Steps to improve computer science.

The New Educational Imperative." Improving High School Computer Science Education, recently released from the Computer Science Teachers Association, found what many people already suspect: Countries that once looked to the U.S. for help in planning new and innovative curricula are now taking the lead in computer science education. Here are five of the 10 ways school leaders can help our country regain our reputation and improve high school computer science education.

1. Promote funding for computer science courses, equipment and materials.

2. Identify how much is being spent on computer science education in your district and determine if there have been cutbacks on computer science education.

3. Put policies in place to ensure that only qualified teachers are teaching computer science courses and enforce those policies.

4. Review your current computer science curriculum to determine whether it provides sufficient opportunities for students to gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in an increasingly computerized world.

5. Create and support professional development opportunities that help computer science teachers ensure that their technical and pedagogical skills keep pace with student learning needs.

csta.acm.org/Publications/ CSTA-WhitePaperNC.pdf