A Computer Science Degree Is Not Just For Geeks Anymore By Andy West

Years ago, a computer science degree was seen as something that attracted mainly math and computer nerds. The stereotype may not have been fair, but it looks as though the computer science students have the last laugh in any event. Today, courses and programs of study in computers offer not only excellent job opportunities, but also some very creative courses as well. Thanks to the fact that computers have evolved so rapidly and are now being used in every field, graduates of these computer programs have a cachet and coolness factor that simply did not exist before.

A computer science degree, at its simplest, is any degree that studies computers and their systems in depth. Students in the computer sciences study subjects such as algorithms, programming languages, computer hardware, software, program design, and other subjects. Of course, degrees vary widely. Some students focus on theoretical or mathematical work, while others focus on studies that will allow them to build practical systems and software programs for businesses.

A student with a computer science degree has plenty of career options, many of them very creative and interesting. Advertising agencies, digital artists, and web design companies require graduates to help transform creative ideas into creative software, graphics, and multimedia. Rock stars and music industry executives rely on students with computer science skills to assemble high-tech music videos, special multimedia effects for concerts, and other computerized effects.

Today, as animated films and movies with special effects are more popular, computer science students are in demand by movie studios. Students not only help build and fix computer systems, they are also often involved in creating some of the most popular cultural products of today. From movies to music to television and Internet trends, students from the computer sciences are responsible for many of the entertainment options we enjoy.

Students with a computer science degree may also build systems or software that is used by companies, by NASA or by home computer users. The possibilities are virtually endless. Now that so many people use computers, the work of people with computer skills is vital.

The employment news for students with a computer science degree is also very good. The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the Computer Programmers section of the 2002-03 Occupational Outlook Handbook, states that computers scientists are expected to be the among the best growing occupations through the year 2010. Companies at all levels require workers with excellent computer skills. Today, even small businesses hire experts to create personalized computer systems or custom-built software elements for a business.

Major corporations such as NASA, IBM, and major movie studios, hire students from the computer sciences. Often, students graduating with this sort of degree can expect great career options, a well-paying job, and good benefits. Students with these skills are in demand, and companies have responded with attractive employment offers.

Students who are familiar with computers and want to pursue one of the more creative computer career options have plenty of choices. They should look for degree programs that offer plenty of hands-on experience. A degree with a good reputation goes a long way towards helping a student land a good job. Beyond that, networking can help students in applying for careers that are of interest. Many companies, even in glamorous fields, are actively looking for computer professionals. Networking is often as simple as letting prospective employers know about your skills. Many schools that offer good computer programs have career centers. These are also excellent resources that should not be overlooked.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=152881&ca=Education

Las Vegas Schools Thirsting For More Funding By Patricia Hawke

Families who are considering a move to Las Vegas in order to be closer to all that fun may need to think twice before doing so. The entire state is suffering a drought on educational funding, and Las Vegas Schools are no exception.

Despite a recent Review-Journal poll that had 25 percent of respondents saying that education should be the top priority for the Nevada Legislature, Governor Jim Gibbons, is instead pushing for improved traffic congestion.

Among the many issues voters are concerned over, class-size, per-pupil spending, and all-day kindergarten are tops. Las Vegas Schools, along with the other districts statewide, have the nation’s lowest per-pupil expenditure, highest-class sizes, and a pressing shortage of teachers.

Speaker of the Assembly, Barbara Buckley refuses to blame the lower tax revenue the state is experiencing on a slower housing market. “Mediocrity in education funding guarantees mediocrity,” she says. Buckley says that educational issues were put last in the budget. Senator Dina Titus disagrees by stating that “When the state has to make up the hole for property taxes at the local level, that doesn’t leave a lot for education and that’s unfortunate.” This doesn’t seem to make sense, in light of the fact that Las Vegas schools are in the fastest-growing district in the nation, and they aren’t getting any financial help on the local level to improve conditions.

State law does require lawmakers to make up for lost money when the tax revenue goes down, but then the state finds itself burning the candle at both ends. So where is the revenue from this “fastest-growing district in the nation” going? It doesn’t seem to be going towards Las Vegas schools.

Improvements that education proponents are looking at for Las Vegas Schools, like all day kindergarten which is seen by most as highly beneficial to students, will likely die at the Legislative level, because of funding issues. Las Vegas schools are hard hit by all of this. Gov. Gibbons even said in his State of the State address that putting off all-day kindergarten was the “fiscally responsible thing to do.” Then he went on to add that money had been found in the budget to work on the state’s roadways.

One solution that Las Vegas Schools Superintendent Walt Ruffles has implemented is year-round schools. Nine elementary schools are scheduled to begin the year-round calendar this August. While there is no evidence that students perform better in a traditional 9-month schedule as opposed to the year-round calendar, parents aren’t convinced. District officials also say the Las Vegas Schools cannot afford any more portable classrooms, and the switch to the year-round calendar will allow Las Vegas schools to house more students.

The Nevada State Education Association is considering a plan to go to the voters to solve the funding crisis: it could lobby the Legislature to put the measure on a statewide ballot, or it could collect signatures to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. However, it’s a risky strategy that has failed in 2004. Overall, the communities around Las Vegas schools are supportive of teachers, but don’t think that the Las Vegas schools are very good. Getting the ballot passed could be difficult, unless a standard of excellence for the schools is attached to it.

Las Vegas Schools could be great, if only the politicos in Carson City would get their heads out of the asphalt and into the classrooms.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=155224&ca=Education

Closure Certain For Minneapolis Schools By Patricia Hawke

In a decision process that began in the spring district officials have decided to close seven Minneapolis Schools at the end of the current school year. The debate was an emotional one in which school officials claimed too few students and too many unused classrooms made the move necessary. Current enrollment in Minneapolis Schools is around 36,000, while classroom space exists to accommodate up to 50,000 students. This has led to the situation at Minneapolis Schools like Holland Community School. The north side elementary only enrolled 190 children in kindergarten through fifth grade during the 2006-2007 school year.

Operation Chief for Minneapolis Schools, Steve Liss, has stated that the north side of the district has lost 50% of its students in recent years. Overall enrollment in Minneapolis Schools has declined by 3,000 students in the last two years. But is this decision a necessity? Or is it partially driven by socioeconomic factors?

Community activist Al Flowers fought against the proposed closing because he claimed that his African American community was targeted, and that other parent groups had successfully lobbied against closings in more affluent Minneapolis Schools. Socio-economic factors, like parents who must work outside the home and can’t afford supplement enrichment, have factored into educational debates for decades.

Although sadness pervades many affected by the school closings, many seem to be resigned to the decision, and view it as best for the children. Losing the neighborhood feel and bussing children to other Minneapolis Schools creates anxiety for students, parents and teachers. Principals and teachers face different year-end assessments than usual. Typically this is the time of year that Minneapolis Schools reassess their student improvement plan and make changes for the upcoming year. Instead, educators in the closing schools will close out the current plans and move on to a new assignment and venue.

The Minneapolis Schools slated for closing are all on the north side of the city. Some will be combined while others will be re-organized into different grades. What will become of the empty buildings? That is still up in the air. Superintendent of Minneapolis Schools Thandiwe Peebles has no interest in selling the structures, but great ideas of how they could still help the struggling district. Possible suggestions include using the space for community centers or leasing it out to local colleges. Either use could provide benefits to Minneapolis Schools and its student population.

While the numbers of declining enrollment in Minneapolis Schools are shocking, the trend is a national one. School choice, urban flight, meager funding and natural decline of structures combine to put this issue at the forefront of the educational debate. With a presidential election on the horizon residents in the Minneapolis Schools’ district and around the nation will watch closely to see what results from decisions like this one.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=155552&ca=Education