What it tells me is that the journalist is using rhetoric to persuade you into thinking that the computer science program is badly designed, failing to serve poor students like Becca.
This writer's only sources for information about the computer science curriculum appear to be Becca and Dr. Justin Yi, the department chair. Your quote is from Yi, who follows up with this paragraph:
That’s because, he said, these types of academic programs were created to cater to an elite few. They weren’t tailored for the masses. As technology has started to touch every part of our lives, university programs haven’t caught up.
In other words, the program is designed to teach a smart, highly-motivated person how computers work and how to use them, which definitely includes programming and in no way precludes "becoming a developer".
I think we're in agreement, except for a minor point:
> which definitely includes programming and in no way precludes "becoming a developer".
You can of course be a computer scientists and a developer (I'd even say that's an excellent choice), but the point is that a CS education isn't a "programming" education. If you approach CS because you want to program (say, you want to be a web developer, you are in a hurry to start your startup, etc.) you're going to be disappointed. This is because the focus of CS isn't programming languages, but theory. If you like studying logic, proofs, math, theoretical models and you also like programming, then CS is your game!
the point is that a CS education isn't a "programming" education.
I really disagree. Computer Science is supposed to be a comprehensive, top-to-bottom foundation for working with
computers-- either solving problems with them or advancing knowledge and understanding about them. Programming is a fundamental tool for working with computers. You won't get a worthwhile computer science degree without learning to program (not that bad programs can't exist, or that it's not possible to squeak by with passing grades without learning anything).
Computer science doesn't just cover theory and math, but algorithms, data structures, computer architecture, operating systems, networks, and compilers.
I would agree that computer science has a more general focus than "programming." I would also agree that a 4-year investment in a bachelor degree might not always be cost-effective or the best use of your time.
But those caveats aside, A Computer Science degree should be a fine foundation for software development.
What it tells me is that the journalist is using rhetoric to persuade you into thinking that the computer science program is badly designed, failing to serve poor students like Becca.
This writer's only sources for information about the computer science curriculum appear to be Becca and Dr. Justin Yi, the department chair. Your quote is from Yi, who follows up with this paragraph:
That’s because, he said, these types of academic programs were created to cater to an elite few. They weren’t tailored for the masses. As technology has started to touch every part of our lives, university programs haven’t caught up.
In other words, the program is designed to teach a smart, highly-motivated person how computers work and how to use them, which definitely includes programming and in no way precludes "becoming a developer".