More states are adapting computer science classes in order for them to count towards high school graduation requirements. In 2020, there will be 1.4 million computing jobs available in the United States, and only 400,000 computer science students may be in the education pipeline.
The number of students, however, may slowly be increasing, for now 25 states are adopting the course, compared to 11 states in 2013, according to an article DistrictAdministration.com.
“We have fewer schools offering computer science now than we did 15 years ago—there’s been a drop that’s just starting to recover,” said Jake Baskin, outreach manager for Code.org. Computer science, the article said, “includes programming, website development, software engineering and binary coding.”
“Contributing to its decline in K12 schools has been a lack of qualified teachers in many parts of the country,” said Baskin. “And standardized math and English testing have, in the past decade, monopolized attention and resources, though the critical thinking and problem-solving skills learned through computer science can boost student performance in other subjects.”
There are new policies, the article said, “allowing the classes to count toward graduation in many states, students may have more incentive to take a course.”
“The best measurement of the number of computer science students is AP exam data,” the article said. “In 2013, some 30,000 U.S. students took the AP computer science exam—fewer than almost every other subject.”
Organizations such as Code in the Schools, Girls Who Code, the Computer Science Teachers Association, and other organizations, “can help districts design computer science classes and clubs,” the article said.
Lissa Claybord, acting executive director at CSTA, said “administrators can also seek guidance from colleagues who have enhanced their computer science curricula.”
“In the next 10 to 20 years the bulk of U.S. jobs are going to need this skillset,” Clayborn says. “I would want to offer something that could help my students find a career in the future.”
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Article by Kassondra Granata, Education World Contributor
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