Governor Murphy Unveils Computer Science for All State Plan
for Ramapo News
Governor Phil Murphy announced the Computer Science for All State Plan today which includes $2 million in state grants for the spring of 2020 in order to help schools establish advanced, high-quality computer science programs.
The Computer Science for All State Plan is created for the statewide growth of computer science programs. The plan will be assisting funding in these high-level programs alongside the technology necessary.
The plan was supported and approved by Governor Murphy as he states the importance of obtaining knowledge of computer science and technological skills: “Students must be given the opportunity to learn and master these foundational skills.”
The plan, according to Murphy, will “help provide our students with the critical thinking skills they need to succeed.”
In this plan, there are five crucial points that will be implemented:
“Adopt Standards” = Create diligent computer science coursework for all grades, K-12, to provide a framework for impartial access to a highly rigorous computer science program.
“Implement Professional Learning” = Provide adjustable and achievable for willing educators and educator preparation providers.
“Strengthen the Teacher Pipeline” = Endorse those willing to participate as computer science educators in order to increase the number of teachers.
“Build Capacity, Partnerships, and Awareness” = Promote the state plan by conversing with families, educators, higher education, school boards, and other community shareholders.
“Establish a Data-Driven Decision-Making Approach” = Establish data for each of the goals to evaluate progress and flaws.
Alongside the plan, Governor Murphy announced three “Expanding Access to Computer Science” grant opportunities for $2 million in computer science funding.
Professional learning computer science grants will include $265,000 for school district educators to be provided with high-quality computer science training as well as offering flexible programs including in-person, digital, or blended professional learning opportunities.
$205,000 will be provided for the development of curricula to support CTE pathways. The plan is to create two model curricula programs of study: one in programming and another in cybersecurity to assist secondary school along the right pathway to success within their programs.
Finally, at least 15 awards of $66,500 each will be awarded to comprehensive high schools to ensure that students and teachers are prepared for challenging coursework that may be college level material in hopes for classes to implement college credit options.
“We believe that all students should have the opportunity to study computer science because it helps teach computational thinking skills that are valuable in nearly all career fields,” said Daryl Detrick, Warren Hills Regional High School computer science teacher. “This plan and funding are huge steps toward helping us reach those goals.”
The reasoning behind creating more computer science programs is for employment rates to rise. There are 500,000 computing jobs remain unfilled in the United States, and this number can decrease when more efficient programs are developed.
“Our mission is clear: We are committed to providing equitable access to a high-quality computer science education for all students,” said Dr. Lamont O. Repollet, Commissioner of Education. “Through our state plan, we are making a statement that we want New Jersey to be a leader in equipping students with high-level computer science and technology skills.”
