Eight Governors Join Bipartisan Coalition of Governors Working to Expand Access to K-12 Computer Science Education

  • 01/23/18

Washington, D.C. – PRNewswire – Governors Asa Hutchinson (R - Ark.) and Jay Inslee (D - Wash.), Co-Chairs of the Governors' Partnership for K-12 Computer Science, welcome eight new members to the group, which is focused on advancing policy, funding, and professional learning to expand access to high quality computer science education.

The new members are Governors Steve Bullock (D - Mont.), Doug Burgum (R - N.D.), Eric Holcomb (R - Ind.), David Ige (D - Hawaii), Kay Ivey (R - Ala.), Matt Mead (R - Wyo.), Ralph Northam (D - Va.), and Tom Wolf (D - Pa.)

"States have an enormous opportunity to promote career-connected learning and bring education policy into the twenty-first century, and by joining this partnership, these governors are committing to be on the frontline as we break down barriers and endeavor to put computer science in every school across the country," said Governor Inslee of Washington. "We are thrilled to welcome these new voices, and their new wealth of expertise, onto our team."

Currently, more than half of all schools in the U.S. do not offer a computer science course. In joining the partnership, these eight governors reinforce their commitment to expanding computer science in their own states and collaborating with the partnership's other members on to improve opportunities for all students.

"We are thrilled to welcome more governors to the partnership as we continue to promote expanded access to computer science education for students across the country," said Governor Hutchinson. "During past legislative sessions, members of the partnership supported policies that increase access to computer science education and prepare students for the careers of the twenty-first century, and we look forward to working on these goals in 2018."

The Governors join Co-Chairs Hutchinson and Inslee, and six other state leaders including Governors Doug Ducey (R - Ariz.), Larry Hogan (R - Md.), Butch Otter (R - Idaho), Gina Raimondo (D – R.I.), Kim Reynolds (R - Iowa), and Brian Sandoval (R - Nev.). Together, they will work collaboratively toward the following three key goals to help increase access to K-12 computer science education in their states:

  • Enable all high schools to offer at least one rigorous computer science course;
  • Fund professional learning opportunities so educators can be prepared to teach these courses; and
  • Create a set of high-quality academic K-12 computer science standards to guide local implementation of courses.
About the Governors' Partnership for K-12 Computer Science
Launched in 2016, The Governors' Partnership for K-12 Computer Science is a group of state leaders committed to advancing policy and funding to expand access to, and increase equity in, K-12 computer science (CS) education. The Partnership shares best practices for computer science education reform that support the expansion of and access to K-12 computer science, including funding opportunities, flexibility, and policy change. Visit www.governorsforcs.org.

Featured

  • MiEN Releases White Paper on Community College Space Innovation

    MiEN Company recently released a new white paper called “Designing New Innovative Spaces for Community Colleges” to address the needs of community colleges post-pandemic, according to a news release. The eight-page guide by Dr. Christina Counts, MiEN Company VP of Education and Marketing, covers topics like the enrollment drop that these schools have seen since COVID-19, the roles they play in higher education and local workforces, and five suggested key changes that can improve students’ experiences.

  • New Jersey PreK–12 School Breaks Ground on New STEM Building

    Saddle River Day School (SRDS) in Saddle River, N.J., recently announced that it has broken ground on the new Dr. Kristen Walsh Hall of Science & Entrepreneurship, according to a news release. The school partnered with DIGroup Architecture for the design of the new facility, which will provide the school with space to expand its STEM and business education classes.

  • University of Connecticut Upgrades Basketball Facility’s AV Systems

    The University of Connecticut recently partnered with Metinteractive to upgrade the AV systems of the Gampel Pavilion basketball facility on its campus in Mansfield, Conn., according to a news release.

  • Fellowes Launches New Textile Collection

    Fellowes Contract Interiors recently partnered with Momentum Textiles & Wallcoverings to launch a new line of high-end-design, cost-effective textiles, according to a news release. Part of Momentum Textiles’ Kickstart collection, the new selection offers high-quality and versatile textiles for both smaller budgets and the early design phase of larger projects.