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State announces computer science education funding boost at Marshalltown Schools

T-R FILE PHOTO – Marshalltown is one of about two dozen school districts in the state to get a piece of a $500,000 state funding allocation to enhance computer science instruction for students.

The office of Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Marshalltown Schools as one of 23 districts to get extra funding for computer science education Wednesday.

Specifically, a governor’s office statement says state lawmakers appropriated $500,000 to the Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund. The goal of the fund is to help educate teachers on how to perform high-quality computer science instruction at the elementary-, middle- and high school level.

“This investment provides students with the tools they need to excel within a 21st-century digital economy,” Reynolds said in a statement. “Teaching computer science and other STEM-related courses is an essential component to any child’s education. That’s why Iowa is preparing our young people for success in cutting-edge careers with programs like this.”

The professional learning the fund will help pay for includes university coursework for teaching endorsements in computer science. Teachers earn such endorsements in order to be better prepared to provide quality computer science instruction.

“This is a great opportunity for schools to develop teachers in a high-demand field,” said Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise in the statement. “Strong computer science instruction is critical in ensuring our students are future ready when they graduate from high school.”

As of press time Wednesday, the governor’s office did not provide information on exactly how much of the $500,000 funding allocation will go to Marshalltown. Several other districts from across the state will also share the funding.

For more information, visit https://governor.iowa.gov/2019/07/gov-reynolds-announces-23-schools-districts-will-expand-computer-science

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Contact Adam Sodders at 641-753-6611 or asodders@timesrepublican.com

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