After an attempt to approve the standards stalled in March, policymakers are now weighing a thorough curriculum against teachers' ability to teach it.

The Washington metro area has more computer science graduates than anywhere else, but university officials say it still isn't enough.

The standards will introduce students to computer science basics and gradually will teach more complex topics such as coding and design.

Educators, lawmakers and the public are divided on how to balance the need for computer science education with funding and teacher workload issues.

Proposed legislation is one piece of a broader push in the state to heighten workforce development and computer science education.

Adult and technical, K-12, and early-childhood education are all finding heightened support from state leaders, policy analysts said at SXSW 2019.

All public high-school students in the state must now receive computer science education before graduation.

Gov. Bill Lee says the initiative would bolster the technology workforce and help develop new computer science standards and teacher training.

Funding new programs that provide college pathways and teacher training is hoped to close a gap in the technical workforce.