CARSON CITY, Nev. – This week, December 6-10,2021, the Nevada Department of Education (NDE or Department) celebratesComputer Science Education Week (CSEd Week). Proclaimed byGovernor Steve Sisolak, CSEd Week is an annual call to action to inspire K-12students to learn computer science, advocate for equity, and celebrate thecontributions of students, educators, and partners to the field.

Inrecognition of this week, NDE celebrates Nevada’s status as a national leaderin computer science education, based on the 2021 State of Computer Science Education:Accelerating Action Through Advocacy report released in November by Code.org.The report is published annually and provides the most comprehensive analysisof national progress in computer science education, featuring national andstate-level policy and implementation data focusing on equity and diversity.

Highlights from the 2021 State of Computer Science Education report include:  

• Nevada is one of only three states with a high schoolgraduation requirement in computer science.
• Nevada is one of only six states to adopt all nine policies recommendedby the Code.org Advocacy Coalition to support computer science education.
• 83% of public high schools inNevada taught a foundational computer science course in 2020-21, compared to 77%the previous year. 
• Nevada is ranked as one of the top five states in the nationfor the percentage of high schools offering computer science,
• 95% of Nevada’s students attend a public high school that offers a foundational computer science course.    

“Inorder to set Nevada’s students up for present and future success, it is imperative that we deliver effective and equitable computer science education Statewide,” saidJhone Ebert, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. “I am filled with pride at Nevada’s continued leadership in this space, and want to thank the educators, students, parents, partners, and leaders including the entire StateBoard of Education and specifically Vice President Mark Newburn for this achievement. Each and every one of our students deserves equitable access to a high-quality, engaging, and rigorous computer science and integrated technology education, and we will continue to build on this work and momentum.”

“ Nevada remains a national leader in computer science education, and I commend the Nevada Department of Education, Office of Science and Technology, and other statewide organizations and agencies that have contributed to this accomplishment, said Governor Steve Sisolak. “ Prioritizing computer science education is vital to the future of Nevada’s economy, as well as ourstudents’ future success in the workforce. Career opportunities in computing and technology continue to become rapidly available throughout Nevada, and I am confident that today’s students will go on to fill the more than 4,030 opencomputing jobs in our State.”

The 2021 State of Computer Science Education Report indicates that 83% of Nevada’shigh schools taught a foundational computer science course in 2020-21. Senate Bill 200 (2017) requires all Nevada high schools to offer a computer science course by 2022, which will increase this percentage to 100%.

NDE’sStatewide 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 bemeasured by an increase in female students and students from under-representedgroups earning STEM and STEAM (STEM + Arts) seals on their diplomas.

Intandem with NDE’s work to deliver computer science education equitably andeffectively, the Governor’s Office ofScience, Innovation, and Technology (OSIT) offersseveral resources to support computer science education in Nevada, includingthe Governor's STEM SchoolDesignation, the STEM Leadership Academy and grantsfor K-5 STEM Classrooms and Programs. OSIT’s STEM Hub website also hosts several NDE “CSfor NV” resources. OSIT has also developed a robust State BroadbandConnectivity Strategy to ensure infrastructure growth in a way that supports technological advancements Statewide.

“In today’s world, technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace and drive the growth of Nevada’s economy,” said Brian Mitchell, Director of OSIT. “By focusing on computer science in tandem with the infrastructure and broadband supports that will be implemented on a national level, Nevada can successfully continue to move ahead into technology and innovation.”

Thetheme of the 2021 Computer Science Education Week is #CSEverywhere. Educators,students, and families can visit CSEdWeek.org foractivities and ideas to participate, including a virtual National Family Code Night and Hour of Code.

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ABOUT THE NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) leads and collaborates withNevada’s 17 school districts and the State Public Charter School Authority to advance educational equity Statewide. With offices in Carson City and Las Vegas, NDE oversees all pre-K-12 education in the State, working to achieve its mission to improve student achievement and educator effectiveness by ensuring opportunities, facilitating learning, and promoting excellence. Under the leadership of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, NDE impacts the achievement of nearly half a million children and 30,000 educators.

ABOUTTHE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF SCIENCE, INNOVATION, AND TECHNOLOGY

TheOffice of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT) wascreated in 2015 as Nevada’s “people strategy” to support Nevada’s economicdevelopment strategy. The office works to increase the number and quality of STEM offerings in Nevada, including schools, credentialing programs, and community-based programs. OSIT’s vision is a pathway to success for everyNevadan.