CTEq Supports the Second Annual Computer Science Education Week

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 5, 2011                       
Contact: Cathleen Healy, (202)524-4381

Spotlighting the Importance of Computer Science to the Future of Education and Innovation

 Washington, DC – As highlighted in a recent Change the Equation (CTEq) blog, computer science is making a comeback which may be attributed to the coolness factor of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and for more practical matters, high-paying jobs. The second annual Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek), running December 5-11, 2010, focuses on the need to build strong computer science education programs in schools to ensure the nation has the skilled workforce it will need to develop future solutions. CSEdWeek aims to foster excitement and support for rigorous and extensive programs in states and local districts.

While current projections show the creation of 1.4 million new computing jobs by 2018, a recently released report from the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), Running on Empty: The Failure to Teach K-12 Computer Science in the Digital Age, found that only nine states count high school computer science courses as a core academic subject in graduation requirements. In addition, K-12 computer science education suffers from a lack of teacher professional development, quality curriculum, student diversity and teacher certification. CSEdWeek demonstrates how local efforts can call attention to these issues, and elevate the status and quality of computer science education.

“This is an excellent opportunity to spotlight the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning in our nation’s schools,” said CTEq CEO, Linda P. Rosen, Ph.D. “Especially the need to focus efforts on girls and students of color who are underrepresented in STEM fields to help them see themselves in a fast growing STEM career.”

For more information on CSEdWeek visit www.csedweek.org.  For more information on Change the Equation, visit www.changetheequation.org.

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 About Change the Equation (CTEq):

CTEq is a non-profit, non-partisan CEO-led initiative to mobilize the business community to improve the quality of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning in the United States. CTEq’s commitment focuses on girls and students of color, who have long been underrepresented in STEM fields.