December 04, 2017

Kilmer and Colleagues Introduce Resolution Calling for Increased Computer Science Education in K-12 Schools

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06), joined by Reps. Daniel Lipinski (IL-03), Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), and Scott Taylor (VA-02) introduced a resolution calling for an increase in public-private partnerships that expand computer science education to more K-12 classrooms.

“Education is the doorway to economic opportunity,” Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) said. “Efforts to strengthen computer science programs will provide more job opportunities for our kids, more qualified employees for local employers, and more economic resiliency for our communities and our country.  That’s why this resolution makes sense.”

"Right now, only forty percent of schools teach computer programming, even though computing jobs are projected to grow at twice the rate of all other jobs," stated Congressman Scott Taylor. "The job landscape in America is rapidly changing. We need to equip our children with the skills to be competitive in a 21st Century global economy."

“I'm happy to join with Rep. Taylor in introducing this legislation which recognizes the great contributions of so many private institutions who work with our schools to bring more and better computer science learning opportunities to students," said Congressman Dan Lipinski. "This includes organizations like Girls Who Code, which operates clubs that give girls opportunities to develop coding skills and build apps through after-school and weekend programs.  We need partners like this if we’re going to meet the tremendous demand for computer science talent in the job market of today and tomorrow.”

“In the 3rd District of Tennessee and around the nation, there are an increasing number of job openings with state-of-the-art technology that require specialized technical training. However, I constantly speak to employers who voice concern that our workforce supply cannot meet this demand. It is estimated that by 2020 there will be 1 million vacant computing jobs with a significant lack of technically trained candidates to fill these positions,” Congressman Fleischmann said. “To address this pressing issue, public and private sectors need to make a greater investment in high skill technical education and workforce development training. This effort must begin in our K-12 classrooms, so we can equip our future generations with the training necessary to fill the increased demand for technical jobs.”

It is projected that by 2020 there will be 1.4 million computer-science-related jobs available, but only about 400,000 computer science graduates to fill them, resulting in a $500 billion opportunity gap. According to the Computer Science Education Coalition, in grades K-12 over 60% of students do not have access to Computer Science education, despite the fact 9 out of 10 parents say they want it taught in their children's schools.