An act relating to cybersecurity. An act to amend Section 33548 of the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction.
Summary
AB 2298 would amend Education Code Section 33548 to direct the Instructional Quality Commission, when computer science content standards are next revised after January 1, 2027, to consider incorporating cybersecurity skills into those standards. It would also require the commission, when computer science instructional materials are next adopted after that date, to consider including cybersecurity skills in the criteria used to evaluate those materials. The bill defines cybersecurity skills as techniques for protecting information and devices by preventing, detecting, and responding to attacks by threat actors.
The measure is part of a broader set of curriculum-related provisions in Section 33548 that already address media literacy and AI literacy in other subject areas. In addition to the cybersecurity-related changes, the bill text restates existing framework language and includes a statement of legislative intent to enact legislation relating to cybersecurity. The bill does not create a new standalone program or mandate immediate curriculum changes; instead, it ties consideration of cybersecurity content to the next scheduled revision and adoption cycles.
Impact
The bill would affect state education policy by adding cybersecurity to the list of topics the Instructional Quality Commission must consider when revising computer science standards and evaluating computer science instructional materials. It would not directly require local school districts to adopt a specific curriculum, but it would influence future statewide standards and textbook/materials review under the Education Code. The practical effect would be to increase the likelihood that cybersecurity concepts appear in California computer science instruction and approved instructional materials after the next revision cycle in 2027.
Sentiment
The available vote history suggests broad support for the bill, with the committee vote recorded as 9-0 in favor of do pass and re-refer to Appropriations with a recommendation for the consent calendar. No committee transcript is available, so there is no recorded floor or committee debate to indicate opposition. Overall, the bill appears to have been treated as a noncontroversial education and workforce-preparation measure.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the available materials. Because the bill only requires the commission to 'consider' incorporating cybersecurity skills at the next revision and adoption points, any potential concerns would likely center on implementation details, curriculum crowding, or whether cybersecurity should be treated as a separate requirement rather than one topic among many in computer science. However, no legislator, committee member, or stakeholder opposition is reflected in the provided record.
An act to amend Sections 44671 and 49600 of, and to add Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 52210) to Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of, the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction.