A new state mandate is requiring high schools to give students the chance to take at least one computer science course starting next school year.

The Illinois School Board of Education is making it a standard and amending the School Code.

However, before the classes can be offered teachers will need to be licensed for the course.

Rhyann Morris with the University of Illinois Springfield's admission department said this is leading many districts to work out agreements with universities like UIS.

"We've been talking to the local districts including District 186," Morris said. "And a lot of the schools don't have teachers qualified to teach computer science. And in addition there are fewer higher education institutions that offer these endorsements as well."

UIS is offering online courses starting on June 6.

This story aired on WICS Newschannel 30 on May 26, 2022. Watch the entire story online.