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Shenandoah County plans dedicated middle-school computer science class to meet new state standards
Summary
Assistant Superintendent Proctor told the school board the division will implement Virginiacomputer science standards with a stand-alone middle-school course to protect core teachersand ensure consistent, focused instruction in algorithms, AI literacy, cybersecurity and career exploration.
Assistant Superintendent Proctor told the Shenandoah County School Board that the division will implement the Virginia Computer Science Standards adopted in 2024 by offering a dedicated middle-school computer science class rather than fully integrating the standards into existing English, math, science and history classes.
Proctor said the state standards, reviewed every seven years, include algorithms and programming, computer systems, cybersecurity, data and analysis, impacts of computing and networks. She argued that a stand-alone class preserves the workload of core-content teachers and ensures consistent instruction across schools: "We want all of our students to have the same access and it doesn't matter what your ZIP code is," Proctor said.
Proctor gave specific examples of standards that are technically detailed and difficult to weave into other content, including an eighth-grade standard requiring students to plan and implement algorithms with sequencing, loops and conditional control structures and a fifth-grade standard on the significance of training data in machine learning. "This standard is teaching students to be critical thinkers about AI," she said.
On scheduling and electives, Proctor said sixth-grade computer science content will be delivered through the existing career-exploration class so it will not reduce elective time. "In seventh and eighth grade there will be an elective that all students will take," she said, adding that each school will decide semester versus year-long pacing. Proctor also told the board that elementary technology classes already teach many basic functions (Google apps, copying and pasting) and that the division will review pacing guides to determine whether additional instruction (for example, typing skills) should be added.
Board members praised the decision to create a dedicated course but pressed for clarity about operational details. One member asked whether the new course would force students out of music or other year-long electives; Proctor replied that principals have been working on schedules and that combining seventh- and eighth-grade content can reduce conflicts.
Proctor noted local career pathways tied to computer science skills, including health IT at Valley Health and major manufacturing investments that are expected to bring jobs to the region. She said the division chose the model that "gives computer science the attention it deserves" and prepares students for local opportunities.
The board did not take a final vote on an implementation ordinance at the meeting; Proctor invited questions and said she and principals will continue refining scope and scheduling ahead of full implementation.
