The 2024 State of Computer Science Education report shows Kentucky continues to make progress in bringing computer science opportunities to students and ensuring all students have the chance to participate in these courses, according to the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE).
This annual report, released by Code.org, the Computer Science Teachers Association and the Expanding Computing Education Pathways Alliance, offers a deep dive into the state of computer science education nationwide, providing a detailed analysis of policy developments, implementation and student access at national and state levels, focusing on ensuring equitable access for all students.
The KDE Office of Education Technology's Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT) Academy program has been instrumental in the state's computer science education progress. This program eliminates financial barriers by fully funding student certification opportunities and assisting partners in providing professional development for teachers.
Through this initiative:
--Teachers can earn computer science teaching credentials.
--Students can obtain industry certifications free of charge.
--Districts can offer Advanced Placement computer science exams without budget impact.
--Schools can showcase student achievement in computer science.
"We are proud of the progress Kentucky has made in computer science education," said Sean Jackson, CS and IT Academy program manager and K-12 computer science lead at KDE. "Equipping our students with a strong computer sciences foundation is crucial for their future success and the continued growth of our state's technology and innovation sectors."
Jackson noted these achievements wouldn’t be possible without the commitment of Kentucky's teachers, students, school administrators, parents and advocates, as well as support from policymakers.
Looking at national data to compare where Kentucky stands:
--60 percent of U.S. public high schools offer foundational computer science courses. In Kentucky, it’s 76 percent.
--Four percent of U.S. high school students enroll in computer science. In Kentucky, 11.5 percent of students are taking these courses, putting Kentucky sixth nationally in participation by student population.
"These data points showcase the strides made across the country and highlight how Kentucky educators and education partners continue to expand students' access to these courses," said David Couch, associate commissioner and K-12 chief information officer at KDE. "Ensuring every student can develop these critical skills empowers the next generation to succeed in an increasingly tech-driven world."
