Thank you so much for testifying on this issue. Although my testimony is somewhat different, the more people we have speaking out on this issue - especially spoken as you did - on all sides, the better.
Original Message:
Sent: 02-05-2024 13:20
From: Jennifer Boutell
Subject: SB 5849 (2023-24) Concerning a computer science competency graduation requirement.
It was discussed in the hearing on the 3rd. OSPI testified much as you did. I testified Pro (as myself), we were the only people to testify. I appreciate that it is going to cost some money and need to clear some logistical hurdles, but I don't think we can keep waiting. With budget cuts looming programs are being slashed as we speak. Here is what I said:
Thank you madame Chair and the members of the committee for the opportunity to speak in favor of this important legislation. My name is Jennifer Boutell, and I teach computer science.
Diversity in the technology workforce is not improving.
As a middle school computer science teacher in Tacoma, I see first hand the stark inequities that lead to this flattened trend. Although we are just 40 miles from Redmond, most of the 140 7th graders that I teach at my Title 1 school have never met anyone who works in the technology industry. They do not see themselves as future software engineers, and they are not shy in telling me so. Fortunately, they have this weird lady who keeps insisting they give coding a try. There is nothing more rewarding than watching them debug a complicated problem and realize they can do this. Unfortunately, many of our youth outside of the East Side of Puget Sound will never have this experience. In my district, although we are the third largest in the state we offer only 11 computer science courses across our high school system, less than some of our much smaller neighbors. In the absence of a graduation requirement, Computer Science programs will continue to take a back seat when school district budget priorities are set. In the age of AI, drones, and robotic manufacturing we can't afford to continue this way.
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Jennifer Boutell k12teacher
Tacoma WA
Original Message:
Sent: 02-05-2024 11:19
From: Lawrence Tanimoto
Subject: SB 5849 (2023-24) Concerning a computer science competency graduation requirement.
A public hearing on SB 5849 within the Senate Ways and Means Committee was scheduled for Feb 3 at 9:00 AM. Committee Schedules, Agendas, and Documents (wa.gov)
The written testimony that I submitted on behalf of PSCSTA is below:
Washington needs a Computer Science (CS) graduation requirement. We will be doing our students a great disservice if we fail to teach them the foundational computer science knowledge necessary to survive in the 21st century. However, we have concerns about this specific proposal. It needs to be supported by a credible plan and budget to deliver its expected benefits while avoiding unintended negative consequences.
Currently, the percentage of students enrolled in CS courses and the number of qualified CS teachers are too low to initiate a CS graduation requirement. Washington state infrastructure for CS education is insufficient to support the rapid growth in demand for CS education that would accompany a CS graduation requirement.
Washington does not have a plan to address these issues, which must be resolved before we can initiate a CS graduation requirement. OSPI published the Washington State Computer Science Education Strategic Plan in early 2022. However, while it is a source of possible ideas, it does not directly help schools and students meet a CS graduation requirement and estimate the cost of doing so. Neither does SB 5849 specify a credible plan and budget for the Washington education community to develop a credible plan and budget to help schools and students meet a CS graduation requirement.
The lack of a credible plan and budget severely limited the impact of SB 5088 (2019-20). Since 2019-2020, the percentage of Washington high schools offering computer science has decreased from 49% to 48%. In contrast, the national percentage of HS offering CS increased from 47% in 2019-2020 to 57.5% in 2022-23.
The lack of a credible plan and budget resulted in most school districts teaching CS as a CTE course for financial purposes. Over 97% of our HS CS enrollments are CTE. However, teaching CS as CTE significantly distorts who takes CS, who teaches CS, and significantly influences the contents of CS courses.
Our funding for CS education is flawed. Outside of Perkins funding for CTE, current grants are FP656 for AP Computer Science, which will not reach a great majority of students. FP777, which helps school districts develop and implement formal plans for CS education, has been limited to a fraction of school districts with the knowledge and resources to apply for such a grant. For a CS graduation requirement to deliver its expected benefits, equity demands that we reach all students and all schools.
Although we believe a CS competency graduation requirement is critical for our student's future, we urge caution in proceeding with SB 5849. SB5849 essentially requires that by the 2025-26 school year - when the Class of 2029 starts high school - all schools in Washington have the infrastructure in place to help all students meet this requirement. Washington's current CS education infrastructure is not ready for SB 5849, which transforms CS from a CTE subject taken by a fraction of students to a "core" competency that all must learn. SB 5849 must be supported by a credible plan and budget, or the resulting confusion will disrupt schools and students' lives without providing students with the necessary foundational computer science knowledge SB 5849 promises.
It is unclear whether this bill was discussed at this public hearing - perhaps there was only written testimony. Executive action on the bill is scheduled for Feb 5.
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Lawrence Tanimoto
Treasurer/Advocacy Lead, CSTA Puget Sound (WA)
Bellevue, WA
K-12 Teacher CTE (retired)
Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2024 19:04
From: Lawrence Tanimoto
Subject: SB 5849 (2023-24) Concerning a computer science competency graduation requirement.
On Dec 15, 2023 Sen. Wellman and Sen. Nobles prefiled SB 5849 (2023-24) Concerning a computer science competency graduation requirement (https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5849&Initiative=false&Year=2023
SB 5849 specifies that by the Class of 2029 must show competency in computer science by taking a stand-alone CS course, passing a competency exam, or through some other means. From a practical standpoint, taking a CS course becomes a graduation requirement that all students must fulfill starting from the 2025-26 school year. If SB 5849 passes as is, our school system has one year to prepare for the transition.
SB 5849 does not provide any additional services or funding to schools or teachers beyond what is already available to assist in the transition of CS from an optional CTE subject taken by a fraction of students to something closer to a "core" subject taken by all students. SB 5849 does not increase the number of high school credits required for graduation.
This thread is for PSCSTA members to share their thoughts on this bill and to get updates on progress.
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Lawrence Tanimoto
Treasurer/Advocacy Lead, CSTA Puget Sound (WA)
Bellevue, WA
K-12 Teacher CTE (retired)
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