by Roberta Robinette
If you look up the phrase “computer science in Colorado K-12 schools” you’ll find thousands of results. Apparently it’s a hot discussion topic.
As it should be. With more than 13,000 computing jobs available in Colorado with an average annual salary of $95,000, it’s not surprising Coloradans are seeking aligned educational opportunities. In fact, nine in 10 parents want their children to learn computer science while in school.
Despite this demand from families and businesses, there is no mention of technology or computer science skills in Colorado’s current K-12 academic standards.
With Colorado’s 2017 legislative session well under way, a solution is in sight: HB-1184, Modern Technology Education in Public Schools. This bill would move computer science out of the background and into the forefront of education in Colorado.
HB-1184 would accomplish this by:
- Embedding technology skills into Colorado’s current content standards, which are slated to be revised in 2018,
- Creating a publicly available and voluntary resource bank for schools and districts interested in computer science, and
- Removing barriers that prevent industry experts from co-teaching in the classroom.
As one of Colorado’s top employers, AT&T knows that our success relies on the strength of our workforce. That is why we have invested so much in education initiatives and talent development in Colorado and nationwide; from helping current employees earn nano-degrees to providing financial education grants.
Roberta Robinette was a member of Colorado Succeeds Board of Trustees from 2015-2018 and is a former President of External Affairs for ATT. This piece originally appeared in the Colorado Springs Gazette. Read the full piece here.