Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that students are taking less humanities courses while enrollment in computer science courses has increased.
Paul Bruno and Colleen M. Lewis examined the implications of California’s recent state policies promoting computer science education and the proliferation of these courses in the state’s high schools. Bruno is a professor of education policy, organization and leadership, and Lewis is a professor of computer science in the Grainger College of Engineering. The researchers explored the equity and diversity between students and teachers in computer science courses in California.
California is one of the leading states promoting STEM education for K-12 students. In 2018, the state adopted computer science standards for K-12 students, and the following year implemented a statewide strategic plan to expand access to computer science education.
Data shows that the number of students attending high schools that offer at least one computer science course jumped from 45% in 2003 to more than 79% in 2019.
“As someone who works in school administration, it raises a lot of questions about how schools — especially high schools — are going to implement this rapid change and offer these new courses effectively,” Bruno said. “Schools are already having trouble offering all the courses that they need for students to graduate and go on to college — and finding enough qualified instructors to teach them, especially in science, technology, engineering and math subjects.”
The researchers found no significant improvements in school-level standardized test scores in math and reading. Buno and Lewis said test scores are not the only thing that matters when measuring competencies.
“Ultimately, all students deserve the opportunity to understand the computational world around them, which computer science courses provide,” Lewis said. “But in the U.S., low-income students and students who identify as Black, Hispanic and/or Indigenous are less likely to have access to computer science courses at their high school.”
Since enrollment in computer science courses has increased in California, their enrollments in humanities courses and electives declined.
“We’re not able to see why or how schools or students are making these kinds of choices, but we think that’s an important consideration,” Bruno said. “If we want students to take more computer science, what are we comfortable with there being less of in the curriculum?”
While some school districts count computer science courses toward graduation requirements, some districts have not yet found how to incorporate them in the curriculum.
Bruno said it’s important to be aware of the demands placed on the students’ and schools’ time and resources to ensure that these courses are offered in ways that benefit students, teachers and their communities.
“That means thinking carefully about who we have to teach these courses and how we adjust the curricula to make room for them. All of these things are important in thinking about what the actual costs and benefits of computer science education are,” Bruno said.
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