NPR All Tech Considered has a good article on efforts to boost computer science education in our public schools. There is no denying that the statistics are pretty awful – not many kids have the opportunity to learn basic computational thinking and basic computer science skills.
I’m not sure that I completely buy into the thinking that everybody must learn to code (since computers are everywhere) any more than I think everyone should learn to design internal combustion engines (since almost everyone drives a car). I do, however, believe that everyone should basically understand how computers and the Internet work just as you should understand enough about your car to keep it in good working order. Having said this, it is imperative that we give more kids the opportunity to explore CS – we are letting a lot of talent go to other fields just because many kids have no idea that CS is an option.