The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) recently shared a new report that credits Indiana as a national leader in computer science education.
According to the IDOE, the 2019 report created by Code.org, the Computer Science Teachers Association and the Expanding Computing Education Pathways Alliance, lays out several examples of Indiana’s commitment to computer science education. These include changes in our teacher certification requirements, the alignment of K-8 computer science standards to our high school standards, and the allocation of $3 million per year for computer science professional development, that was included in the state budget.
The state has also funded training for more than 1,000 K-12 educators in computer science since 2018, while continuing to expand professional development opportunities.
Over the last few years, the General assembly has passed several measures to improve education opportunities. This includes Senate Enrolled Act 172, which requires each K-12 school in Indiana to offer a computer science class to its students by 2021.
SEA 172, passed in 2018, also establishes Indiana’s Next Level Computer Science Grant Program and the Next Level Computer Science Fund, which awards grants to help implement professional development programs for training teachers in computer science.
In addition, our state’s business portfolio has recently seen growth in tech companies with more than 1,600 new technology jobs emerging in 2018 alone. Making sure our schools have a strong computer science curriculum in place will benefit our students as they enter the workforce down the road.
Computer science is essential to a student’s education in our ever-changing world, preparing them for their future, no matter what field of work they choose to pursue.
I’m glad to see Indiana’s schools recognized for their commitment to computer science education and look forward to the continued success of our schools and Hoosier students.
As always, feel free to contact my office directly with your questions and concerns by email at Senator.Messmer@iga.in.gov or by phone at 800-382-9467.
