California legislators push computer science education bill

By Kayla Nick-Kearney
edscoop

California legislators are reviewing a bill that would create an advisory board to integrate computer science into education.

The Assembly legislation would create a 23-person panel overseen by the state Superintendent that would deliver recommendations by September 2017 on how to improve computer science education, and establish curriculum standards for grades K-12.

The panel would comprise teachers, administrators and professors across K-12 and higher education, as well as representatives from government, parent associations and student advocacy organizations. The bill is backed by Microsoft and Code.org.

“We’ve been working on trying to develop a coordinated strategy so that California could respond to the increasing needs of industry,” Julie Flapan, executive director of the Alliance for California Computing Education for Students and Schools, told EdScoop. “But, also, we wanted to make this vocational knowledge of computer science available to all kids so that they’re well prepared for their careers, and college, and civic participation.”

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