Computing in the Core Statement on the Release of A Framework for K-12 Science Education

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The release of A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas by the National Research Council represents the next step toward revising the existing scientific ideas and practices with which all U.S. students should be familiar by the end of high school. Coupled with the Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI), which has already defined K-12 standards for mathematics and English language arts, these initiatives are serving as the framework for state education reform within subjects critical for the 21st century. Collectively, these initiatives aim to improve the K- 12 education system and ensure that students are getting the important skills and knowledge they need to be productive and successful. The Computing in the Core Coalition recognizes these important initiatives, and lauds their intent, taken together, however, neither specifically addresses the need to ensure that the critical field of computer science is part of core curriculum.

"No other subject will open as many doors in the 21st century as computer science, so it is disappointing that neither the science framework nor the mathematics core standards make room for computer science in K-12 curriculum," said Computing in the Core Representative Della Cronin. "Computing is transforming our society and it is in states' best interest to ensure that computer science education is part of the core curriculum for students."
The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology's recent report, ‘‘Designing a Digital Future: Federally Funded Research and Development in Networking and Information Technology," agreed with the need for computer science as an essential component of K-12 education stating, "Computer-related courses should aim not just for technological literacy, which includes such utilitarian skills as keyboarding and the use of commercial software packages and the Internet, but for a deeper understanding of the essential concepts, methods and wide-ranging applications of computer science." By 2018, more than 1.5 million high-end computing jobs will be created in the economy, making it one of the fastest growing occupational fields, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

As Achieve works on developing education standards to implement the Framework and states adopt the CCSSI, Computing in the Core and its members will continue their work with education stakeholders at all levels to strengthen K-12 computer science education and ensure its proper place in the K-12 curriculum.

Media Contact: Della Cronin/202.289.3900/della.cronin@computinginthecore.org

About CinC Computing in the Core (CinC) is a non-partisan advocacy coalition of associations, corporations, scientific societies, and other non-profits that strive to elevate computer science education to a core academic subject in K-12 education, giving young people the college- and career-readiness skills necessary in a technology-focused society. CinC encourages awareness building activities, policy changes, and research at national, state, and local levels to build a strong foundation for the future of computer science instruction. It will engage federal and state policy makers, educators, the public, and the media to meet these goals. To find out more about CinC visit http://www.computinginthecore.org.

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