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New course aims to increase diversity in Georgia’s computer science classes

March 21, 2017 Atlanta - Dr. Leah dee Kilgore, STEM instructor, teaches her students Katherine Hernandez (right), 16, during AP Computer Science Principles class at Berkmar High School on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Some metro Atlanta schools are a testing ground for the latest effort to get more girls and non-white students interested in computer science. The College Board has created a new Advanced Placement course called Computer Science Principles. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Credit: Hyosub Shin

Credit: Hyosub Shin

March 21, 2017 Atlanta - Dr. Leah dee Kilgore, STEM instructor, teaches her students Katherine Hernandez (right), 16, during AP Computer Science Principles class at Berkmar High School on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Some metro Atlanta schools are a testing ground for the latest effort to get more girls and non-white students interested in computer science. The College Board has created a new Advanced Placement course called Computer Science Principles. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM
By
April 4, 2017

College Board officials this school year started a new course to add more diversity to its computer science classes.

The Advanced Placement class, Computer Science Principles, is being taught in several Georgia schools including Gwinnett County's Berkmar High School. Last school year, there were no girls in a similar class taught by Leah dee Kilgore, she said. This year, there are 19 girls in her classes, Kilgore said.

“It’s about breaking that cycle,” she said.

To read more about the issue, click here.

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About the Author

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

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