Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google


Iowa Adds Computer Science to K-12 Curriculum

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 05/17/17

A new law passed in Iowa requires the state's Department of Education to establish standards in computer science for K-12 and a credential for teachers who teach CS. The hope is that by July 2019, every high school will offer "at least one high-quality" CS course, that each middle school will deliver instruction in exploratory CS and that each elementary school will cover the basics of CS.

The classroom standards won't be mandated; participation is voluntary. But they will come with "incentives" to increase the number of CS offerings at all grade levels in the form of a "professional development incentive fund," from which districts and teachers can receive reimbursement. Governor Terry Branstad recommended $500,000 in his 2019 general fund budget for the PD fund, making the fund available beginning in July 2018.

In the meantime, a work group is expected to hammer out recommendations for the CS guidelines and potential policies by Nov. 1, 2017.

"Ensuring all Iowa students develop foundational skills in computer science will prepare them for a changing world and position them to take advantage of opportunities in a growing professional sector," said Ryan Wise, director of the Department of Ed in a prepared statement.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Man offers stem word sign on virtual screen

    Immersive Workforce Development Initiative Connects Students with Real-World STEM Careers

    The Center of Science and Industry, a science museum and research center in Central Ohio, has launched The HIVE, a workforce development initiative designed to help students across the country explore real-world career pathways in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, engineering, and emerging technologies.

  • digital lock

    CoSN: Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Remain Top AI Concerns in Education

    A leading concern for education technology leaders across the United States is the potential for AI to enable new forms of cyber attacks, according to the latest State of Ed Tech report from CoSN.

  • broken digital lock and glowing chain

    Check Point Researchers: AI Has Crossed into the Live Attack Chain

    AI is moving beyond assisting cybercriminals and beginning to operate within live attacks, according to a recent report from Check Point Research. The technology is making sophisticated capabilities faster and more accessible while creating new security risks for businesses deploying their own AI systems.

  • circuit patterns

    Anthropic Intros Lower-Cost Claude Sonnet 5

    Anthropic has launched Claude Sonnet 5, positioning the model as its most autonomous mid-tier offering to date and a lower-cost alternative to its flagship Opus 4.8 system. The company said the model can plan multi-step tasks, operate tools such as browsers and terminals, and complete agentic work at a level that previously required larger and more expensive models.