Governor Highlights Computer Science Education This Week: Visits Martin Middle School

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo visited Martin Middle School on Thursday, March 10, 2016 to help promote the state's Computer Science for Rhode Island (CS4RI) Initiative. The Governor was given a tour of the school and its' Google classroom. The state kicked off its' effort to emphasize the importance of computer science this week.

"The Google classrooms at Edward Martin Middle School are transforming the way our kids learn and giving them real life skills at a young age," said Raimondo. "I saw that firsthand today with a tour led by Jackson, a 7th grader who is gaining coding and programming skills. Principal Avila, told me how her school is "preparing students for jobs that don't even exist yet."

In a recent statement released by the Governor, Raimondo said that "Computer Science for Rhode Island (CS4RI) is among the most comprehensive statewide computer science (CS) initiatives in the country. CS4RI takes a coalition approach by combining national leadership with homegrown talent to reduce barriers to providing quality computer science education and professional development, and will bring CS learning opportunities to all Rhode Island schools in the years ahead," she added.

"CS4RI will position our state to be an innovation leader for years to come. Computer science skills are not only marketable, they offer students a new way of thinking about the world. By challenging kids in new and different ways, we are also preparing a new generation of leaders to be creative problem-solvers and bring our state into the future," said Richard Culatta, Chief Innovation Officer for Rhode Island. "Our goal is to have CS taught in every public school by December 2017."

"Our kids deserve the best opportunities in the 21st century tech-driven economy, so we need to do everything we can to help them get ahead by developing the skills that matter. Part of turning our economy around and creating jobs is making sure every student, at every level, has access to the new basic skill: computer science. Thanks to the partners we have assembled for this initiative, I know we can achieve this goal," Raimondo stated.

Riverside Middle School also offers Robotics and Computer Science. The Career & Technical Center at the High School offers computer science, forensic science and pre-engineering programs of study.

(Photos Provided by Governor Raimondo's Staff)