Nearly all Hawaiʻi public schools are now offering computer science after the Legislature passed a law in 2021 requiring instruction on every campus. But not all students are benefitting equally from these courses.
Around 98% of schools offered at least one computer science course last year, up from roughly 54% three years prior. The course with the greatest enrollment was an introductory computer science class for third graders, which served more than 11,300 kids across the state, according to the education department’s recent report to the Legislature. At least 89% of students in grades kindergarten through five took a class last year.
But participation rates in computer science tended to peak in elementary school. Enrollment fell as students entered middle and high school, with ninth graders recording the lowest participation rate of 8% last year.
Enrollment also varied based by geography. The Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua complex area on Oʻahu had the highest participation rates, with 69% of all students taking a computer science class last year. The Castle-Kahuku complex area reported the lowest enrollment rate of 39%, followed by the Kailua-Kalaheo complex area with a 45% enrollment rate.
The racial and gender makeup of Hawaiʻi’s computer science classes reflected the overall demographics of public schools last year. Girls made up 47% of those enrolled in computer science classes.
But enrollment rates were slightly lower among low-income students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. Low-income students made up roughly 42% of the state’s computer science enrollment last year, compared to 58% of the overall population in public schools.
Around a dozen states currently require students to take computer science to graduate from high school. Local advocates have urged Hawaiʻi to follow suit, arguing that a mandate would ensure that all students have the opportunity to learn key technology skills and prepare for high-paying careers. But some educators and administrators have questioned if schools have the resources and staffing needed to add a new graduation requirement.
A 2024 report from the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization listed computer science as one of the most lucrative college majors in the state, with a projected mid-career income of $95,755.
The education department is currently in the process of revising its computer science standards for the first time in nearly a decade. The proposed standards, which state leaders will present to the Board of Education on Thursday, include updated guidelines around artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data science.
For example, students would learn more about data privacy and common types of cyberattacks in middle school. Under the new standards, high schoolers would be tasked with evaluating the accuracy of AI-generated code and creating data visualizations.
See which complex areas had the greatest percentage of students taking computer science last year:
