.
Exemplifying computer science’s relevance, individuals with this degree enjoy the seventh highest starting salary of all majors with initial wages of $52,237 per year. This endowment boasts significantly higher than the average base income of all college degrees with the average subsiding as $39,045. Further highlighting technology’s influence, computer engineering and computer programming join computer science in the top ten starting salary positions based on major. As such, computer-related fields prove significant and worth researching.
Aiming to reduce educational barriers, Google partnered with Gallup to research interest in and exposure to computer science in U.S. schools. Their report, Searching for Computer Science: Access and Barriers in U.S. K-12 Education, explores computer science courses in U.S. schools. This information enables policymakers, employers, and educators to adequately instruct students in computer science.
Results emerged via telephone and web surveys completed by students enrolled in seventh through twelfth grade and parents with at least one student in this grade-range. Grade one through grade 12 teachers; principals of elementary, middle, and high schools; and school district superintendents also contributed to the report’s findings. Each participant category amassed more than 1,000 responses.
Notably, the report addresses society’s high demand for computer science industries and education while noting the availability of technology that supports computer science in students’ homes. The study details inadequate computer science education. Beyond courses foregoing crucial information, complete lack of computer science education proves prominent, especially for low-income and non-White students.
Exuding interest in computer science courses, most teachers, parents, principals, and superintendents rank computer science as equally important as required courses, such as English, math, and science. Ninety-one percent of parents responded in support of computer science courses in their child’s school. However, less than 10 percent of educators in leadership positions understand computer science’s high-value to parents. Seemingly, educators overlook parents’ high-demand for computer science education.
The vast majority of students, regardless of race, enjoy access to internet-enabled computers and cell phones or tablets at home. As such, supplemental computer science materials prove abundant. Despite material availability, approximately 25 percent of students in grade seven through grade 12 report that their schools lack computer science classes. Notably, Black students experience limited access to these classes at higher rates than both Hispanic and White students.
Further highlighting insufficient computer science education, 75 percent of principals reported that their schools lack any opportunities to learn computer programming or coding. With these opportunities serving as essential elements of computer science, this reveals deficiencies in available courses. Additionally, 64 percent of principals reported that their schools lack AP computer science classes. Revealing discrepancies, most students enjoy access to computers or similar devices with internet access but apparently lack education supplementing their technology. With most U.S. schools failing to adequately prepare students for future careers and higher education in computer science, students lack preparation for futures in information technology despite possessing the available resources.
Interestingly, lower-income households value computer science education more than higher-income homes. However, students from low-income households attend schools with less computer science opportunities, according to survey responses. This reveals a disparity between supply and demand.
Heightened exposure to computer science increases confidence in math, science, reading, and writing. Equipped with this knowledge and their report, Google outlined several recommendations aiming to heighten computer science education. These tips include educating teachers about computer science, broadening access to this field of study, and encouraging policymakers to support computer science in schools.
The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.
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Google and Gallup Address Computer Science Education in the U.S.
Engineer using digital tablet in front of jet engine in aircraft maintenance factory
October 8, 2015
Exemplifying computer science’s relevance, individuals with this degree enjoy the seventh highest starting salary of all majors with initial wages of $52,237 per year. This endowment boasts significantly higher than the average base income of all college degrees with the average subsiding as $39,045. Further highlighting technology’s influence, computer engineering and computer programming join computer science in the top ten starting salary positions based on major. As such, computer-related fields prove significant and worth researching.
Aiming to reduce educational barriers, Google partnered with Gallup to research interest in and exposure to computer science in U.S. schools. Their report, Searching for Computer Science: Access and Barriers in U.S. K-12 Education, explores computer science courses in U.S. schools. This information enables policymakers, employers, and educators to adequately instruct students in computer science.
Results emerged via telephone and web surveys completed by students enrolled in seventh through twelfth grade and parents with at least one student in this grade-range. Grade one through grade 12 teachers; principals of elementary, middle, and high schools; and school district superintendents also contributed to the report’s findings. Each participant category amassed more than 1,000 responses.
Notably, the report addresses society’s high demand for computer science industries and education while noting the availability of technology that supports computer science in students’ homes. The study details inadequate computer science education. Beyond courses foregoing crucial information, complete lack of computer science education proves prominent, especially for low-income and non-White students.
Exuding interest in computer science courses, most teachers, parents, principals, and superintendents rank computer science as equally important as required courses, such as English, math, and science. Ninety-one percent of parents responded in support of computer science courses in their child’s school. However, less than 10 percent of educators in leadership positions understand computer science’s high-value to parents. Seemingly, educators overlook parents’ high-demand for computer science education.
The vast majority of students, regardless of race, enjoy access to internet-enabled computers and cell phones or tablets at home. As such, supplemental computer science materials prove abundant. Despite material availability, approximately 25 percent of students in grade seven through grade 12 report that their schools lack computer science classes. Notably, Black students experience limited access to these classes at higher rates than both Hispanic and White students.
Further highlighting insufficient computer science education, 75 percent of principals reported that their schools lack any opportunities to learn computer programming or coding. With these opportunities serving as essential elements of computer science, this reveals deficiencies in available courses. Additionally, 64 percent of principals reported that their schools lack AP computer science classes. Revealing discrepancies, most students enjoy access to computers or similar devices with internet access but apparently lack education supplementing their technology. With most U.S. schools failing to adequately prepare students for future careers and higher education in computer science, students lack preparation for futures in information technology despite possessing the available resources.
Interestingly, lower-income households value computer science education more than higher-income homes. However, students from low-income households attend schools with less computer science opportunities, according to survey responses. This reveals a disparity between supply and demand.
Heightened exposure to computer science increases confidence in math, science, reading, and writing. Equipped with this knowledge and their report, Google outlined several recommendations aiming to heighten computer science education. These tips include educating teachers about computer science, broadening access to this field of study, and encouraging policymakers to support computer science in schools.
The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.
