[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 162 (Monday, December 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CELEBRATING COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION WEEK

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                            HON. JARED POLIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 17, 2012

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I express my support of Computer Science 
Education Week, which occurs this week to celebrate the teaching and 
learning of computer science in our public schools. The week highlights 
activities and advocacy to elevate computer science education for 
students at all levels.
  Computer science is central to our Nation's global economic 
competitiveness. Half of the estimated 9.2 million STEM jobs that will 
be created by the year 2020 will be in computing. Major U.S. 
companies--Microsoft, Oracle and others--have such jobs available now 
but can't fill them because our schools aren't offering them. Despite 
this employment need, public schools in two-thirds of the states treat 
computer science as an elective and only 9 states require computer 
science for high school graduation. Meanwhile, very few states have 
computer science teacher certification and professional development, 
and public schools lack coherent computer science standards and 
assessments.
  My bill, the Computer Science Education Act (H.R. 3014) would address 
these problems through supports to states, local school districts and 
higher education. So I urge you to cosponsor this bill, while joining 
advocates and businesses across the country in honoring Computer 
Science Education Week and supporting a concrete effort to increase 
American jobs.

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