The 2014 KY legislative session brought forth some interesting conversations and debates on adding computer science and coding as a Foreign Language (graduation requirement). Meeting a graduation requirement is only the beginning… But when you add passion, fun, challenge, problem or project-based learning, etc. – then you have an equation for some impactful learning experiences. I wrote about that legislative push here.
UPDATE: So computer science didn’t make it as a foreign language… however, a press release hit the streets yesterday emphasizing Kentucky’s “progressive stance on making computer science count.” Computer science courses can count as a 4th Mathematics course or an elective science course:
…based on course standards and the teacher of record, a computer science course can qualify as a 4th mathematics course or an elective science course if it involves computational thinking, problem solving, computer programming, and a significant emphasis on the science and engineering practices from the Kentucky Core Academic Standards.
…While not a new policy, KDE’s stand on computer science is being noted as one of many efforts to expand awareness and access to computer science as a way to promote 21st century skills.
The press release can be found here. It highlights the efforts and recognition from Code.org . Just to be clear, Kentucky’s minimum requirement for graduation is set at only 3 credits of Mathematics (Algebra I, Algebra II, & Geometry). However, mathematics shall be taken all 4 years of high school. Also cool to note, a school site base council (SBDM) holds the right to require more than 3 credits of mathematics to graduate – which some schools choose to exercise.