Western Free Press - Lawmakers to Recognize Importance of Computer Science in STEM

Op-Ed

By Congressman David Schweikert

Software code is the engine that keeps the modern world running. It is ubiquitous in everyday objects --keypad door locks, home automation systems, our mobile phones, cars, TVs--even refrigerators and stoves. Despite this, only 1 in 10 schools offer computer programming classes to K-12 students.

With the rise in demand for computer programming skills in the technology sector and a lack of classes available in American public schools, it's not surprising to hear experts in the field worry about the future workforce. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there will be over 9 Million jobs in the STEM fields--half of which will be in computing.

To help close this gap, my colleagues and I recently introduced The Computer Science Education Act of 2013,(H.R. 2536). This legislation gives school administrators the chance to offer Computer Science as part of their schools' science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) curricula.

Unfortunately, in the last school year only 9 states allowed computer science courses to count toward secondary school core graduation requirements. The Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) has also found that many states don't even have a certification process for computer science teachers.

H.R. 2536 would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to define computer science as a core subject and give more than just 9 states the option to make computer science an area of focus. The bill also includes computer science teachers to create and participate in professional development activities. Not only would this law enable districts to allocate time and energy towards STEM and computer science, but change the attitude towards STEM learning and give students the option to choose a trajectory that will find them work after school.

It is my belief that our public school systems and the federal government's education efforts can create the most opportunity for our young people through options and choices. This bill creates opportunity for administrators to give students the option to learn a skill that guarantees job readiness.

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