Brindisi Asks State Education Officials to Make Computer Science Part of the Core Curriculum in Public Schools and the State University System

Brindisi says computer science education is essential for success in the changing workforce

July 24, 2013

Assemblymember Anthony J. Brindisi (D-Utica) has written to State Education Commissioner John B. King, and State University of New York Chancellor Nancy Zimpher asking them to include Computer Science as a part of the core curriculum in public secondary schools, and for liberal arts degrees in the State University system.

“Computer Science has become a crucial skill for young people who want to succeed in the 21st Century workplace,” Brindisi said. “It has become a driving force for innovation in science; for the commercialization of products; and for increased productivity in the economy. However, New York State only counts completed Computer Science courses as an elective, and fewer than 2,000 students were taking Advanced Placement Computer Science classes last year. It is time for our education system to require students to understand the fundamentals of computer science.”

Brindisi says he supports legislation that would require Computer Science classes in the core curriculum for a secondary education as either a math or science credit toward a student’s required credits for graduation, and to require the course to count toward a liberal arts degree from a state institution of higher learning. He says this could easily be accomplished be changing administrative regulations governing curriculum for New York’s public education system, and the State and New York City University system.

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