Younger students to take typing classes as keyboards become ubiquitous

Creative commons photo of a fourth grade class practicing their typing courtesy flickr user woodleywonderworks.

A class that for decades was generally part of the middle school experience is now more frequently being taught in elementary classrooms. Teachers in a number of states are incorporating typing into their lesson plans for second graders and even younger students, according to the Washington Post.
Common Core academic standards adopted by 45 states and the District of Columbia (Alaska, Nebraska, Texas and Virginia have not adopted the standards) expect students to have a good grasp of technology and be able to use the internet for research. Standardized tests on the new material are scheduled to begin in the 2014-15 school year. They require the youngest students be able to use a keyboard and mouse. Composing stories and other online writing requirements are expected to begin in the third grade.