News Brief
Companies Call for Tech Classes in Massachusetts Schools
Boston Globe (06/11/13) Farrell, Michael B.Google Inc., Microsoft Corp., and other firms are advancing a proposal that would require all Massachusetts public schools to teach computer science to help reduce their reliance on foreign workers to fill future programming and engineering jobs. The plan would call for teaching computer science as early as eighth grade, adding computer science questions to state standardized tests, and creating a statewide curriculum for technology instruction through high school. If the state adopts the proposal, it would be the second state to do so; South Carolina already has such mandates in place. Massachusetts Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester says, "It's a matter of balancing a worthwhile goal against a universe of finite resources, and where there are many important goals." The proposal would require millions of dollars in investment to retrain hundreds of teachers and hire new ones as well as add another layer of teaching requirements and testing for schools and students. Chester says students need to be better equipped to pursue computer science careers but advocates incorporating computer teaching into existing course work or allowing school districts to create their own specific curriculum. Some school districts in the state already offer computer science courses, with about 713 high school students taking an advanced placement exam in computer science last year. The technology companies say they would help pay for the increased computer education and raise funding to buy equipment and retrain teachers.
To read the full article, click here
This news brief was summarized for Chiefline, CCSSO's weekly newsletter. Click here to receive Chiefline in your inbox weekly. Newsbrief Copyright 2012 INFORMATION, INC.