Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 265
CHAPTER 191

Relative to California Computer Science Education Month.

[ Filed with Secretary of State  September 05, 2018. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


ACR 265, Berman. California Computer Science Education Month.
This measure would designate the month of September 2018 as California Computer Science Education Month. The measure would encourage schools, teachers, researchers, universities, business leaders, and policymakers to identify mechanisms for teachers to receive cutting-edge professional development to provide sustainable learning experiences in computer science education, and would encourage the exposure of pupils to computer science concepts. The measure would also encourage opportunities to be provided for females and underrepresented minorities in computer science.
Fiscal Committee: NO  
WHEREAS, California Computer Science Education Month highlights the crucial role that computer science plays in transforming our society, and also highlights how computer science enables innovation and creates economic opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Computing technology is an integral part of modern culture, and is transforming how people interact with each other and the world around them; and
WHEREAS, Computer science builds students’ computational, critical thinking, and deeper learning skills, which enables them to understand and create, and not simply use, the next generation of technological tools; and
WHEREAS, Computer science is transforming industry, bolstering productivity in established economic sectors, and driving job creation and innovation throughout our state’s economy; and
WHEREAS, Providing access to computer science education is a critical step for ensuring that California remains competitive in the global economy and strengthens its cybersecurity; and
WHEREAS, The outlook for computer science jobs is bright, with over 500,000 open computing positions across the country; and
WHEREAS, Participation in high-quality computer science activities exposes students to the rich opportunities the field offers; and
WHEREAS, Computing occupations make up two-thirds of all projected new jobs in STEM fields, making computer science one of the most in-demand college majors; and
WHEREAS, Computer science education has challenges to address, including counting computer science classes towards high school graduation requirements and providing professional development for computer science teachers; and
WHEREAS, There are fewer advanced placement (AP) examinations taken in computer science than in any other STEM subject area; and
WHEREAS, The field of computer science has significant equity barriers to address, including attracting more participation by females and underrepresented minorities to all levels and branches; and
WHEREAS, Student exposure to computer science at a young age has the potential to address the diversity gap in computer science fields; and
WHEREAS, Girls who take an AP computer science course in high school are 10 times more likely to major in computer science in college. African American and Latino pupils who take the course in high school are over seven times more likely to major in computer science in college; and
WHEREAS, In September, the State Board of Education will be presented with Computer Science Standards for potential adoption and recommendations for implementation of computer science education across the state’s K–12 system developed by the computer science strategic implementation plan panel; and
WHEREAS, In September, the Instructional Quality Commission will be presented with a draft computer science strategic implementation plan; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the month of September 2018 as California Computer Science Education Month; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature supports the designation of September 2018 as California Computer Science Education Month; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature encourages schools, teachers, researchers, universities, business leaders, and policymakers to identify mechanisms for teachers to receive cutting-edge professional development to provide sustainable learning experiences in computer science at all educational levels and encourages the exposure of pupils to computer science concepts; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature encourages opportunities, including those provided through existing programs, to be provided for females and underrepresented minorities in computer science; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.