Indiana approves funding to prepare more computer science teachers
In March 2018, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed a bill (that the legislature passed overwhelmingly) that would ensure every school in the state offers a computer science course by the 2021 school year.
But requiring all schools to offer computer science is only one piece of the puzzle. The bill Gov. Holcomb signed would also fund professional learning for teachers. And on Tuesday, the Indiana Department of Education has made the first steps toward funding computer science.
With $670,000 allocated, over 400 teachers in Indiana will learn to bring computer science to their classrooms, helping schools across the state address the challenges of implementing a new course in their schools.
Indiana is on their way to being a leader in computer science education. On top of this recent legislation, the state has given approval for computer science courses to count as graduation requirements as well as for university and college admissions.
With this new funding in place, more students than ever will get the opportunity to learn computer science. Technology has become an integral part of our lives and economy, and all students deserve to learn the foundational skills of computing. No matter a student’s future path, we need to make sure they have the tools they need for success in the 21st-century.
