Funding boosts computer science learning

LAYING THE GROUNDWORK: In March, shortly after launching a computer science initiative, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo spoke to students enrolled in a Google-supported class at Edward R. Martin Middle School in East Providence. / COURTESY  OFFICE OF  GOV. GINA M. RAIMONDO
LAYING THE GROUNDWORK: In March, shortly after launching a computer science initiative, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo spoke to students enrolled in a Google-supported class at Edward R. Martin Middle School in East Providence. / COURTESY OFFICE OF GOV. GINA M. RAIMONDO

In 2015, a total of 42 Rhode Island students took the Advanced Placement exam in computer science. Of that pool, only 26 achieved a score high enough to qualify for college credit.

The same year, fewer than 1 percent of Rhode Island public school students were enrolled in a computer science or closely related course.

The small numbers of students prepared, or preparing, for future study of computer science is at odds with the marketplace. Jobs that require computer science skills, in the form of software development, engineering or information technology-related positions, are going unfilled.

For all these reasons, Rhode Island is making a statewide push to encourage computer science instruction.

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Using professional-development grants provided under the fiscal 2017 state budget, schools that want to start offering computer science – but previously were not able to afford it – are opening the field to students.

Gov. Gina M. Raimondo included $260,000 in her fiscal 2017 budget proposal for the computer science initiative, which was endorsed by the General Assembly.

“It’s a recognition that computer skills have become an essential skill in today’s economy,” she said in a recent interview. “There are just many, many more jobs than there have ever been for people that have computer science skills.”

Up until now, the statewide participation has been limited. And urban schools are much less likely to offer the subject than suburban districts or private schools, according to the governor. The result is a lot of students are getting left behind.

“They’re not really getting exposed to computer science at all,” Raimondo said.

The decision to allow schools to choose whether to participate and to offer a variety of different options for the instruction by grade level – rather than a compulsory requirement – means the state can expect to see a mix of results across districts.

Computer science is now a requirement for high school graduation in several of the nation’s largest urban districts, notably Chicago and Los Angeles.

Raimondo said she didn’t want to make it a mandate. But many schools, including those in urban districts, are stepping forward to participate, she said. A comprehensive list of new schools offering computer science is not yet available, but a map on the state’s computer science initiative website, at www.cs4ri.org, indicates that more than 30 schools are planning to participate.

They range from rural elementary schools to city high schools, including William Tolman High School in Pawtucket. Tiverton High School this fall will offer Introduction to Computer Programming, while Coventry and Woonsocket high schools will offer the subject for the first time, according to the map.

At the K-6 level, the subject is taught in four courses, in one-hour lessons, woven into the curriculum throughout the year.

Middle schools have three options. They include a 20-hour module for eighth-graders, taught as part of an algebra course, or a course for grades six through eight called Introduction to Computer Science, which has students learning the basics of programming with Python.

Four options are available for Rhode Island high schools. They include courses that are taught in collaboration with the University of Rhode Island, and others that involve volunteers from industry partners coming into the schools to help teach classes. Corporations that have pledged to help with this task include Amica, Lifespan and FM Global.

The early adopters have been enthusiastic, according to Richard Culatta, the state’s new chief innovation officer, appointed by Raimondo in February. The initiative is one of the first to come through his office.

By one measure – AP courses made available to high school students – the initiative has already resulted in increased numbers.

The state will have 22 new AP programs beginning in 2016-17, according to the governor’s office, in either AP Computer Science A, the standard introduction to Java programming, or AP Computer Science Principles, a new AP course that emphasizes fundamentals of computing, including problem-solving, large-scale data and cybersecurity.

“One of the things that we’re excited about is there are a bunch of schools in the fall that are going to be offering the AP computer science,” Culatta said. “Those students, when done, will take the test.”

In all of the options, kindergarten through 12th grade, no prior experience teaching computer science is required for teachers.

The reality of computer science instruction, according to Culatta, is that not enough teachers have experience with it to make that a requirement for teaching.

Professional development, in varying formats, is available depending on which class and what grade level is being taught. The most intensive includes the high school classes, which have a week of professional training. The TEALS program, an option for high school provided through Microsoft, requires teachers to take an online course over the summer.

“We have allowed, or become complacent, about making sure we’re building up that bench strength among our teachers,” he said. “This is really key. We want to build that bench strength in Rhode Island. Every program that we are offering [has] teachers at the center of the classroom.” •

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