Back to School: Why More Schools Are Adding Computer Science this Year

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. We begin to experience crisp, cool air in the mornings and evenings, and football is just around the corner! Also at this time of year, millions of students and teachers are returning to school across the country. In some regions, schools have already started earlier in the month, while in other areas school will start after Labor Day.

My son is a high school math teacher and, like so many others, is hard at work preparing for the new school year. He is looking forward to renewing relationships with students he has already taught, and getting to know many new students. Students are, hopefully, re-energized by the summer, and ready to embrace new adventures, new learning, and making new friends.

There’s one exciting development that we will see across the country this fall. Increasingly, more and more students of all grade levels are being exposed to computer science. This can take the form of computer fundamentals in the earliest grades, to coding basics in languages such as Python and Javascript in middle school, leading up to Advanced Placement CS courses, and the opportunity to earn technical certifications in high school. This is a component of an accelerating trend around the nation, as computer science is increasingly being seen as a critical subject area for all students.

The last few years have seen an increasing level of activity as it relates to computer science being incorporated into our K-12 education system. As of 2022, 41 states had adopted K-12 computer science standards, up from just seven states five years previously. Surveys have shown that a majority of educators believe that teaching computer science is just as important as teaching the core subjects such as math, reading, science and social studies.

Computer science is recognized as containing a critical set of skills which will be necessary for students’ success in their futures in school and later in their careers.  And computer science is not just relevant for those hoping to pursue technical careers. Health care, education, business, construction and many other career areas now require technical skills; in fact 80% of the jobs in the U.S. require some form of technical ability.

Increasingly, schools are moving computer science out of the after-school clubs and the elective catalog.  We are pleased to see these schools making foundational CS education available to all students. This is an equity issue to provide all students with the opportunity to learn these critical skills and concepts.

At Learning.com, we are proud to have spent over 20 years working with schools, districts and states around the country to provide digital skills and computer science programs for their students. Please join us in welcoming all students back to school this fall, and thanking educators for their tireless efforts on behalf of those students.

Click here to see recommended computer skills by grade band.