K-12 Computer Education Deficiencies in Nevada

摘要

A study done in 2009 found that pre-Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science (CS) classes for high school students are declining. This, along with the decreased enrollment in Computer related studies at a collegiate level, paint a grim picture for the future of the computer education in the US. Indicated contributors to this decline include inadequate teaching resources and expertise, as well as the perceived outsourcing and societal implications associated with computer related career choices. In an attempt to overcome these obstacles, organizations like the National Science Foundation (NSF) have funded programs targeted at developing primary and secondary computer education courses. The current research is a study that analyzes Nevada's primary and secondary education needs, discusses the issues related to computer education, and evaluates several NSF funded programs. Proposed are preliminary steps that need to be taken by the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) to help correct the direction of computer education in Nevada.