CS4IA

CS Education at Every Grade Level

There are organizations that are lobbying for computer science to be required for graduation. Though not completely opposed to this idea, CS4IA believes that laying a strong foundation for computer science in the early grades and continuing as they grow is more impactful for students.

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A study by the American Institute of Research showed that children make up their minds about careers and subject matter as early as six years old, determining that boys are better at computer science and engineering than girls.  This study reinforces the importance of exposing children to computer science at an early age. 

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Systemic and consistent computer science education at every grade level is the only way to ensure that students are prepared for the rapidly changing technology in our society. The current legislation in Iowa requires computer science instruction in "at least one grade level" K-6 and 7-8.  This does not guarantee that every child experiences computer science education and only two years of instruction K-8 does not allow enough exposure to provide students with the foundational learning in the five main Concepts of the CSTA K-12 Standards that were adopted by the state of Iowa. Those main concepts include: Computing Systems, Networks and the Internet, Data and Analysis, Algorithms and Programming, and the Impacts of Computing