Feb 20, 2018
What’s going on? Indiana is the next state moving toward the “Computer Science for All” vision backed by Silicon Valley and Presidents Trump and Obama. While only half of schools in Indiana currently offer computer science, Governor Holcomb wants to require one hundred percent of schools to offer it by 2021. A bill that would create a state grant program to train teachers for these classes has been introduced and Indiana’s House Education Committee unanimously endorsed a slightly tweaked version of the original bill today. The full house could vote next week.
What does this mean for educators? While students won’t be required to take computer science classes, legislators across the US are moving closer to requiring schools to offer them. Those still trying to get by only offering basic keyboarding skills will have big changes ahead and despite challenges like funding, the need for new equipment, and finding a way to keep pace with rapidly changing technology, US educators are looking at a near future of new training and course offerings.
The bottom line for tutors... While state and local governments struggle to make the necessary changes to their educational programs and legislators debate whether computer science should prepare students for jobs or teach them new ways to think and solve problems, tutors can fill the gap by offering to teach students the computer science skills they will need for the future.
Image source: http://www.wibc.com/news/local-news/indiana-schools-may-be-required-offer-computer-science-starting-2021
