Carson City, NV – Today, Code.org, the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), and the Expanding Computing Education Pathways Alliance released 2020 State of Computer Science Education: Illuminating Disparities. The report highlights Nevada as one of only four states in the nation with more than 75% of public high schools teaching computer science.
Nevada has made great strides in advancing computer science in our schools and classrooms. This year, we're celebrating our efforts in narrowing gaps in access to computer science across most of our student demographics.

• Nevada is one of only five states to adopt all nine policies recommended by the Code.org Advocacy Coalition to support computer science education.
• Nevada is one of two states nationally to have a computer science graduation requirement.
• 77% of public high schools in Nevada taught a foundational computer science course in 2019-20, compared to 57% percent the previous year.
• 37% percent of Advanced Placement computer science exam test-takers were female students in 2019, a jump of 4 percentage points from the previous year. Research has shown that students who take an AP computer science exam are more likely to take computer science courses in college.

“I want to thank the educators, students, parents, partners, and leaders including Governor Steve Sisolak, Senator Joyce Woodhouse, and State Board of Education Vice President Mark Newburn who have made this progress possible,” said Jhone Ebert, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. “At a time when the integration of technology into learning is more important than ever, Nevada is proud to be a national leader in computer science education. We are expanding access and opportunity to all students, and especially those who have been traditionally underrepresented in computer science and STEM pathways.”

In 2019, Nevada adopted K-12 Computer Science and Integrated Technology standards on the five core areas and seven guiding principles that drive computer science education as modeled by the national CSTA standards. These standards are designed to support even our youngest students on learning to navigate a computer and understanding how it works; how computer programs are coded and utilized; the impact of computers and the internet on society; the importance of good digital citizenship; how to send an email and the networking process behind it; developing digital artifacts; using devices for communication; and more.

The Nevada Department of Education’s 2020 Statewide Plan for the Improvement of Pupils includes a commitment to increase access to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning. Success in achieving this goal will be measured by an increase in female students and students from under-represented groups earning STEM and STEAM (STEM + Arts) seals on their diplomas.

Check out the following announcements and resources to learn more about Nevada’s accomplishments in computer science:

• K-12 Computer Science and Integrated Technology Academic Content Standards
• Governor Sisolak Announces $1 Million Grant in Support of Computer Science Education in Nevada
• Nine Nevada Schools Earn First College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Awards for High Female Representation
• Computer Science Education is More Relevant Today Than Ever Before

For resources related to digital learning, visit the Nevada Digital Learning Collaborative Website.