(INDIANAPOLIS) – The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced today a further commitment to offering computer sciences opportunities in the classroom by becoming only the third state to implement all nine policies of Code.org’s Advocacy Coalition.
“An education built upon science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is vital for academic success and life beyond high school,” said Dr. Jennifer McCormick, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction. “Today marks a milestone of Indiana’s commitment to STEM education. I am proud of what we have accomplished and look forward to continuing the journey.”
More than a priority in IDOE 2019 legislative agenda, STEM has been a focus of the Department’s mission since 2017. The 2018 passing of Senate Enrolled Act 172 helped further this commitment by mandating all schools have computer science curriculum implemented by 2021. This legislation also ensures Indiana educators are trained in teaching computer science.
Through its partnership with Code.org, IDOE has furthered its commitment to computer science by implementing Code.org’s nine policies. The focus of these policies is to make computer science fundamental to K-12 education. Today marks the attainment of those nine policies, which are:
- Create a state plan for K-12 computer science
- Define computer science and establish rigorous K-12 computer science standards
- Allocate funding for a rigorous computer science teacher professional learning and course support
- Implement clear certification pathways for computer science teachers
- Create programs at institutions of higher education to offer computer science to pre-service teachers
- Establish dedicated computer science positions in state and local education agencies
- Require that all secondary schools offer computer science with appropriate implementation timelines
- Allow computer science to satisfy a core graduation requirement
- Allow computer science to satisfy an admission requirement at institutions of higher education
For more information regarding IDOE’s commitment to computer science, including resources for schools, please visit www.doe.in.gov/wf-stem/computer-science. To learn more about Code.org’s nine policies, please visit https://code.org/files/Making_CS_Fundamental.pdf.
