Nearly 20,000 Sign Petition Calling on California Colleges to Recognize H.S. Computer Science Credits
President Obama recently unveiled the Computer Science for All initiative, a $4 billion project aimed at enhancing teacher training and bringing computer science education to schools across the United States. This initiative is supported by major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Code.org, who are investing in the computer science sector. The goal is to make computer science accessible to students of all backgrounds, regardless of their school’s size or socioeconomic status.
Advocates of this initiative hope that it will encourage the 21 states that have not yet provided high school graduation credit for computer science courses to do so. Additionally, they aim to influence the debate in the 29 states where computer science classes are not officially recognized for credit at nearby public universities, even though they count towards a high school diploma.
California is one such state where computer science classes do not count towards high school graduation credit, despite efforts by the governor and legislature to change this. The University of California Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools (BOARS) has not yet recognized computer science as a credit-worthy subject. As a result, computer science classes in the state are considered electives and do not fulfill core math or science admissions requirements for the University of California or California State University systems.
This issue is especially problematic in areas like the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), where a significant percentage of students qualify for Free or Reduced-Priced Lunch. A report published by Gallup and Google in August 2015 highlighted the lack of access to computer science education for low-income students, particularly when it is treated as an elective course. This means that even in proximity to the thriving Silicon Valley economy, high school students in areas like OUSD are discouraged from pursuing computer science due to time constraints.
Claire Shorall, an OUSD teacher and the manager of the district’s computer science program, was dissatisfied with this situation. In collaboration with Code.org, a non-profit organization promoting computer science education, she launched a petition on Change.org in December 2015. The petition calls for BOARS to acknowledge computer science as a qualifying subject for admissions to the University of California system. Currently, computer science is categorized as an elective, while it should be considered a core math requirement. Shorall argues that reclassifying computer science would incentivize schools, especially those with limited resources, to offer computer science courses.
Shorall emphasized that this issue is a matter of equity and expanding the participation in computer science education. Code.org has found that exposure to computer science in high school significantly increases the likelihood of women, African-American, and Latino students majoring in the field in college. Over 17,000 people have already signed the California petition, gaining attention from the tech sector in Silicon Valley. California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom voiced his support for the cause, urging BOARS to reconsider the categorization of computer science.
Various influential figures in the tech industry, such as Reid Hoffman, Max Levchin, and Ron Conway, have also taken to social media to endorse the petition and promote the importance of computer science education in California.
In summary, the Computer Science for All initiative strives to expand computer science education across the United States. However, there is a need for change, particularly in California, where computer science classes are not recognized as credit-worthy subjects. Efforts are being made to reclassify computer science and encourage schools to offer these courses to a wider range of students. The support of influential tech industry leaders and the engagement of the public through platforms like Change.org are crucial in addressing this issue and ensuring that computer science counts in California.
"We strongly disagree with the idea that a coding course could serve as a substitute for algebra or geometry," he expressed in an interview with .
He acknowledged that many computer science classes are categorized as "C" courses because they heavily rely on mathematical foundations. However, he pointed out that the courses in the "G" category lack the necessary basic math skills required for progression.
Although there is support for the petition, there is currently no indication that BOARS will alter its policies. Nevertheless, Aldredge mentioned that BOARS is actively exploring opportunities to incorporate computer science in new ways.
With the implementation of Obama’s Computer Science for All initiative, which aims to broaden access to the curriculum across the state, Shorall anticipates that BOARS will face increased pressure to acknowledge computer science as a discipline. She stated, "Given its prominence, I believe there will be greater scrutiny on states with policies that hinder widespread adoption. Computer science is essential. By establishing pathways in computer science for college and careers, students would graduate with introductory skills in computer and software development."
Entry-level salaries in the technology industry often surpass what is typically available for individuals with just a high-school diploma. Consequently, Shorall asserts that these skills would be transformative for students in Oakland’s public education system.
