With an increase of coding initiatives sweeping the nation, one group in particular stands to benefit from technology centric new economy skills education: students with special needs.
Joining the coding movement this fall are 26 motivated ninth graders at the Kayne Eras Center in Culver City, a program of the Exceptional Children’s Foundation. The first-of-its-kind coding academy, funded by The Michelson Twenty Million Minds Foundation (20MM), will provide an immersive experience to students with special needs, connecting them with technology and special educational services, which are not offered in traditional school settings.
“This pilot is a unique opportunity to infuse a special education curriculum with computer science lessons that will allow instructors to provide highlyadaptable learning and practical skill sets for all learners,” President of 20MM Dean Florez said. “Together with our partners, we hope to provide students with invaluable new economy skills.”
The initiative was spurred by research pointing to both the need and benefit of coding for students with disabilities. Reports estimate that one million coding and computing jobs will go unfilled in the United States by 2020. Students with special needs can help fill these positions, educators have found that, as a result of their unique abilities, students with special needs are engaged and motivated at a higher level when technology is used in the classroom.
This interest extends to those who attend college, where 16 percent of students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder choose computer science as their major, compared to a 7 percent rate for the general population.
It is these promising statistics that drove 20MM to fund the initiative.
With the support of high quality teachers and the CodeHS program, students in the Academy will learn content equivalent to an introductory college course in Computer Science five days a week in a classroom setting.
“CodeHS is incredibly excited to work with ECF, 20MM and Kayne Eras students and teachers this year,” CodeHS co-founder Zach Galant said. “This partnership represents a great opportunity to provide students with critical opportunities to expand and grow a vital skill set. We are thrilled to welcome these three impactful organizations into the CodeHS community and look forward to working together this year and into the future.”
Students in the academy will be supported by passionate teachers and leadership thrilled to bring the unique opportunity to its campus.
“With coding recognized as a critical skill for the emerging workplace, quality coding education at the high school level provides advantages to students who aim to attend college or enter the workforce. 20MM and CodeHS are our valued partners in being at the forefront of bringing Coding Education to our talented and capable young men and women with learning challenges,” Vice President of Children and Family Programs at the Exceptional Children’s Foundation Dr. Jason Bolton said. “I am confident that our students will leave ECF Kayne Eras School with well-developed critical thinking abilities and a highlymarketable skill set necessary to become successful members of their digital generation.”
Contributors to story: Amanda Abraham, Sergio Rosas, Debbie Laskey, and Max Magnuson