Push to establish CS as a core K–12 subject. Use your collective voice as industry leaders to join with, champion, and financially support the states and school districts that are seeking to improve K–12 provision of CS education. Advocate for increased funding for public education generally, and push states and the federal government to reduce wider educational inequities.
Advocate for computer science to be required in all schools
HIGH LEVERAGE POINTS
CHANGE AGENTS
IN SUMMARY
8.1
Partner with the Expanding Computing Education Pathways (ECEP) Alliance to initiate and support state and district-based policy reform to improve CS education.
8.2
Encourage increased local, state, and federal investment in CS educational policies and well-prepared teachers.
8.3
Leverage site selection for business expansion to drive investment in K–12 CS funding.
MORE INFO
ECEP: EXPANDING COMPUTING EDUCATION PATHWAYS ALLIANCE
ECEP is a 23-state alliance sharing best practices to increase the number and diversity of students in the CS talent pipeline through state-level educational reforms. Only 47% of high schools in the U.S. offer a CS course, and only a small subset requires CS for graduation.
In other words, most high school students in the U.S. never have to learn computer science—an egregious omission in the 21st century. ECEP supports states and districts in establishing policies to make CS courses fundamental to K-12 education.
To date, ECEP claims several successes, such as:
- 18 states have a plan for K–12 CS education.
- 29 states fund professional development for CS teachers, though most recently cut funding because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 20 states established a requirement for all high schools to offer CS, and 48 states allow CS to meet a high school graduation requirement. But only two states, Nevada and South Carolina, require CS for graduation.
Want to know how the states where your company operates are doing? Read the 2020 ECEP report.1
Most high school students in the U.S. never have to learn computer science—an egregious omission in the 21st century. ECEP supports states and districts in establishing policies to make CS courses fundamental to K-12 education.
READ MORE