Washington, D.C. – October 21, 2009 - Last evening the House of Representatives unanimously approved H. Res. 558, a resolution introduced by Committee on Science and Technology Vice Ranking Member Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), supporting computer science and the designation of a National Computer Science Education Week.
“I am very pleased that today we are considering a resolution which turns our attention to the coming shortage of computer scientists,” Ehlers said. “You know that I have spent a lot of my time in Congress fighting for improved research and education, particularly education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or ‘STEM.’ I believe these subjects hold special promise for the future of our nation and its workforce, and that it is very critical that all of our nation’s students receive a foundation in STEM. This prepares students to become the innovators of tomorrow. Without innovation, our nation and its economy will be on a declining path.”
Computing technology and the innovations it yields are transforming our world and are critical to the global competitiveness of our economy. According to a study by the Computer Science Teachers Association, even in schools which employ computer science teachers, only a little more than half of the schools offer introductory courses in computer science, and the number of course offerings are declining. If we do not reverse that trend, we will become a second-class nation.
“By introducing students to computer science at an early age and providing them with learning experiences in computer science at all educational levels, we can reverse this trend and expand and diversify our technology workforce, and, above all, train our students for the jobs of the future,” Ehlers noted.
Ehlers also expressed appreciation to Professor Joel Adams, who first alerted Ehlers to the declining enrollments in computer science training.
To raise awareness about the challenges facing computer science education, H. Res 558 designates the week of December 7 as National Computer Science Education Week to honor the birthday of Grace Murray Hopper, one of the first female computer scientists.