Only a decade ago the idea of having every student in a school system with his or her own personal computer would have sounded like science fiction, but now it’s the norm. Districts are striving to be one to one, with every student matched with a Chromebook or laptop. Technology has completely changed the face of education, and Governor Gina Raimondo’s latest initiative is only continuing that evolution.

CS4RI, Computer Science for Rhode Island, wants to bring computer science to every grade in every public school, students learning not only how to read and write code, but to understand at least the fundamentals of developing their own software.

Despite the field growing exponentially, education has not followed suit, with students having a disproportionate access and understanding of computer science.

With partners like Microsoft and Code.org, the state can boast working with some of the biggest names in the computer science movement.

Even before the announcement, the state has seen some of its youngest learners dabbling in computer science. Elementary schools across the district participated in Code.org’s national movement, The Hour of Code, which encouraged students globally to use one of the organization’s free software programs to learn the fundamentals of coding.

Even kindergarten students took part in the initiative, playing what initially appear to be only games, but inevitably are teaching students the very building blocks of computer science.

Despite some elementary schools spearheading the computer science movement, it has yet to go district-wide. For those students who have been exposed to computer science in elementary as they age, they may be hard-pressed to find more extensive courses on the middle and high school levels.

With the governor’s proposal, students of all ages and abilities will have access to and the chance to progress in the subject.

For students to find any success after their education, it is essential, if not critical, they have at least the some basic understanding of computers. These students are entering a far different world after high school than even five years ago and therefore need a completely different skill set than ever before if they are expected to succeed.

Even outside the amazing educational gains this initiative will garner, CS4RI puts the state in the spotlight for business leaders. The state becomes a beacon for the industry, with a population that has a solid foundation in the field, and the education necessary to excel in their careers. With an established pipeline of workers, corporations within this industry can get a leg up by moving their businesses here.

Although too soon to determine the overall success, this initiative has the ability to be a game changer for Rhode Island, offering opportunity in so many facets for so many people when science fiction becomes reality.