Chicago makes Computer Science a core subject
Ugh, had to go scurrying around to find this info (really wish they linked it directly), but here's the actual proposal (and its press release):<p>1) In the next three years, every high school will offer a foundational “Exploring Computer Science” course. (This is a survey course - my note)<p>2) In the next five years, at least half of all high schools will also offer an AP Computer Science course. (My note: AP CS is a Java based course that looks roughly comparable to first year computer engineering courses, including algorithms and data structure... I've never taken AP CS, but I bet lots of people here have, and they can probably elaborate on its usefulness)<p>3) Chicago will also be the first US urban district to offer a K-8 computer science pathway, reaching one in four elementary schools in the next five years.<p>4) Within five years, CPS will allow computer science to count as a graduation requirement (e.g. possibly as a math, science, or foreign language credit). Only thirteen other states have elevated computer science to a core subject instead of an elective.<p><a href="http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases/2013/december_2013/mayor-emanuel-and-cps-ceo-barbara-byrd-bennett-announce-comprehe.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/...</a><p>And for reference, here is CPS' current requirements for highscool graduation:
<a href="http://www.cps.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/PromotionPolicy/HSGraduationReq_English.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.cps.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/PromotionPolicy/H...</a>