Code.org, the Computer Science Teachers Association, and the Expanding Computing Education Pathways (ECEP) Alliance released the 2020 State of Computer Science Education: Illuminating Disparities. The report describes the policy trends and momentum over the past 12 months and includes an in-depth view of each state’s policy and implementation, as well as data on disparities in access to and participation in computer science.

According to the report, NJ has made great progress but needs to do more in order to ensure access to equitable high-quality CS education for all NJ students:

• New Jersey has adopted six of the nine policies identified by the Code.org Coalition as necessary for equitable K-12 CS education. The steps required to realize three of the six policies adopted: CS teacher certification, establishing preservice programs at NJ colleges and universities, and establishing a  dedicated CS Specialist position at the NJDOE have been adopted but their implementation has been delayed due to COVID.  
• 67% of NJ high schools teach a CS course where only 47% of high schools teach CS across the United States. A law passed in NJ in 2018 requires that all NJ high schools offer a CS course.
• NJ Hispanic/LatinX students are 1.6 times less likely than their white and Asian peers to attend a school that offers AP CS and 2.3 times less likely to take an AP CS exam when they attend a school that offers it. 
• NJ Black students are 1.6 times less likely than their white and Asian peers to attend a school that offers AP CS, and 4 times less likely to take an AP CS exam whey they attend a school that offers it.  

You can read the full blog announcement here and access the report here.