High school seniors can ace calculus and write persuasive essays—but many still struggle to format a resume, create a spreadsheet, or spot a phishing scam. In a digital-first world, the lack of computer literacy is a gap we can’t afford to ignore. And with the rise of AI, the world is rapidly developing beyond the pace of classrooms. For this reason, computer literacy is essential, and that’s why I’m going to pitch the reason why and what our school: The Tenney School, is doing to prepare our students for the world after graduation!
What is Computer Literacy
The Illinois State Board of Education defines computer literacy as:
…one’s knowledge of and ability to use computers and related technologies efficiently and effectively. More specifically, computer literacy includes knowing what constitutes a computer, the uses and applications for computers, and the impact of computers on society.
In essence, computer literacy prepares students for the rapid development of technology. When preparing students for this, classes will look into things like Excel lessons, resume building, navigating the internet, AI, and more! The goal is to prepare students—in a generalized sense, for the use of computers.
The Skills Gap: Why High School Seniors are Behind
In a study conducted by the National Skills Coalition in 2023, they found that 92% of Jobs in the United States require digital skills whereas as third of workers have “low or no digital skills”. This highlights a gap in our country’s education model in not preparing students for the professional and digital world after school. For this reason, computer literacy is an essential skill that all schools should be encouraged to teach. Just because the next generation is growing up with technology, doesn’t mean they know how to use it.
Why 12th Grade Is the Perfect Time
So how do you effectively teach computer literacy? The question is more complex than you’d think. To start off easy, let’s discuss when to teach computer literacy. At The Tenney School, we’ve found that 12th grade is the best time to dedicate time to teaching this skillset. The reason for this is due to how the availability and time that seniors have over other grade levels. Most students when entering senior year have decided their plans after school. Many have gotten acceptances into universities and have committed to where their going. This relieves a lot of the pressure that was present during junior year. Seniors are also in a better mood and in need of staving off ‘senior-itis’. This is where computer literacy can come in.
Real-World Applications of Computer Literacy
Depending on what your student is planning on doing after graduation—computer literacy can have a positive impact. The impact can range from a variety of different focuses such as: College preparedness, career readiness, and more! So let’s discuss the impact and importance of each one below:
1. College Preparedness
Schools spend 4 years of high school preparing students for the ‘sink or swim’ experience of college. Students are told that it’s up to them to stay motivated and hone the skills needed to be successful when taking college classes. Additionally, colleges are becoming more integrated with digital learning through the use of digital tools like: Canvas, Blackboard, and Moodle that all require students to complete and turn in assignments online. A student who is not equipped with digital literacy skills will have a long up-hill battle as they navigate these online tools when beginning their college academics.
2. Career Readiness
In today’s world, most of—if not all job applications are conducted online. A recent graduate will need to know how to not only craft an online resume but have the skills to maintain and write professional emails, become comfortable with online interviews, and more. Many careers use the online platform for job applications as an additional way to screen potential candidates. If a candidate doesn’t have the computer literacy necessary to interview or complete a resume, then they’ll more than likely struggle to make it past the first round of interviews.
3. Everyday Life Skills
Computer literacy is also rooted in necessary, everyday life skills. Students with a foundational knowledge of computer literacy will be comfortable with digital financial management, online shopping and security, personal organization (through calendar apps), and more! We may not know it, but we utilize computer literacy skills every single day, regardless of your age, profession, or plans for the future.
What We’re Doing About It
Here at The Tenney School, we have a unique approach to computer literacy. Beginning in senior year, students will have classes taught by our college counselor that center on computer literacy. These classes are generally taught in a small group setting where our teacher is able to work with each and every student individually to begin building these necessary skills for their future plans. For students planning on going to college, our teacher can prepare these students by giving lessons on common college tools that are used for managing assignments workload, etc. Additionally we’ll begin showing students how to cite sources in multiple different formats (beyond MLA).
For students looking to go into a professional career, we’ll prepare students on resume building, how to prepare for online interviews, and a general overview of common application used such as: Excel, word, and more.
How Parents and Schools Can Support This Shift
Supporting the shift for computer literacy takes time and patience, and there are multiple things you can do to help your student maximize their growth for computer literacy. An indirect way is advocating for a tech-focused education. Whether that’s talking to your child’s teachers or enrolling your child in a school like Tenney, where we build it directly into our curriculum. On the teacher side, you can begin integrating technology. In a world where technology touches every aspect of life, ensuring 12th graders graduate with true computer literacy isn’t just preparation—it’s empowerment for whatever path they choose next. If you are interested in a school that takes computer literacy seriously, I highly recommend inquiring at The Tenney School! Our one-on-one education has a tech focus without the distractions and can help your child achieve their academic dreams!