LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has signed into law a measure requiring public high schools to offer computer science courses in the coming school year.
Hutchinson signed the bill Tuesday, following through on a campaign promise he says was inspired by his 12-year-old granddaughter learning computer coding. Hutchinson, a Republican, was elected in November.
The new law gives districts the option of offering the courses in-person or online. Supporters have said course work could be offered through Virtual Arkansas, a digital delivery system that serves 180 districts in the state.
Hutchinson said the new law will help make the state more competitive by increasing the number of students pursuing computer science careers.
Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.