The computer skills requirement, considered to be fairly challenging and rigorous, includes a multiple-choice test as well as a performance test that requires students to demonstrate their ability to use software for word processing, database and spreadsheets. Students also must demonstrate keyboarding skills. State Superintendent Mike Ward said that the first year's results show that even with widespread differences in hardware and software in schools across the state, North Carolina can require and students can demonstrate important understanding of computer skills knowledge and use. It is extremely important that we require students to know how to use computers, but also how to use them effectively and ethically. These tests measure students' ability to demonstrate that knowledge.
Disparities exist in performance among subgroups.
Black and Hispanic students had lower percentages passing than Asian and White students. The percentages for Black students showed that 46 percent passed the first time, with a 56.9 percent passing rate overall. Of American Indian students 45.7 percent passed the first time, and 60.6 percent passed overall. For Asian students 75.1 percent passed the first time they took the test, and 81.6 percent overall passed. The Computer Skills curriculum is designed to be integrated throughout the other subjects of the Standard Course of Study, although some schools also have supplemental computer skills classes for students to hone their skills.