Join the Center for American Progress for a discussion about the importance of K-12 computer science education for maintaining U.S. economic competitiveness, preparing students for the good jobs of the future, and expanding opportunities for underrepresented communities.
Currently, there are more than 500,000 unfilled computing jobs, but U.S. universities produced only 40,000 computer science graduates in 2014. Of those 40,000 graduates, only 9 percent are Hispanic and 8 percent African American. It is critical that all students, regardless of their racial backgrounds or zip codes, have access to the jobs of the future, which increasingly require computer science training. CAP is convening a group of experts to discuss the importance of K-12 computer science education and strategies for achieving greater equity and opportunity for all students to access these powerful skills.
This discussion will provide business, nonprofit, and government perspectives on K-12 computer science education’s ability to help grow the U.S. economy and prepare our young people for the jobs of the future in an increasingly globalized economy.
Keynote remarks:
Rep. Suzan DelBene , (D-WA)
Featured panelists:
Fred Humphries, Corporate Vice President of U.S. Government Affairs, Microsoft
Hadi Partovi, Founder, Code.org
Ruthe Farmer, Senior Policy Adviser for Tech Inclusion, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President
Dr. Jamika Burge, Founder and Principal, Design & Technology Concepts
Moderated by:
Catherine Brown, Vice President of Education Policy, Center for American Progress