Arkansas High School recently received a $5,000 computer science grant in the 2017-18 #ARKidsCanCode Enrollment Contest. The school's name was drawn after they submitted information to the Arkansas Department of Education on how they encouraged students to enroll in computer science courses.
AHS computer science teacher Therron Telford said he is excited to receive the funding. "The Arkansas Coding Initiative continues to grow momentum across the state and is very popular among our students," he said. "My plan is to use the funding to start a device loaner program so students can check the computers out and work on their coding projects at home."
Telford and campus leaders earned entries for the contest through an increase in course enrollment, the number of courses offered and hosting a campus-wide Hour of Code.
AHS was one of four schools in the state recognized for their efforts to encourage students to enroll in high school computer courses during the 2018 Computer Science Educators Conference, recently held at Henderson State University.
"Through the efforts of the Arkansas Department of Education and commitment from teachers and schools around the state, Arkansas' Computer Science initiative continues to grow," Gov. Asa Hutchinson said. "I am honored to recognize these four deserving schools for embracing and growing the initiative. Through this commitment as well as ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers, we are increasing availability and access to computer science courses for all students."
Other schools recognized include Bentonville High School, Mountain Home Career Academies and Greenwood Freshman Academy.
The contest was announced in August 2017 to honor schools for their outstanding effort to promote computer science education. All public schools with students enrolled in computer science courses were eligible and funding was provided by the ADE Office of Computer Science.
According to district officials, approximately 120 AHS students are registered for computer science for the 2018-19 school year. High school computer science credit courses are also offered at North Heights Junior High in partnership with the Arkansas School of Mathematics, Sciences and Arts, located in Hot Springs, Ark.