Nearly all public schools in Hawaiʻi now provide computer science courses following a 2021 law mandating such instruction on every campus. However, participation among students is not uniform.
According to a recent report from the education department, approximately 98% of schools offered at least one computer science course last year, a significant increase from about 54% three years earlier. The most popular course was an introductory computer science class for third graders, which reached over 11,300 students statewide. At least 89% of students in grades K-5 participated in computer science classes last year.
Despite this growth, enrollment in computer science typically peaked in elementary school and declined in middle and high school. Last year, only 8% of ninth graders were enrolled in a computer science course, marking the lowest participation rate.
Geographical disparities also influenced enrollment rates. The Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua complex area on Oʻahu reported the highest participation, with 69% of students taking computer science courses. In contrast, the Castle-Kahuku complex area saw the lowest enrollment at 39%, followed by the Kailua-Kalaheo area with a rate of 45%.
Demographically, the composition of students in Hawaiʻi’s computer science classes mirrored the overall public school demographics, with girls representing 47% of enrolled students. However, low-income students, those qualifying for free or reduced lunch, made up only 42% of computer science enrollment, while they account for 58% of the total public school population.
In addition to growth in enrollment, local advocates are pushing for mandatory computer science classes for high school graduation, a requirement already established in approximately a dozen states. They argue that such a mandate would provide all students access to essential technology skills and prepare them for high-paying careers. Yet, some educators have expressed concerns over the availability of necessary resources and staffing to implement this requirement.
The University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization identified computer science as one of the highest-paying college majors in the state, with a projected mid-career income of $95,755.
The state education department is currently updating its computer science standards for the first time in nearly a decade. Proposed changes include new guidelines on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data science, set to be presented to the Board of Education on Thursday. Middle school students would learn about data privacy and common cyberattacks, while high school students would evaluate the accuracy of AI-generated code and create data visualizations.
