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I truly believe that Californias future is dependent on preparing students for the tech-driven global economy. You see where the world is going, and its urgent that we make this happen, said Allison Scott, chief executive officer of the Kapor Foundation, an Oakland-based organization that advocates for equity in the technology sector.

Scott was among those at aconferencein Oakland this week aimed at expanding computer science education nationally. While some states such as Arkansas, Maryland and South Carolina are well on their way to offering computer science to all students, California lags far behind. According to a2022 report by Code.org (PDF), only 40% of California high schools offer computer science classes, well below the national average of 53%.

Californias lower-income students, rural students and students of color were significantly less likely to have access to computer science classes, putting them at a disadvantage in the job market, according to a 2021 report (PDF)by the Kapor Center and Computer Science for California.

The state has made some progress in the past few years since adopting its sweeping Computer Science Strategic Implementation Planandcurriculum standardsin 2018. More students are taking and passing the Advanced Placement computer science exams, and schools are gradually adding computer science curriculum either as a stand-alone class or integrated into math, science or other courses. The University of California now accepts computer science as satisfying a third or fourth year of math or science, instead of just as an elective. And some districts, such as Oakland Unified and San Francisco Unified, have greatly expanded their computer science offerings, thanks in part to a grant from the Salesforce Foundation.

To help solve the computer science teacher shortage, Gov. Gavin Newsom this month signed Assembly Bill 1251, which creates a commission that will look at ways to streamline the process of becoming a computer science teacher. The current process is so arduous, some say, that its keeping high-quality teachers from the classroom, especially in rural and lower-income areas.

Currently, there are three ways to teach computer science in California. One is to earn a career and technical education credential, which requires work experience but no post-graduate coursework. Another is to hold a math, business or industrial technology credential. The third is to obtain a credential in any subject and then add an extra 20 units of computer science. Because of confusion over requirements, funding and curriculum, schools have difficulty finding the right teachers to teach specific classes.

The goal is to ensure we have well-prepared computer science teachers for all students so they can engage in the world around them. Were making progress, but we have a ways to go, said Julie Flapan, director of the Computer Science Equity Project at UCLA. The new law should help eliminate that confusion, possibly leading to the creation of a computer science credential.

Link:

California Near the Bottom of US Computer Science Rankings as It Struggles With Teacher Shortage - KQED