Forty percent of principals of K-12 schools in the U.S. report having at least one computer science class available in which students can learn computer programming or coding, according to Google and Gallup's studyon computer science education. This is up from 25% a year earlier.

Computer Science Opportunities in Schools

Do the computer science opportunities offered in your school include any of the following elements?

When broader definitions of CS courses are considered, 60% of K-12 principals say their school offers at least one CS course. Seventy-six percent of principals overall and 88% of high school principals say some form of CS learning opportunities is available to their students, whether through classes, school-sponsored clubs or after-school activities.

These findings are from the second year of Google and Gallup's multiyear research effort to better understand perceptions of computer science and access to CS learning opportunities in K-12 schools in the U.S. Google and Gallup surveyed more than 16,000 seventh- to 12^th-grade students; parents of seventh- to 12^th-grade students; and K-12 teachers, principals and superintendents for the second year of this study. Full findings are available in the report Trends in the State of Computer Science in U.S. K-12 Schools.

About Three in 10 Parents and Teachers Request CS Education

Computer science classes are becoming more prevalent in schools. Part of the reason may be that parents and teachers are voicing a demand for these classes at their schools. Twenty-eight percent of parents of seventh- through 12^th-grade students say they have personally expressed support for CS education to a school official, and 30% of teachers have done the same. In addition, a majority of principals (56%) and superintendents (62%) have expressed at least some support for CS to their superiors.

Percentage Expressing Support for CS in School Curriculum

Despite the efforts of those who have expressed support for a computer science education, only one-third or fewer of principals and superintendents agree that CS is a top priority in their school or district. Principals at high schools, private schools and larger schools are more likely to agree that their school board is committed to offering a computer science education.

Lack of Resources a Barrier to Implementing CS Classes

School administrators face barriers to offering computer science in schools. When asked which potential reasons for not offering CS apply to their school, 63% of K-12 principals and 74% of superintendents currently not offering CS in their school or district say they lack teachers with the necessary skills to teach computer science curriculum.

Additionally, 55% of principals and 57% of superintendents say their school does not have enough money to hire or train a CS teacher, and 50% of teachers and 55% of superintendents note that they must devote most of their time to other courses related to testing requirements.

Top Barriers to Offering CS in Schools

Bottom Line

More schools are offering computer science to students than they did a year earlier. A higher percentage of principals now say their school offers CS educational opportunities, especially in key concepts such as coding and programming. Still, schools have plenty of opportunities to enhance their CS education further.

Twenty-eight percent of parents and 30% of teachers already are actively advocating for CS opportunities in school. To continue growing CS offerings in schools, more parents and teachers could urge school officials to bring CS education to the classroom. A majority of principals and superintendents also have voiced support for CS instruction, but they report that a lack of resources -- including qualified teachers and sufficient funding -- is a barrier to providing a computer science education.

While increasing CS offerings in schools can help more students view computer science as a viable career, encouraging student participation in the CS opportunities that are offered and increasing awareness of community-based and online CS learning opportunities could also boost students' exposure to and interest in CS. Many CS learning opportunities are available through private and public organizations. Increasing student and parent awareness of these resources would likely result in more students gaining these critical skills.

From http://www.gallup.com/poll/196511/computer-science-classes-teach-programming-coding.aspx?utm_source=alert&utm_medium=email&utm_content=morelink&utm_campaign=syndication