NYC Wants All Its Public Schools Teaching Computer Science

The present generation is well advised to study computer science as a preparation for their future career prospects, and some school districts are adjusting their curriculums to include the area of study. Back in early 2013, New York City's former mayor Bloomberg announced the state's Software Engineering Pilot program would be launched in 20 public schools. Now the city is taking that a step further, with the next decade bringing a big change.

Current Mayor Bill de Blasio will be announcing that within the next decade, all public schools within NYC will need to offer computer science courses. The timeline is a long one due to some of the difficulties it presents — for one thing, the city will need to source and hire teachers certified to teach computer science.

Middle schools and high schools within the city will have the option to offer computer science classes as an elective, and it won't be a requirement to graduate high school. The courses will be available at an elementary school level, as well. These won't necessarily be high-level classes, with the goal being to expose kids to area of study.

This initiative will cost NYC $81 million over the next decade. It is estimated that about 5,000 computer science teachers will be needed. One issue with finding adequate numbers of computer science instructors it that those with the knowledge to teach the subject often have job opportunities that pay far more than a teacher makes.

SOURCE: New York Times