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Information Technology & Innovation Foundation
Despite the growing use of computers and software in every facet of our economy, not until recently has computer science education begun to gain traction in American school systems. The current focus on improving science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in the U.S. school system has disregarded differences within STEM fields. Indeed, the most important STEM field for a modern economy is not only one that is not represented by its own initial in "STEM" but also the field with the fewest number of high school students taking its classes and by far has the most room for improvement — computer science.
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THE Journal
Schools should be doing a lot more to promote the study of computer science as a discipline. At the high school level, only about a quarter of schools have CS classes, and many of those focus on computer use or coding rather than CS principles. At the college level enrollment in such courses is often restricted to those in the major or bloated with extra fees. According to the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, a nonprofit science and technology think tank, while there's a certain "groundswell of interest" in CS in the United States, it's still not enough to address the high demand for skilled workers among employers.
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The Register-Guard (commentary)
Cale Bruckner, a contributor for The Register-Guard, writes: "Eugene is characterized by many things — the area's natural beauty, a thriving arts scene and something that has increasingly gained national attention: our vibrant technology community. Today, tech and the future of Oregon are inextricably linked. Here in Lane County, more than 400 tech companies are taking on global challenges and solving big problems. The Silicon Shire has quickly become an epicenter of innovation and entrepreneurship in the state. And companies here are looking to grow."
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Tallahassee Democrat
Recently, Florida's State Board of Education adopted standards for learning computer science in the state's K-12 schools. It was a meaningless gesture. It was meaningless because the Board did not formulate a proposal for recruiting and retaining more teachers qualified to teach computer science. Computer science and information technology are among the most lucrative fields for new bachelor's degree graduates, and those deciding to enter teaching are generally going to earn $10,000 or even $20,000 less than those taking jobs in other sectors. In adopting computer science standards, the Board did not acknowledge this challenge.
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The Sacramento Bee
Silicon Valley is known for launching new ideas with high intensity and on a massive scale. So it's no surprise that with the support of the technology industry, computer science education is expanding at lightning speed. But scaling up without a clear strategy could have unintended consequences. That's why we're calling on California to develop a comprehensive plan for computer science education across the state.
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Chicago Inno
Annabelle Lee, a junior at Whitney Young High School, had never considered a career in computer science, despite her interest and aptitude for math and the arts. In addition, she was always in the gender minority in her math classes and clubs — she was the only girl on her middle school math team. Her mother suggested she try coding, so last summer Lee spent seven weeks at a Girls Who Code camp at Accenture. She was hooked — it brought together her interest in math and art, while giving her an idea of what it would be like to pursue computer science professionally.
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The Register
Computer science students in the U.S. aren't being taught properly, and their classes are too limited in scope, says one IT think-tank. The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation says that its most recent study of curriculum in the U.S. has found that not enough schools are offering computer science classes, and those that do aren't going in-depth enough.
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eSchool News
In President Barack Obama's "Computer Science for All Initiative" (announced in the 2016 State of the Union) he states we should offer "every student the hands-on computer science and math classes that make them job-ready on day one." Software programming and critical thinking are the new building blocks for our children to compete within a 21st century global workplace. Teaching coding effectively requires an equal understanding of the technology discipline and sound classroom instruction. Successful programs must be tested and proven in real-world, everyday school environments.
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Weatherford Democrat
Robots and flying drones moved throughout TroopTrack's recent coding camp open house as part of an effort to foster more interest among school students. When David Christiansen, a computer programmer, held a coding camp in his house last year, he had no idea it would culminate in having an even bigger one that would require another workspace. "People heard about it and basically said 'hey you've got to do more of this and try a bigger code camp,'" he said.
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ACM, the world's largest educational and scientific computing society, delivers resources that advance computing as a science and a profession. CSTA appreciates ACM's ongoing support!
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