Computer Science in Middle School

A recent NY Time article suggested that more needs to be done to "lure" young people into high tech jobs.

New Programs Aim to Lure Young Into Digital Jobs
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/21/technology/21nerds.html

I found it interesting but was somewhat skeptical, and forgot about it until I saw it referenced in a Venture Capitalist's blog:

Getting Computer Science Into Middle School
http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2009/12/getting-computer-science-into-middle-school.html

I wrote software for almost 10 years and many people during the dot com boom years asked me about writing code - was it really as fun, fascinating and "cool" as it was often portrayed in the press?

My typical response was, "Did you like doing your math homework?"

Most were shocked by this question, and all stated (emphatically) no... to which I responded, "I do find writing software interesting, but I also liked doing my math homework."

My point is, I guess, that I don't think swarms of kids will find a middle school programming class interesting nor life changing.

A small set of "math nerds" will benefit from a programming class in 7th grade. In fact my math teacher in middle school did find a way for the most advanced students to get some experience writing programs in BASIC - and this in the mid 70s!

But, to answer a question posed in the blog: "We continue to teach our kids French but we don't teach them Ruby On Rails. Which do you think will help them more in the coming years?"

In twenty years the French will still be speaking French, the literature written in the language will endure and tourists (e.g. our kids) will still be flocking to Paris... but who will still be using Ruby on Rails?

Middle School Math - Small Group Tutoring

We started our Middle School Math Group on Tuesday!

These will be held Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:30 until 4:30 or 5pm (determined by group size).

These groups are open to students in grades 6, 7 and 8. Each student works individually, at his or her own pace, with assistance from the group tutor. The objective is for each student to move along at their own best pace, toward the common objective of proficiency/mastery of Algebra I by the end of eighth grade.

Only one student was in the "group" on Tuesday, but he will be joined by at least one other on Monday. My expectation/plan/hope is that five to eight kids will be in attendance each day.

NYCs Best High Schools

The NY Post today published their list of the 50 best high schools in the city. The Specialized High Schools - which you test into via the SHSAT - took 7 of the top 8 rankings!

The lone exception, at number 3, was Townsend Harris; rounding out the top 10 where Eleanor Roosevelt (9), and NYC Lab School for Collaborative Studies (10).

A top ranking doesn't make a school right for your child, but the SHSAT has certainly been affirmed as the gatekeeper to the top schools in the city.

The NY Post article also published some presumably recent stats:

1) 28, 000 students took the test
2) 5, 000 seats available at the Specialized schools

SHSAT Test Date Nov 7th and 8th

The SHSAT will be given to 8th Graders on the weekend of November 7th and 8th this year (ie 2009). A little later in the fall than usual... but overall not bad. Those who plan to start studying after school starts, will have a couple extra weeks to prepare.