High School Computer Science Courses Drive More Students Towards Coding Degrees
In recent times, high schools all over the country have been introducing computer science courses, aiming to make them more widespread. A recent study conducted using a comprehensive dataset in Maryland has revealed that such initiatives can significantly boost the number of students pursuing careers in coding and foster diversity in the field.
Impact of High School Computer Science Courses
The study, released as a working paper this month, highlighted that enrolling in a high-quality computer science course in high school increases the likelihood of a student majoring in computer science in college by 10 percentage points. Moreover, it also raises the chances of students completing a computer science degree program by 5 percentage points.
Lead researcher Jing Liu, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland at College Park, emphasized the importance of having concrete data to demonstrate the positive impact of taking computer science courses on students’ career choices.
Overcoming Coding Misconceptions
Liu suggested that exposure to computer science courses helps students overcome common fears and misconceptions about coding. Just like math anxiety, some students believe they are incapable of coding until they actually delve into the curriculum. The study found that females, Black students, and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds benefited the most from taking computer science courses in high school.
Next Steps in Computer Science Education
Currently, around 57% of high schools in the U.S. offer introductory computer science courses. Maryland has recently mandated that all high schools must provide at least one high-quality computer science course. Despite this, there is a need to encourage a more diverse range of students to enroll in these courses.
Challenges Ahead
One major challenge identified in the study is the lack of qualified teachers to teach computer science. Many schools have assigned math teachers to lead computer science courses, but additional training is often required. Finding ways to motivate and compensate teachers to enhance their qualifications is crucial for the success of computer science education.
Research Collaboration
The researchers collaborated with the Maryland Center for Computing Education to conduct the study, utilizing various state datasets to gather valuable insights. This study stands out as the first to provide concrete evidence that high school computer science courses lead to further study and employment opportunities in the field of computer science.
