The Michigan House today approved Rep. Greg VanWoerkom’s proposal updating high school curriculum standards with options to better prepare students for future careers.

VanWoerkom’s legislation would allow students to complete a computer coding class as a foreign language equivalent for the purposes of meeting graduation standards.

“This is about helping kids and setting them up for a better chance at success,” said VanWoerkom, of Norton Shores. “Any parent will tell you that every kid is different – including how they process information and learn. If we don’t acknowledge that, we’re doing them a disservice.

“This legislation provides kids and their families more flexibility to take ownership of their own education. It provides the opportunity to learn an incredibly important skill – a skill that employers want, and a skill that helps develop the use of logic, reasoning, problem-solving and creativity. These are invaluable skills in any career and in all facets of life.”

Coding is a fast-growing industry with applications in everything from finance to farming and shipping to ship building, VanWoerkom said.

House Bill 4326 advances to the Senate for further consideration.