BISMARCK, N.D. (KFGO) – Gov. Doug Burgum has signed a bill that will require North Dakota’s K-12 schools to teach computer science and cybersecurity.
At a bill signing ceremony Friday, School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler said HB1398 makes North Dakota the first state in the nation to approve legislation requiring cybersecurity education.
“Today is the culmination of years of work by stakeholders from all sectors to recognize and promote the importance of cybersecurity and computer science education in our elementary, middle and high schools,” Baesler said.
Baesler said work on the bill began in 2015, when the Department of Public Instruction formed a group to create a vision for K-12 education’s computer science and cybersecurity instructional needs.
“Our vision is to integrate and underscore the importance of computer science and cybersecurity instruction into the classes our students take as they move through our K-12 system,” Baesler said. “Under this bill, the information and knowledge our students need will be part of every grade level, which is appropriate when you consider the role that technology plays in our everyday lives.”
Baesler said EduTech, a division of North Dakota Information Technology that provides information technology support and professional development for K-12 educators, will be developing examples of cybersecurity and computer science education integration plans that may be used to assist local schools develop their own plans.
Burgum said the bill keeps with his administration’s emphasis on developing student and citizen knowledge of computer science and cybersecurity, which he said is one of the most pressing issues in North Dakota.
“Our students have more access than ever to computers and technology devices in our schools. It’s crucial that our students also learn cyber safety skills,” Burgum said. “The ability to manage technology is also important in helping our North Dakota students to get good jobs.”
Zoe Bundy, a senior at Fargo Davies High School, was on hand for the ceremony. She said the bill is rewriting the narrative for students, teachers, and the leaders of today and tomorrow.
“Our students are already working hard to make our state better and solve the problems the world is facing,” Bundy said. “I think having the tools and being equipped to use technology effectively will truly help them use their potential and be effective in changing the world.”
HB1398 passed 81-11 in the House, and 44-1 in the Senate.
