       (O) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this  598
section, the board of education of each school district and the  599
governing authority of each chartered nonpublic school may adopt  600
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 22
As Passed by the Senate
a policy to excuse from the financial literacy instruction  601
requirement under division (C)(9) of this section each student  602
who, during high school, participates in a financial literacy  603
program offered through a student branch, as defined in section  604
1733.04 of the Revised Code, or by a bank, as defined in section  605
1101.01 of the Revised Code. The policy shall require the  606
financial literacy program to meet or exceed the academic  607
content standards and model curriculum for financial literacy  608
and entrepreneurship instruction adopted under section 3301.079  609
of the Revised Code. The policy shall require a student to  610
participate in the program for the equivalent of at least one-  611
half unit of instruction to qualify for an exemption under this  612
division.  613
       Not later than July 1, 2026, the department shall develop  614
and post on its web site a model policy and guidelines for  615
districts and schools to use in developing a policy under this  616
division.  617
       Sec. 3313.6034. (A) As used in this section:  618
       (1) "Computer science" has the same meaning as in section  619
3301.012 of the Revised Code. "Computer science" does not  620
include computer literacy, keyboarding, or word processing  621
courses.  622
       (2) "Online high school" has the same meaning as in  623
section 3302.0310 of the Revised Code.  624
       (3) "School governing authority" means any of the  625
following:  626
       (a) The governing authority of a community school  627
established under Chapter 3314. of the Revised Code;  628
       (b) The governing body of a STEM school established under  629
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 23
As Passed by the Senate
Chapter 3326. of the Revised Code;  630
        (c) The board of trustees of a college-preparatory  631
boarding school established under Chapter 3328. of the Revised  632
Code.  633
        (B) Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, and each  634
school year thereafter, each district board and school governing  635
authority shall offer at least one-half unit of computer science  636
in each school building that enrolls students in any of grades  637
nine through twelve in accordance with this section.  638
        (C) The course shall be listed as an option in the  639
school's course catalog. Districts and schools offering computer  640
science courses for the first time under this section shall  641
proactively notify parents of the new course offering. A  642
district or school shall offer a course in an in-person  643
traditional classroom setting, unless the school is an online  644
high school. If a district or school makes every effort to offer  645
the course in person, but is unable to obtain the teacher  646
capacity or resources to do so effectively, the district or  647
school shall submit an alternate plan for approval by the  648
department of education and workforce to offer a virtual or  649
distance course option through the action plan prescribed by  650
division (D) of this section.  651
        (D) Any district or school that is not an online high  652
school and that does not offer an in-person computer science  653
course by the 2028-2029 school year shall submit an action plan  654
to the department explaining why it was not possible to offer an  655
in-person course and detailing how the district or school plans  656
to meet the requirements prescribed by this section. The action  657
plan may include offering a virtual course either through the  658
district or school, or through a regional partnership such as  659
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 24
As Passed by the Senate
through an educational service center. If a district or school  660
submits a plan to offer only a virtual course, the plan shall  661
describe why it was not feasible to offer the course in person  662
and include a timeline in which the district or school will  663
begin offering the course in person. The plan shall address how  664
the school will adjust planning or resources to successfully  665
comply with the requirement under division (B) of this section.  666
       Each district or school required to submit a plan under  667
this section shall submit the plan to the department not later  668
than June 30, 2028, and the thirtieth day of June of each year  669
thereafter that the plan is necessary. The department shall  670
review the plan in a manner prescribed by the department, and  671
approve the plan or request additional changes.  672
       (E) A computer science course offered by a school district  673
or school shall satisfy both of the following:  674
       (1) Be of high quality, as that term is defined by the  675
department of education and workforce;  676
       (2) Meet or exceed the standards and curriculum  677
requirements established by the department in section 3301.079  678
of the Revised Code.  679
       (F) Beginning July 1, 2028, and each school year  680
thereafter, the department shall publish an annual report on  681
computer science education in the state for the prior academic  682
year, containing, at a minimum, the data compiled under division  683
(G) of this section, disaggregated by school and aggregated at  684
the state level, and reporting the number of online and in  685
person computer science course offerings and any identified  686
correlation between course format and student participation in  687
courses.  688
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 25
As Passed by the Senate
       (G) The department's report shall include the following:  689
       (1) The names and course codes of computer science courses  690
offered in each school, including course descriptions, whether  691
the course is a half-unit or one unit course, and whether the  692
course is offered in person or virtually;  693
       (2) The number and percentage of students who enrolled in  694
each computer science course, disaggregated by:  695
       (a) Gender;  696
       (b) Race and ethnicity;  697
       (c) Special education status, including students protected  698
under the "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act," 20  699
U.S.C. 1400 et seq., or section 504 of the "Rehabilitation Act  700
of 1973," 29 U.S.C. 794;  701
       (d) English learner status;  702
       (e) Eligibility for free and reduced-price meals;  703
       (f) Grade level, except where a category contains fewer  704
than ten students or an amount that would allow the amount of  705
another category that is ten or fewer to be deduced, in which  706
case the number shall be replaced with a symbol.  707
       (3) The number of computer science course instructors at  708
each school, disaggregated by:  709
       (a) Certification, or license, if applicable;  710
       (b) Gender;  711
       (c) Race and ethnicity;  712
       (d) Highest academic degree completed, if available.  713
       (4) Whether each course is offered in an in-person  714
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 26
As Passed by the Senate
traditional classroom setting or by a virtual or distance course  715
option.  716
       The department shall post on a publicly accessible  717
dashboard not later than the thirtieth day of June of each  718
school year the data received under division (G) of this  719
section, disaggregated by school and aggregated at the state  720
level.  721
       (H) A student enrolled in a school district or school may  722
participate in the computer science promise program established  723
under section 3322.20 of the Revised Code if that student wishes  724
to take additional computer science courses beyond those offered  725
through the student's resident district or school under this  726
section.  727
       (I) Neither the department, a district, nor school shall  728
require a student to complete a prerequisite course in order to  729
enroll in a course prescribed by division (B) of this section.  730
       Sec. 3313.6035. (A) As used in this section:  731
       (1) "Community college" means a community college  732
established under Chapter 3354. of the Revised Code, a technical  733
college established under Chapter 3357. of the Revised Code, or  734
a state community college established under Chapter 3358. of the  735
Revised Code.  736
       (2) "Public school" means a school district, a community  737
school established under Chapter 3314. of the Revised Code, a  738
STEM school established under Chapter 3326. of the Revised Code,  739
or a college-preparatory boarding school established under  740
Chapter 3328. of the Revised Code.  741
       (B) A public school may enter into a partnership with a  742
community college to establish a program under which the college  743
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 27
As Passed by the Senate
offers computer science instruction that provides the school's  744
students with at least one semester of in-person content. The  745
Ohio code-scholar pilot program established under section  746
3313.905 of the Revised Code shall be considered a program  747
established under this section.  748
       (C)(1) Instruction offered under a program established  749
under this section may satisfy the public school's requirement  750
to offer a course under division (B) of section 3313.6034 of the  751
Revised Code, provided the instruction is provided onsite at the  752
public school, is available to all students, and meets or  753
exceeds state computer science standards established under  754
section 3301.079 of the Revised Code.  755
       (2) The program may be used by a student of the school to  756
satisfy one-half unit of instruction under division (C)(10)(a)  757
of section 3313.603 of the Revised Code, provided the  758
instruction meets or exceeds state computer science standards  759
established under section 3301.079 of the Revised Code.  760
       For the program to be used as one-half unit of instruction  761
under division (C)(10)(a) of section 3313.603 of the Revised  762
Code, the public school annually shall certify to the department  763
of education and workforce that the instruction meets the  764
applicable requirements of this division.  765
       Sec. 3314.03. A copy of every contract entered into under  766
this section shall be filed with the director of education and  767
workforce. The department of education and workforce shall make  768
available on its web site a copy of every approved, executed  769
contract filed with the director under this section.  770
       (A) Each contract entered into between a sponsor and the  771
governing authority of a community school shall specify the  772
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 28
As Passed by the Senate
following:  773
        (1) That the school shall be established as either of the  774
following:  775
        (a) A nonprofit corporation established under Chapter  776
1702. of the Revised Code, if established prior to April 8,  777
2003;  778
        (b) A public benefit corporation established under Chapter  779
1702. of the Revised Code, if established after April 8, 2003.  780
        (2) The education program of the school, including the  781
school's mission and educational philosophy, the characteristics  782
of the students the school is expected to attract, the ages and  783
grades of students, and the focus of the curriculum;  784
        (3) The academic goals to be achieved and the method of  785
measurement that will be used to determine progress toward those  786
goals, which shall include the statewide achievement  787
assessments;  788
        (4) Performance standards, including but not limited to  789
all applicable report card measures set forth in section 3302.03  790
or 3314.017 of the Revised Code, by which the success of the  791
school will be evaluated by the sponsor;  792
        (5) The admission standards of section 3314.06 of the  793
Revised Code and, if applicable, section 3314.061 of the Revised  794
Code;  795
        (6)(a) Dismissal procedures;  796
        (b) A requirement that the governing authority adopt an  797
attendance policy that includes a procedure for automatically  798
withdrawing a student from the school if the student without a  799
legitimate excuse fails to participate in seventy-two  800
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 29
As Passed by the Senate
consecutive hours of the learning opportunities offered to the  801
student.  802
       (7) The ways by which the school will achieve racial and  803
ethnic balance reflective of the community it serves;  804
       (8) Requirements for financial audits by the auditor of  805
state. The contract shall require financial records of the  806
school to be maintained in the same manner as are financial  807
records of school districts, pursuant to rules of the auditor of  808
state. Audits shall be conducted in accordance with section  809
117.10 of the Revised Code.  810
       (9) An addendum to the contract outlining the facilities  811
to be used that contains at least the following information:  812
       (a) A detailed description of each facility used for  813
instructional purposes;  814
       (b) The annual costs associated with leasing each facility  815
that are paid by or on behalf of the school;  816
       (c) The annual mortgage principal and interest payments  817
that are paid by the school;  818
       (d) The name of the lender or landlord, identified as  819
such, and the lender's or landlord's relationship to the  820
operator, if any.  821
       (10) Qualifications of employees, including both of the  822
following:  823
       (a) A requirement that the school's classroom teachers be  824
licensed in accordance with sections 3319.22 to 3319.31 of the  825
Revised Code, except that a community school may engage  826
noncertificated persons to teach up to twelve hours or forty  827
hours per week pursuant to section 3319.301 of the Revised Code;  828
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 30
As Passed by the Senate
       (b) A prohibition against the school employing an  829
individual described in section 3314.104 of the Revised Code in  830
any position.  831
       (11) That the school will comply with the following  832
requirements:  833
       (a) The school will provide learning opportunities to a  834
minimum of twenty-five students for a minimum of nine hundred  835
twenty hours per school year.  836
       (b) The governing authority will purchase liability  837
insurance, or otherwise provide for the potential liability of  838
the school.  839
       (c) The school will be nonsectarian in its programs,  840
admission policies, employment practices, and all other  841
operations, and will not be operated by a sectarian school or  842
religious institution.  843
       (d) The school will comply with sections 9.90, 9.91,  844
109.65, 121.22, 149.43, 2151.357, 2151.421, 2313.19, 3301.0710,  845
3301.0711, 3301.0712, 3301.0715, 3301.0729, 3301.24, 3301.948,  846
3302.037, 3313.472, 3313.473, 3313.474, 3313.50, 3313.539,  847
3313.5310, 3313.5318, 3313.5319, 3313.608, 3313.609, 3313.6012,  848
3313.6013, 3313.6014, 3313.6020, 3313.6024, 3313.6026,  849
3313.6028, 3313.6029, 3313.6031, 3313.6034, 3313.6035, 3313.643,  850
3313.648, 3313.6411, 3313.6413, 3313.66, 3313.661, 3313.662,  851
3313.666, 3313.667, 3313.668, 3313.669, 3313.6610, 3313.67,  852
3313.671, 3313.672, 3313.673, 3313.69, 3313.71, 3313.716,  853
3313.718, 3313.719, 3313.7112, 3313.7117, 3313.721, 3313.753,  854
3313.80, 3313.814, 3313.816, 3313.817, 3313.818, 3313.819,  855
3313.8110, 3313.86, 3313.89, 3313.96, 3319.073, 3319.077,  856
3319.078, 3319.0812, 3319.238, 3319.318, 3319.321, 3319.324,  857
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 31
As Passed by the Senate
3319.39, 3319.391, 3319.393, 3319.41, 3319.46, 3319.90,  858
3319.614, 3320.01, 3320.02, 3320.03, 3320.04, 3321.01, 3321.041,  859
3321.13, 3321.14, 3321.141, 3321.17, 3321.18, 3321.19, 3322.20,  860
3322.24, 3323.251, 3327.10, 4111.17, 4113.52, 5502.262,  861
5502.703, and 5705.391 and Chapters 117., 1347., 2744., 3365.,  862
3742., 4112., 4123., 4141., and 4167. of the Revised Code as if  863
it were a school district and will comply with section 3301.0714  864
of the Revised Code in the manner specified in section 3314.17  865
of the Revised Code.  866
       (e) The school shall comply with Chapter 102. and section  867
2921.42 of the Revised Code.  868
       (f) The school will comply with sections 3313.61,  869
3313.611, 3313.614, 3313.617, 3313.618, and 3313.6114 of the  870
Revised Code, except that for students who enter ninth grade for  871
the first time before July 1, 2010, the requirement in sections  872
3313.61 and 3313.611 of the Revised Code that a person must  873
successfully complete the curriculum in any high school prior to  874
receiving a high school diploma may be met by completing the  875
curriculum adopted by the governing authority of the community  876
school rather than the curriculum specified in Title XXXIII of  877
the Revised Code or any rules of the department. Beginning with  878
students who enter ninth grade for the first time on or after  879
July 1, 2010, the requirement in sections 3313.61 and 3313.611  880
of the Revised Code that a person must successfully complete the  881
curriculum of a high school prior to receiving a high school  882
diploma shall be met by completing the requirements prescribed  883
in section 3313.6027 and division (C) of section 3313.603 of the  884
Revised Code, unless the person qualifies under division (D) or  885
(F) of that section. Each school shall comply with the plan for  886
awarding high school credit based on demonstration of subject  887
area competency, and beginning with the 2017-2018 school year,  888
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 32
As Passed by the Senate
with the updated plan that permits students enrolled in seventh  889
and eighth grade to meet curriculum requirements based on  890
subject area competency adopted by the department under  891
divisions (J)(1) and (2) of section 3313.603 of the Revised  892
Code. Beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, the school shall  893
comply with the framework for granting units of high school  894
credit to students who demonstrate subject area competency  895
through work-based learning experiences, internships, or  896
cooperative education developed by the department under division  897
(J)(3) of section 3313.603 of the Revised Code.  898
       (g) The school governing authority will submit within four  899
months after the end of each school year a report of its  900
activities and progress in meeting the goals and standards of  901
divisions (A)(3) and (4) of this section and its financial  902
status to the sponsor and the parents of all students enrolled  903
in the school.  904
       (h) The school, unless it is an internet- or computer-  905
based community school, will comply with section 3313.801 of the  906
Revised Code as if it were a school district.  907
       (i) If the school is the recipient of moneys from a grant  908
awarded under the federal race to the top program, Division (A),  909
Title XIV, Sections 14005 and 14006 of the "American Recovery  910
and Reinvestment Act of 2009," Pub. L. No. 111-5, 123 Stat. 115,  911
the school will pay teachers based upon performance in  912
accordance with section 3317.141 and will comply with section  913
3319.111 of the Revised Code as if it were a school district.  914
       (j) If the school operates a preschool program that is  915
licensed by the department under sections 3301.52 to 3301.59 of  916
the Revised Code, the school shall comply with sections 3301.50  917
to 3301.59 of the Revised Code and the minimum standards for  918
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 33
As Passed by the Senate
preschool programs prescribed in rules adopted by the department  919
of children and youth under section 3301.53 of the Revised Code.  920
       (k) The school will comply with sections 3313.6021 and  921
3313.6023 of the Revised Code as if it were a school district  922
unless it is either of the following:  923
       (i) An internet- or computer-based community school;  924
       (ii) A community school in which a majority of the  925
enrolled students are children with disabilities as described in  926
division (B)(2) of section 3314.35 of the Revised Code.  927
       (l) The school will comply with section 3321.191 of the  928
Revised Code, unless it is an internet- or computer-based  929
community school that is subject to section 3314.261 of the  930
Revised Code.  931
       (m) The school will comply with section 3313.7118 of the  932
Revised Code if it serves elementary school students.  933
       (12) Arrangements for providing health and other benefits  934
to employees;  935
       (13) The length of the contract, which shall begin at the  936
beginning of an academic year. No contract shall exceed five  937
years unless such contract has been renewed pursuant to division  938
(D) of this section.  939
       (14) The governing authority of the school, which shall be  940
responsible for carrying out the provisions of the contract;  941
       (15) A financial plan detailing an estimated school budget  942
for each year of the period of the contract and specifying the  943
total estimated per pupil expenditure amount for each such year.  944
       (16) Requirements and procedures regarding the disposition  945
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 34
As Passed by the Senate
of employees of the school in the event the contract is  946
terminated or not renewed pursuant to section 3314.07 of the  947
Revised Code;  948
       (17) Whether the school is to be created by converting all  949
or part of an existing public school or educational service  950
center building or is to be a new start-up school, and if it is  951
a converted public school or service center building, both of  952
the following:  953
       (a) Specification of any duties or responsibilities of an  954
employer that the board of education or service center governing  955
board that operated the school or building before conversion is  956
delegating to the governing authority of the community school  957
with respect to all or any specified group of employees provided  958
the delegation is not prohibited by a collective bargaining  959
agreement applicable to such employees;  960
       (b) Alternative arrangements for current public school  961
students who choose not to attend the converted school and for  962
teachers who choose not to teach in the school or building after  963
conversion.  964
       (18) Provisions establishing procedures for resolving  965
disputes or differences of opinion between the sponsor and the  966
governing authority of the community school;  967
       (19) A provision requiring the governing authority to  968
adopt a policy regarding the admission of students who reside  969
outside the district in which the school is located. That policy  970
shall comply with the admissions procedures specified in  971
sections 3314.06 and 3314.061 of the Revised Code and, at the  972
sole discretion of the authority, shall do one of the following:  973
       (a) Prohibit the enrollment of students who reside outside  974
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 35
As Passed by the Senate
the district in which the school is located;  975
       (b) Permit the enrollment of students who reside in  976
districts adjacent to the district in which the school is  977
located;  978
       (c) Permit the enrollment of students who reside in any  979
other district in the state.  980
       (20) A provision recognizing the authority of the  981
department to take over the sponsorship of the school in  982
accordance with the provisions of division (C) of section  983
3314.015 of the Revised Code;  984
       (21) A provision recognizing the sponsor's authority to  985
assume the operation of a school under the conditions specified  986
in division (B) of section 3314.073 of the Revised Code;  987
       (22) A provision recognizing both of the following:  988
       (a) The authority of public health and safety officials to  989
inspect the facilities of the school and to order the facilities  990
closed if those officials find that the facilities are not in  991
compliance with health and safety laws and regulations;  992
       (b) The authority of the department as the community  993
school oversight body to suspend the operation of the school  994
under section 3314.072 of the Revised Code if the department has  995
evidence of conditions or violations of law at the school that  996
pose an imminent danger to the health and safety of the school's  997
students and employees and the sponsor refuses to take such  998
action.  999
       (23) A description of the learning opportunities that will  1000
be offered to students including both classroom-based and non-  1001
classroom-based learning opportunities that is in compliance  1002
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 36
As Passed by the Senate
with criteria for student participation established by the  1003
department under division (H)(2) of section 3314.08 of the  1004
Revised Code;  1005
       (24) The school will comply with sections 3302.04 and  1006
3302.041 of the Revised Code, except that any action required to  1007
be taken by a school district pursuant to those sections shall  1008
be taken by the sponsor of the school.  1009
       (25) Beginning in the 2006-2007 school year, the school  1010
will open for operation not later than the thirtieth day of  1011
September each school year, unless the mission of the school as  1012
specified under division (A)(2) of this section is solely to  1013
serve dropouts. In its initial year of operation, if the school  1014
fails to open by the thirtieth day of September, or within one  1015
year after the adoption of the contract pursuant to division (D)  1016
of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code if the mission of the  1017
school is solely to serve dropouts, the contract shall be void.  1018
       (26) Whether the school's governing authority is planning  1019
to seek designation for the school as a STEM school equivalent  1020
under section 3326.032 of the Revised Code;  1021
       (27) That the school's attendance and participation  1022
policies will be available for public inspection;  1023
       (28) That the school's attendance and participation  1024
records shall be made available to the department, auditor of  1025
state, and school's sponsor to the extent permitted under and in  1026
accordance with the "Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act  1027
of 1974," 88 Stat. 571, 20 U.S.C. 1232g, as amended, and any  1028
regulations promulgated under that act, and section 3319.321 of  1029
the Revised Code;  1030
       (29) If a school operates using the blended learning  1031
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 37
As Passed by the Senate
model, as defined in section 3301.079 of the Revised Code, all  1032
of the following information:  1033
       (a) An indication of what blended learning model or models  1034
will be used;  1035
       (b) A description of how student instructional needs will  1036
be determined and documented;  1037
       (c) The method to be used for determining competency,  1038
granting credit, and promoting students to a higher grade level;  1039
       (d) The school's attendance requirements, including how  1040
the school will document participation in learning  1041
opportunities;  1042
       (e) A statement describing how student progress will be  1043
monitored;  1044
       (f) A statement describing how private student data will  1045
be protected;  1046
       (g) A description of the professional development  1047
activities that will be offered to teachers.  1048
       (30) A provision requiring that all moneys the school's  1049
operator loans to the school, including facilities loans or cash  1050
flow assistance, must be accounted for, documented, and bear  1051
interest at a fair market rate;  1052
       (31) A provision requiring that, if the governing  1053
authority contracts with an attorney, accountant, or entity  1054
specializing in audits, the attorney, accountant, or entity  1055
shall be independent from the operator with which the school has  1056
contracted.  1057
       (32) A provision requiring the governing authority to  1058
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 38
As Passed by the Senate
adopt an enrollment and attendance policy that requires a  1059
student's parent to notify the community school in which the  1060
student is enrolled when there is a change in the location of  1061
the parent's or student's primary residence.  1062
       (33) A provision requiring the governing authority to  1063
adopt a student residence and address verification policy for  1064
students enrolling in or attending the school.  1065
       (34) A provision establishing the process by which the  1066
governing authority of the school will be selected in the  1067
future.  1068
       (35) A description of the management and administration of  1069
the school.  1070
       (36) A provision requiring the governing authority to  1071
adopt policies and procedures to establish internal financial  1072
controls for the school.  1073
       (B) A contract entered into under section 3314.02 of the  1074
Revised Code between a sponsor and the governing authority of a  1075
community school may provide for the community school governing  1076
authority to make payments to the sponsor, which is hereby  1077
authorized to receive such payments as set forth in the contract  1078
between the governing authority and the sponsor. The total  1079
amount of such payments for monitoring, oversight, and technical  1080
assistance of the school shall not exceed three per cent of the  1081
total amount of payments for operating expenses that the school  1082
receives from the state.  1083
       (C) The contract shall specify the duties of the sponsor  1084
which shall be in accordance with the written agreement entered  1085
into with the department under division (B) of section 3314.015  1086
of the Revised Code and shall include the following:  1087
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 39
As Passed by the Senate
       (1) Monitor the community school's compliance with all  1088
laws applicable to the school and with the terms of the  1089
contract;  1090
       (2) Monitor and evaluate the academic and fiscal  1091
performance and the organization and operation of the community  1092
school on at least an annual basis;  1093
       (3) Provide technical assistance to the community school  1094
in complying with laws applicable to the school and terms of the  1095
contract;  1096
       (4) Take steps to intervene in the school's operation to  1097
correct problems in the school's overall performance, declare  1098
the school to be on probationary status pursuant to section  1099
3314.073 of the Revised Code, suspend the operation of the  1100
school pursuant to section 3314.072 of the Revised Code, or  1101
terminate the contract of the school pursuant to section 3314.07  1102
of the Revised Code as determined necessary by the sponsor;  1103
       (5) Have in place a plan of action to be undertaken in the  1104
event the community school experiences financial difficulties or  1105
closes prior to the end of a school year.  1106
       (D) Upon the expiration of a contract entered into under  1107
this section, the sponsor of a community school may, with the  1108
approval of the governing authority of the school, renew that  1109
contract for a period of time determined by the sponsor, but not  1110
ending earlier than the end of any school year, if the sponsor  1111
finds that the school's compliance with applicable laws and  1112
terms of the contract and the school's progress in meeting the  1113
academic goals prescribed in the contract have been  1114
satisfactory. Any contract that is renewed under this division  1115
remains subject to the provisions of sections 3314.07, 3314.072,  1116
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 40
As Passed by the Senate
and 3314.073 of the Revised Code.  1117
       (E) If a community school fails to open for operation  1118
within one year after the contract entered into under this  1119
section is adopted pursuant to division (D) of section 3314.02  1120
of the Revised Code or permanently closes prior to the  1121
expiration of the contract, the contract shall be void and the  1122
school shall not enter into a contract with any other sponsor. A  1123
school shall not be considered permanently closed because the  1124
operations of the school have been suspended pursuant to section  1125
3314.072 of the Revised Code.  1126
       Sec. 3322.20. (A) The Ohio computer science promise  1127
program is hereby established. Beginning with the 2024-2025  1128
school year, under the program, a student in any of grades seven  1129
through twelve who is a resident of this state may, at no cost  1130
to the student, enroll in and receive high school credit for one  1131
computer science course per academic year that is not offered by  1132
the student's public or nonpublic secondary school, provided the  1133
student is accepted into an eligible course offered by an  1134
approved provider and there are sufficient funds to support  1135
enrollment.  1136
       (B) All Ohio computer science promise program eligible  1137
courses and providers shall be approved by the department of  1138
education and workforce in consultation with the chancellor of  1139
higher education to be eligible for funding. Providers shall  1140
submit to the department the number of content hours included in  1141
each of their programs or courses and the topics addressed. The  1142
department annually shall publish a list of approved providers  1143
and courses.  1144
       (C)(1) Any student enrolled in a public secondary school  1145
may participate in the program if the student meets the  1146
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 41
As Passed by the Senate
applicable eligibility criteria.  1147
       (2) Any student enrolled in a nonpublic secondary school  1148
may participate in the program in a manner prescribed by the  1149
chancellor of higher education if the nonpublic school chooses  1150
to participate in the program.  1151
       (D) Governing entities shall grant high school credit for  1152
courses approved to receive funding through the Ohio computer  1153
science promise program.  1154
       (E) All public secondary schools shall participate in the  1155
program and are subject to the requirements of this chapter. Any  1156
nonpublic secondary school that chooses to participate in the  1157
program shall also be subject to the requirements of this  1158
chapter.  1159
       (F) The chancellor of higher education, in accordance with  1160
Chapter 119. of the Revised Code and in consultation with the  1161
director of education and workforce, shall adopt rules governing  1162
the program.  1163
       Sec. 3326.15. Each science, technology, engineering, and  1164
mathematics school and its governing body shall comply with  1165
sections 3313.603 and , 3313.6027, 3313.6034, and 3313.6035 of  1166
the Revised Code as if it were a school district. However, a  1167
STEM school may permit a student to earn units of high school  1168
credit based on a demonstration of subject area competency  1169
instead of or in combination with completing hours of classroom  1170
instruction prior to the adoption by the department of education  1171
and workforce of the plan for granting high school credit based  1172
on competency, as required by division (J) of that section. Upon  1173
adoption of the plan, each STEM school shall comply with that  1174
plan and award units of high school credit in accordance with  1175
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 42
As Passed by the Senate
the plan.  1176
       Sec. 3328.22. The educational program of a college-  1177
preparatory boarding school established under this chapter shall  1178
include at least all of the following:  1179
       (A) A remedial curriculum for students in grades lower  1180
than grade nine;  1181
       (B) A college-preparatory curriculum for high school  1182
students that, at a minimum, shall comply with sections 3313.603  1183
and , 3313.6027, 3313.6034, and 3313.6035 of the Revised Code as  1184
that section applies to school districts;  1185
       (C) Extracurricular activities, including athletic and  1186
cultural activities;  1187
       (D) College admission counseling;  1188
       (E) Health and mental health services;  1189
       (F) Tutoring services;  1190
       (G) Community services opportunities;  1191
       (H) A residential student life program.  1192
       Section 2. That existing sections 3313.603, 3314.03,  1193
3322.20, 3326.15, and 3328.22 of the Revised Code are hereby  1194
repealed.  1195
       Section 3. Section 3314.03 of the Revised Code is  1196
presented in this act as a composite of the section as amended  1197
by both H.B. 10 and H.B. 96 of the 136th General Assembly. The  1198
General Assembly, applying the principle stated in division (B)  1199
of section 1.52 of the Revised Code that amendments are to be  1200
harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation,  1201
finds that the composite is the resulting version of the section  1202
Sub. S. B. No. 326  Page 43
As Passed by the Senate
in effect prior to the effective date of the section as  1203
presented in this act.  1204