Michigan new law mandates Computer Science classes in high schools

Forward-looking: Michigan has passed a new law requiring all public high schools to offer at least one computer science course starting in 2027, a way of boosting tech skills and preparing the future workforce. It essentially guarantees all students in the state will soon have access to at least some computer science education before graduating.

The bipartisan bill, signed into law last week by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, aims to increase technological literacy across the state. It mandates that every Michigan high school must provide an in-person computer science class meeting standards set by the state board of education. Virtual options are allowed if in-person is not possible, except for fully online schools.

The law was announced as part of a package promoting economic development. Whitmer emphasized positioning Michigan as an attractive place for innovation and advanced manufacturing. She framed the computer science requirement as aligning Michigan with the majority of other states while equipping students with critical thinking abilities needed to succeed in tomorrow’s jobs.

Advocates who testified in support of the legislation included major tech companies such as Amazon and Microsoft, as well as nonprofit groups they fund like Code.org. Also backing the bill were the Computer Science Teachers Association and tech industry lobbyists like TechNet, whose members include Apple, Google, Meta, and others.

Their stance was that increasing access to computer science education should be a top priority. This ensures students can compete for well-paying, in-demand positions in fields driven by computing in the coming decades.

The new law defines computer science broadly as the study of computational principles, hardware, software, and their societal impacts – with a focus on creating new technologies rather than just using them.

It’s unclear how many Michigan high schools already teach dedicated computer science courses meeting this definition. But the legislation signals state leaders and major employers recognize the growing importance of seeding those foundations earlier in the education pipeline.

Besides this law, Michigan passed another bill that provides tax incentives for data centers to locate in the state. House Bill 4906 extends a tax exemption on data center equipment investments, aiming to attract these operations and create jobs. Proponents say the data center growth enabled by these incentives could generate tens of millions in tax revenue to fund schools and services across Michigan communities.

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