A call to action: Promoting computer science in schools
Most schools teach computer literacy, but most don’t provide in-depth instruction on computer science, which underlies today’s innovations. Additionally, certain student populations don’t have ready access to computers. Improvement in schools is at a snail’s pace especially when compared to the rapid growth in technology. Supply cannot keep up with demand.
This month, Google and Gallup partnered on a study, “Searching for Computer Science: Access and Barriers in U.S. K-12 Education”. They surveyed thousands of students, parents, teachers, principals, and superintendents on the state of computer science and technology education in U.S. schools. From the findings, parents and students are demanding more and deeper computing classes in schools, yet three-quarters of principals said their schools don’t provide it.
Access to computers is also an issue, with only four in 10 students reported using computers at school on a daily basis. Students need the exposure to computer technologies in order to work in today’s cyber economy and move to deeper understanding of computer science, programming, and information technology administration.
I encourage you to read the Google/Gallup Report, Searching for Computer Science and draw your own conclusions.
The Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) Computer Science Teaching Association (CSTA) echoes these findings in their campaign, Running on Empty: The Failure to Teach k-12 Computer Science in the Digital Age:
“As the digital age has transformed the world and workforce, U.S. K–12 education has fallen woefully behind in preparing students with the fundamental computer science knowledge and skills they need for future success.” ACM/CSTA, “Running on Empty”
ACM/CSTA tracks fluency in Information Technology adoption rates for the United States. On their maps, they evaluate the percentage K-12 schools are adopting IT in terms of Skills, Capabilities, and Concepts.
The US does fairly well in basic computing skills (email, word processing, general usage).
In the 21st Century, no other subject provides as many opportunities as Information Technology / Computer Science, no matter the student’s ultimate occupation. Yet, we’re failing at an international scale in providing adequate education or even exposure in these subjects. Failure is not an option, because ready or not, the technology is here.
The National Center for Women & Information Technology website Moving Beyond Computer Literacy: Why Schools Should Teach Computer Science offers additional talking points both how and why teaching computing is a must-have:
A Call to Action: We need to work together to build our profession, our communities, and our next-generation of cybersecurity leaders.
For more information on what you can do to help solve this problem, read the Google/Gallup recommendations: Taking Action On, Searching for Computer Science.
As professionals, let’s partner with local teachers and school districts who are trying to make a difference. Help educate the educators and let them know there’s a community who cares.
Next week, I’ll provide other ways for you to get involved through computer security camps, clubs, and competitions.