New York Public Schools Recognize Computer Science Credit toward Graduation

| MSNY Staff

New York Public Schools Recognize Computer Science Credit toward Graduation

Increasing access to computer science education sustains American innovation.  We know that to keep pace with technology in the modern workplace, students must gain even a basic understanding of computer science.  That’s why Microsoft is so encouraged that New York recently joined a growing number of states that count computer science courses as a math or science requirement toward graduation.

New York’s new education requirements will allow students to pursue and become proficient in courses that were previously not incorporated into the core curriculum of public education institutions.  This move comes at a critical time as the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that between 2010 and 2020 approximately 60 percent of math and science job openings will be in computing professions.  At a time when less than 2.4 percent of college students graduate with a degree in Computer Science, New York’s action will give students a leg up on the skills needed for a growing demand in jobs in the computer science field.

This effort began in the 2013 legislative session with action by Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi.  His persistence led to the New York State Education Department issuing new regulations in October 2014 and alerting all public schools in the State of New York that computer science courses are now eligible to count as a math or science requirement for graduation.  Read more about the effort here.

Microsoft applauds New York State’s leadership in ushering through this important change and looks forward to joining Code.org in recognizing Computer Science Education Week December 8-14, 2014.  Learn more about other free programs on the Microsoft YouthSpark Hub.  Microsoft YouthSpark is a company-wide global initiative providing young people with education, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

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