Senator wants foreign language credit given for programming

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Senate President Pro Tem David Givens wants students who study computer programming to be given credit for learning a foreign language.

The Greensburg Republican told The Courier-Journal (http://cjky.it/1K7lgrQ ) that computer programming is a language itself, and, in his words, "it’s foreign to a lot of people."

Givens has filed a bill in the General Assembly that would let school districts teach programming as a foreign language credit. It would also allow programming courses to count toward foreign language requirements to enter Kentucky’s public universities.

Givens says the change is needed to prepare the workforce to take on programming jobs expected in coming years.

The Senate approved the measure last year, but it died in the House.

Critics say the bill may sacrifice equally important studies that help students compete.

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