It’s common to hear young people today described as the first generation of “digital natives.” We often simply assume that they are gaining the skills they need to succeed in the data-driven, technologically-advanced 21st century. So it’s doubly disappointing to read the recent article by Ali Hibbs, published in Metroland, that summarizes the sad state of computer science education in public schools:
New York state doesn’t even recognize computer science as an official subject, putting us behind the state of Texas which, dubiously, has recently voted to fold computer-science courses into their foreign languages curriculum. In fact, only 14 states in the nation count computer-science classes toward graduation requirements, so that, if they’re offered at all, students must take them as electives. Only 5 percent of high schools in the United States offer Advanced Placement Computer Science and, even more disturbing, a disproportionately low number of students that do take these courses are women and minorities.
Python may be difficult to learn, but it’s not rocket surgery. Fortunately, a variety of efforts have sprung up to attempt to improve the situation. Online resources like Codecademy, Code.org, and vibrant online community forums provide tutorials and curricula to anyone with a computer and an internet connection. Unfortunately, that minimum requirement still leaves many people out. Enter TEALS:
TEALS (Technology Education and Literacy in Schools) intends to bring volunteer software engineers into 18 high school classrooms this fall to teach computer-science concepts to participating students and a teacher—who will eventually take over the course—in the mornings before their (presumably much more lucrative) day jobs.
Volunteering for a good cause is great. It’s even better when you bring your valuable professional skills to bear. Microsoft employees and other companies’ developers are serving a critical role in bridging the gap between online resources and classrooms full of kids and computers.
Read the full article about computer science education in New York, or learn more about the TEALS program in this New York Times profile. You can even sign up to pitch in on the TEALS website.