A highly experienced superintendent, Alberto Carvalho, writes about the current state of Computer Science in K-12 schools.
A good national infrastructure is built on the foundations of a great education system. Only 51% of public high schools in the United States offer computer science courses. But it is not enough to only offer the courses. We must also increase accessibility to these classes, to encourage more students to take these courses. Computing jobs are on the rise yet the number of graduates in computer science is only a small percentage of the jobs available. The demand will continue to rise and it offers opportunities for underrepresented groups. Yet, those underrepresented groups are less likely to take the courses when they are offered. That is why we must increase accessibility, so that those who lack the connections to be employed in these fields can gain the employment that they seek.
It is not only those in the education field who are interested in this subject. Companies like Apple, Microsoft and Google, along with manufacturers like Nike, Starbucks and Walgreens signed the letter alongside of multiple teacher unions, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce calling on states to ensure that every K-12 student is given the opportunity to learn computer science.
For more information, please read the article: Our K-12 Students Cannot Wait Any Longer For Computer Science Education