October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and in the near future North Dakota public school students will be more knowledgeable about the topic.
The state recently adopted a law requiring such curriculum in K-12 schools. High schoolers will have to take either a computer science or cybersecurity course to graduate. Districts have until next summer to develop and approve their own integration plans for these courses.
Ned Clooten, superintendent of Devils Lake Public Schools, said digital threats are not going away anytime soon, and argued it is important students have the ability to learn about them before they reach adulthood.
"Hackers (are) trying to get access to our personal information," Clooten pointed out. "Cybersecurity is a real risk."
Devils Lake has already been offering computer science classes, and Clooten predicted a fairly smooth transition to enhance curriculum under the new law. But he acknowledged it might be harder for smaller districts to add enough staff and other resources, especially amid a nationwide teacher shortage. The North Dakota Center for Distance Education is offering technical assistance for schools needing more help.
Source: publicnewsservice.org
Photo Credit: gettyimages-chagin
Categories: North Dakota, Education