In 2019, I, along with CLHS students Hayley Grisez and Katie McKay, met with District 84 Representative Bob Morris and introduced the “Make Computer Science Count” initiative. The issue discussed was why the highest paying and fastest growing job industry in the country was not required education in Indiana high schools.
In 2024, pursuant to House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1243, beginning with the 2029 cohort (hello 2025 freshmen), students must successfully complete a computer science course to meet Indiana high school graduation requirements. I will not harp on how overdue this standard is but rejoice the fact that it is now here and how beneficial this is to the students of Indiana.
I get it. When one thinks of computer science, they think programming and figure if you are not going to program things, you should not take a computer science class. That is like saying science is dissecting a frog and if you don’t plan on dissecting things, you shouldn’t take a science class. Computer science is so much more than just typing code and if high school is about exploration, ensuring students have the opportunity to be exposed to the technology field is a step that should have been taken back in the 80’s.
Knowing we do not live in Bedrock, the benefits of high school computer science instruction should be evident to most but in case a few of those advantages are lost on you, some highlights include:
- Indiana is now taking action to support their claim that they place "priorities for STEM Education with a focus on STEM pedagogy that is critical for students"
- Extending the opportunity to computer science education beyond those who actively seek exposure to it
- Inclusive introduction to a high paying career field that will only continue to grow
- Giving every student an opportunity to discover a field of study they might have otherwise missed
- High school education that prepares our kids for the jobs of the future, nay, the now
- Including technology as part of a well-rounded education
- Offering a course that exemplifies creativity, collaboration, logic and problem-solving
- The discovery, development and preparation of young talent in an applicable and real-world career field
- The satisfaction in knowing that Computer Science can independently sit alongside English, Art, Math, Physical Education, and Foreign Language as meaningful required coursework
The most exciting benefit of this major step forward in Indiana high school education is exclusive to Concordia. The introductory computer science course we have been offering for over a decade meets state requirements and is offered as dual-credit so qualifying students can take our state mandated computer science course and receive Purdue college credit for doing so! Moreover, your student can grow in our computer science program taking additional courses such as video game design, web design, and programming for those who want expand their computer science education.