California and the SF Bay Area decline to accept money to teach coding to kids

... and its a good thing. Seriously.

"Coding" is a skill that can be learned later, after (this is some of the things that my kids are learning):

1. math (algebra and better) 2. reading comprehension 3. writing both persuasively and clearly 4. science ( physical sciences ) 5. leadership courses 6. foreign language 7. basic computer as a tool ( how to google, type, create presentations)

The fundamental problems with this demand for kids to learn how to code right now:

1. What are they not going to learn (it is a zero-sum game) 2. Technology is expensive to maintain

Sure offer it in high school. But K-5, my kids and the other kids in their class are not that interested in computers (except to play on).

There are other skills that are way, way more important at that age.

Of course, if you read the article, the headline is misleading:

1) California wasn't being offered free money, it was being lobbied to let computer science substitute for existing math and/or science requirements, and

2) San Francisco and Oakland are both in discussion with Code.org but haven't adopted their program for the coming year, looking at doing it later -- we don't know the details in SF because the short-notice call for comments wasn't returned, but in Oakland's case its at least in part because they already have grants for teaching code to kids from other private entities involved in a different program with overlapping objectives to Code.org.

As a home schooler it is shocking to me how technology is systematically devalued by the official curriculum, and I don't mean just "computers and stuff" but things like how to sew a garmet or grow meat animals or how to wire up an electric outlet.