Georgia's Walker and Fannin counties are among 34 school districts statewide awarded grants to help increase the number of credentialed teachers of computer science education, a news release states.
The Georgia Department of Education grants provide funds for professional learning opportunities, including credentialing programs, for teachers. There are now 250 credentialed computer science teachers in 1,000 middle and high schools across Georgia, and computer science has become a high-demand career in multiple industries, the release states.
"Computer science learning is essential for all students - not just those who will ultimately pursue STEM careers," state school Superintendent Richard Woods said. "As school districts make the shift to offering computer science as a K-12 discipline, one of the most immediate needs is teacher capacity. These grant funds allow districts to invest in the talented teachers already in their building and provide the training needed to develop a [computer science] skill set."
Each of the 34 districts is receiving up to $25,000, for a total of $744,381 awarded. Priority was given to districts serving highly impoverished and/or rural communities, according to the release.