CONGRESSMAN Jared Polis 2nd DISTRICT OF COLORADO

Washington, Oct 21 -

Last night, Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO), an internet entrepreneur, led the U.S. House of Representatives in passing bipartisan legislation recognizing the week of December 7, 2009 as National Computer Science Education Week.  The resolution—H.Res. 558—authored by Polis, highlights the importance of computer science education to the growth and diversity of the American workforce. 

“In today’s knowledge-based economy, every child needs to learn the key critical thinking and problem solving skills that are the foundation of a rigorous computer science education,” said Polis.  “This resolution points out the essential need that our students not only use technology, but that they also learn the computing skills needed to grow our economy and invent the technology of the future.”  

A forthcoming report by the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT), based at the University of Colorado in Boulder, clearly demonstrates the ever-growing demand for computer science education:

·         Computing professions rank among the top 10 fastest-growing professions.
·         By 2016, there will be more than 1.5 million computer specialist jobs available.
·         Unfortunately, the talent pool is shrinking fast, as the computer science industry is failing to attract and retain an ample and diverse workforce.  If current trends continue, the industry will be able to fill only half of its available jobs.
·         By 2016, U.S. universities will produce only half of the computer science bachelor’s degrees needed. 

 
“Access to computer science is important to all students and especially to women and severely under-represented minorities,” said Lucy Sanders, CEO and Co-founder of NCWIT.  “Positioning Computer Science Education Week in the birth week of Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, an early American computer scientist, is testimony to the importance of women's participation in the invention of future technology.”  

The text and video of Polis’ remarks are available at www.polis.house.gov.