DECODE THIS: When courses in computer science are offered, most schools count them as electives, rather than math, science or technology credits. That’s according to a survey of 503 US high school principals and vice principals across 47 states, released by the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) and Oracle Academy on January 6. Respondents used the term “computer science” to describe a wide variety of courses, from yearbook layout to business management to artificial intelligence. This view of computer science courses as “filler” electives and the lack of clarity about subject matter is “problematic” for student demand, according to the CSTA.
