New initiative ensures NJ public school students get thorough computer science education

Governor Phil Murphy announces a five-point Computer Science for ALL State Plan and FY20 Funding Opportunities at Bridgewater-Raritan High School
Photo credit Edwin J. Torres/NJ Governor’s Office
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — There's a new initiative in New Jersey to make sure every public school student in the state has a thorough computer science education. This aggressive program includes $2 million in state grants to help schools establish advanced, high-quality computer science programs.  

Gov. Phil Murphy said their plan in part makes sure teachers are prepared to teach computer science classes and that students are properly engaged.

"We will establish rigorous statewide standards for computer science education in all grades to provide a framework for equitable access for all students to a K-12 computer science program," he said. 

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Murphy said improving computer science programs is not only imperative for improving students' critical thinking skills, but it helps the state's workforce, which needs to fill 15,000 computing jobs.

"We must close the gap that sees us unable to fill the growing number of jobs that require a firm grasp of STEM concepts and computer science skills," the governor added. 

To help implement the plan, Murphy announced that the Expanding Access to Computer Science program will grow from 29 to 44 school districts.

The state says in 2017, their universities graduated 1,600 computer science majors, but they want to improve those numbers.