This month the House passed HR 5, the Student Success Act, by a vote of 221-207.  The bill would reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) act. Through a bipartisan amendment, the legislation now includes language to clarify that computer science teachers are eligible for the professional development assistance provided through the reauthorization of ESEA.

Given the challenges that face today’s educators as they seek to teach increasingly challenging content to an increasing diverse set of students, preparation that includes instruction in digital literacy and computer science is essential. You can see the debate of the amendment, and the compelling statistics around the need for more K-12 computer science education here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9XenrSbXmA. 

Computer science education advocates are encouraged that the amendment won broad bipartisan support from the House of Representatives.