(A) Southern state community college shall establish and maintain the Ohio code-scholar program, a hands-on educational initiative designed for students in grades four through twelve, with an emphasis on experiential learning in computer science, coding, and digital literacy.
(B) Southern state community college shall use any funds appropriated by the general assembly for the Ohio-code scholar program for the following purposes:
(1) All of the following:
(a) Curriculum development and alignment;
(b) Teacher training and resource creation;
(c) Coordination with K-12 schools statewide;
(d) Partnership development with other educational institutions, workforce agencies, and regional employers ;
(2) To implement and scale the program statewide, prioritizing outreach to underserved and rural areas, particularly within Ohio's Appalachian region.
(3) To provide ongoing institutional support for southern state community college, including all of the following:
(a) Operational needs that enhance its educational mission;
(b) Technology and infrastructure upgrades;
(c) Community outreach;
(d) Services that strengthen the college's regional impact in the Appalachian corridor.
(C) The director of development shall oversee the allocation and use of these funds. The director of education and workforce may establish guidelines to ensure compliance with this section.
(D) Southern state community college shall submit an annual report to the director of education and workforce and the general assembly by the thirtieth day of June that includes all of the following:
(1) The number of students and districts served by the Ohio code-scholar program;
(2) Progress toward statewide implementation;
(3) Regional economic and educational impact;
(4) Use of funds for both programmatic and general operational support.
Last updated September 30, 2025 at 5:06 AM