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Disney Thinks High Schools Should Let Kids Take Coding In Place of Foreign Languages

theodp writes: Florida lawmakers are again proposing a contentious plan that would put coding and foreign language on equal footing in a public high school student's education. Under a proposed bill students who take two credits of computer coding and earn a related industry certification could then count that coursework toward two foreign language credits.

"I sort of comically applaud that some would want to categorize coding as a foreign language," said Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. "Coding cannot be seen as an equivalent substitute." Disclosure records show that Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has three lobbyists registered to fight in support of the bill. Disney did not return an email seeking comment, but State Senator Jeff Brandes said the company's interest is in a future workforce... Disney has provided signature tutorials for the nation's Hour of Code over the past three years, including Disney's Frozen princess-themed tutorial.

2 of 328 comments (clear)

  1. No by negRo_slim · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Coding is not for everyone and not everyone will gain even a modest benefit from learning coding. Furthermore this shit is going to be highly automated over the coming decade or two. We need to teach kids stuff to make them well rounded, not just a fucking outdated cog.

    --
    On the Oregon Cost born and raised, On the beach is where I spent most of my days
    1. Re:No by ElectraFlarefire · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Expose every kid to programming? Sure! Force every kid to 'be able to program' no.
      Treat it like Ceramics or Drama.. A pass should be 'I did the exercises and now I know what it's like'.
      And like those subjects, those who really like it/are good at it will continue on and do the 'real' programming/CS subjects. Those who have no affinity at all for it can move on to what they are good at.