H.R. 6591

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6591 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6591

To authorize the Secretary of Education to carry out a program to 
increase access to prekindergarten through grade 12 computer science 
education.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 10, 2025

Ms. Rivas (for herself, Mr. Amo, Mrs. Beatty, Ms. Budzinski, Mr. 
Carson, Ms. DelBene, Mr. Goldman of New York, Ms. Norton, Mr. Ivey, Ms. 
Kelly of Illinois, Mr. Lieu, Mrs. McIver, Mr. Quigley, and Ms. Titus) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Education and Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To authorize the Secretary of Education to carry out a program to 
increase access to prekindergarten through grade 12 computer science 
education.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Computer Science for All Act of 
2025''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) Computer science is transforming industry, creating new 
fields of commerce, driving innovation, and bolstering 
productivity. By 2034, computer science and information jobs 
are expected to grow by 20 percent, faster than the average of 
any other occupation.
(2) Knowledge of computer science and use of technology is 
increasingly essential for all individuals, not just those 
working or planning to work in the technology sector.
(3) Providing students with computer science education in 
elementary school and secondary school is critical for student 
success, and strengthening the workforce of a 21st century 
economy.
(4) While an estimated 90 percent of parents want computer 
science taught in their children's schools, just 60 percent of 
public high schools offer a foundational computer science 
course.
(5) Black and Hispanic workers in the science and 
engineering workforce continue to be underrepresented. Black 
employees represent 11 percent of the United States workforce, 
but only 9 percent of the STEAM workforce. Hispanic employees 
represent 17 percent of the United States workforce, but only 8 
percent of the STEAM workforce.
(6) While underrepresented minority students overall face 
an opportunity gap in STEAM education, women of color 
particularly face an achievement gap in science and engineering 
education. In 2022, while women were conferred nearly a third 
of all science and engineering degrees, women of color received 
only 15 percent (Black: 3 percent; Hispanic: 4.5 percent; 
Native American or Alaskan Native: 1 percent; Asian or Pacific 
Islander: 5 percent; and multiracial: 1 percent).
(7) In 2022, of all engineering technologies and 
engineering-related bachelor level-related studies, only 4 
percent of nationwide enrollment was represented by Black 
students, while just 13 percent were represented by Hispanic 
students.
(8) Women overall face challenges in accessing computer 
science education. Only 18 percent of all bachelor's degrees 
conferred in computer science went to women in 2015, and women 
of color received only 9 percent of degrees (Black: 3 percent; 
Hispanic: 2 percent; Native American or Alaska Native: 0.8 
percent; and Asian or Pacific islander: 3 percent).
(9) Lack of universal computer science education is evident 
in the lack of a widespread tech industry, which is 
overwhelmingly concentrated in a few cities nationwide. Tech 
industry entrepreneurship is concentrated in just a few States 
and computer science education is limited to affluent schools 
and students, placing low-income, minority, and rural 
communities at risk of being left behind.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Computational thinking.--The term ``computational 
thinking''--
(A) means the wide range of creative processes that 
go into formulating problems and their solutions in 
such a way that the solutions can be carried out by a 
computer; and
(B) may involve some understanding of software and 
hardware design, logic and the use of abstraction and 
representation, algorithm design, algorithm expression, 
problem decomposition, modularity, programming 
paradigms and languages, issues of information security 
and privacy, the application of computation across a 
wide range of disciplines, and the societal impact of 
computing. Programming is a hands-on, inquiry-based way 
in which computational thinking may be learned.
(2) Computer science education.--The term ``computer 
science education'' includes any of the following:
(A) Computational thinking.
(B) Software design.
(C) Hardware architecture and organization.
(D) Theoretical foundations.
(E) Use of abstraction and representation in 
problem solving.
(F) Logic.
(G) Algorithm design and implementation.
(H) The limits of computation.
(I) Programming paradigms and languages.
(J) Parallel and distributed computing.
(K) Information security and privacy.
(L) Computing systems and networks.
(M) Graphics and visualization.
(N) Databases and information retrieval.
(O) The relationship between computing and 
mathematics.
(P) Artificial intelligence.
(Q) Applications of computing across a broad range 
of disciplines and problems.
(R) Cloud computing.
(S) The social impacts and professional practices 
of computing.
(3) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a 
State, local educational agency, or eligible Tribal school that 
demonstrates an ability to carry out an ambitious computer 
science education expansion effort for all students served by 
the State, agency, or school, respectively, including 
traditionally underrepresented students.
(4) Eligible tribal school.--The term ``eligible Tribal 
school'' means--
(A) a school operated by the Bureau of Indian 
Education;
(B) a school operated pursuant to the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
450 et seq.); or
(C) a tribally controlled school (as defined in 
section 5212 of the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 
1988 (25 U.S.C. 2511)).
(5) Institution of higher education.--The term 
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1002).
(6) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational 
agency'' means a local educational agency that meets the 
requirements of section 1003(f) of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6303(f)).
(7) Poverty line.--The term ``poverty line'' has the 
meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8101).
(8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
of Education.
(9) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning given the 
term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801), in which at least one local 
educational agency is located.
(10) STEAM.--The term ``STEAM'' means the subjects of 
science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, 
including computer science.

SEC. 4. GRANTS TO STATES, LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES, AND ELIGIBLE 
TRIBAL SCHOOLS.

(a) Grants to States, Local Educational Agencies, and Eligible 
Tribal Schools.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants to 
eligible entities to serve as models for national replication 
of computer science education expansion efforts.
(2) Consortia and partnerships.--An eligible entity may 
apply for a grant under this section as part of a consortium or 
in partnership with a State educational agency or other 
partner.
(3) Duration.--Grants awarded under this section shall be 
for a period of not more than 5 years.
(b) Application Requirements.--An eligible entity that desires a 
grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary 
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the 
Secretary may require, including, at a minimum, plans for the 
following:
(1) Every high school student served by eligible entity to 
have access to computer science education not later than 5 
years after receipt of grant funds.
(2) All students served by the eligible entity to have 
access to a progression of computer science education from 
prekindergarten through middle school that prepares students 
for high school computer science education.
(3) Expansion of overall access to rigorous STEAM classes, 
utilizing computer science as a catalyst for increased interest 
in STEAM more broadly, and reducing the enrollment and academic 
achievement gap for underrepresented groups such as minorities, 
girls, and youth from families living at, or below, the poverty 
line.
(4) Continuous monitoring and evaluation of project 
activities.
(5) Effectively sustaining project activities after the 
grant period ends, and the length of time which the applicant 
plans to sustain the project activities.
(6) Preparing the students for application of computer 
science knowledge in rapidly evolving technologies, such as 
artificial intelligence.
(c) Use of Grant Funds.--
(1) Required activities.--An eligible entity that receives 
a grant under this section shall use the grant funds for each 
of the following activities:
(A) Training teachers of elementary school and 
secondary school to teach computer science.
(B) Expanding access to high-quality learning 
materials and online learning options.
(C) Creating plans for expanding overall access to 
rigorous STEAM classes, utilizing computer science as a 
catalyst for increased interest in STEAM more broadly, 
and reducing course equity gaps for all students, 
including underrepresented groups such as minorities, 
girls, and youth from low-income families.
(D) Ensuring additional support and resources, 
which may include mentoring for students traditionally 
underrepresented in STEAM fields.
(2) Permissible activities.--An eligible entity that 
receives a grant under this section may use the grant funds for 
the following activities:
(A) Building effective regional collaborations with 
industry, nonprofit organizations, 2-year and 4-year 
degree granting institutions of higher education 
(including community colleges, Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving 
institutions, Asian American and Native American 
Pacific Islander-serving institutions, American Indian 
Tribally controlled colleges and universities, Alaska 
Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, 
Predominantly Black Institutions, Native American-
serving, Nontribal institutions, and other minority-
serving institutions), and out-of-school providers.
(B) Recruiting and hiring instructional personnel 
as needed, including curriculum specialists.
(C) Preparations for effectively sustaining project 
activities after the grant period ends.
(D) Disseminating information about effective 
practices.
(E) Including the use of artificial intelligence in 
the classroom to expand students' access to a rapidly 
evolving technology.
(3) Limitation.--Not more than 15 percent of a grant 
awarded under this Act may be used to purchase equipment.
(d) National Activities.--Of the amount appropriated under 
subsection (e) for a fiscal year, the Secretary may reserve not more 
than 2.5 percent of funds available for grants under this section for 
national activities, including technical assistance, evaluation, and 
dissemination.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section a total of $250,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2026 and the succeeding 4 fiscal years.

SEC. 5. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Grantee Reports.--Each eligible entity that receives a grant 
under this Act shall submit to the Secretary a report, not less than 
twice a year during the grant period, on the use of grant funds that 
shall include data on the numbers of students served through activities 
funded under this Act, disaggregated by race (for Asian and Native 
Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students using the same race response 
categories as the decennial census of the population), ethnicity, 
gender, and eligibility to receive a free or reduced price lunch under 
the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et 
seq.).
(b) Report by the Secretary.--Not later than 5 years after the 
first grant is awarded under this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
Congress a report based on the analysis of reports received under 
subsection (a) with a recommendation on how to expand the program under 
this Act.

SEC. 6. AMENDMENTS TO OTHER LAWS.

(a) Department of Education Organization Act.--Section 203(c)(1) of 
the Department of Education Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3413(c)(1)) is 
amended by inserting before the semicolon the following: ``, which 
shall include information with respect to the existence of computer 
science education (as defined in section 3 of the Computer Science for 
All Act of 2025), disaggregated by the type of computer science 
education and by State, local educational agency, and eligible tribal 
school (as such terms are defined in such section 3)''.
(b) The Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002.--Section 153(a)(1) 
of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9543(a)(1)) is 
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (N), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (O), by adding ``and'' at the end; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(P) the existence of computer science education 
(as defined in section 3 of the Computer Science for 
All Act of 2025) in elementary schools and secondary 
schools, and the degree of competency in computer 
science fields among such students.''.
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