The Importance

Of Computer Science

To the Editor:

The US House of Representatives has designated the first week of December as “National Computer Science Education Week.” Citing the influence of computing technology as a significant contributor to US economic output, the House resolution calls on educators and policymakers to improve computer science learning at all educational levels, and to motivate increased participation in computer science.  Kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) education has fallen woefully behind in preparing students with the fundamental computer science knowledge and skills they need for 21st Century careers.

 The Association for Computing Machinery is partnering with Microsoft, Google, Inc, and Intel, as well as the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), and the Computing Research Association (CRA), to build awareness of computer science education as a national priority. Lucy Sanders, CEO and co-founder of the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) (www.ncwit.org), pointed to ongoing efforts by NCWIT, ACM, CSTA, and other organizations to address the need for a comprehensive computer science curriculum for K–12 students and to attract more women and minority groups to the field. “This annual commemoration can bolster our efforts to inform students, teachers, parents, and the general public about how computer science enables innovation in all science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines to create economic opportunities,” she said.

Computer science, which is at the core of the development of new technologies, should be taught to all students. Teaching computer science is essential to the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills. Technology is an integral part of life in the 21st Century, and our schools have an obligation to prepare our children for the future.

I would like to encourage everyone to take the time to celebrate computer science during the week of December 5–11. Please show your support of computer science education and visit the Computer Science Education Week website (www.csedweek.org) to sign a pledge to raise awareness of the role computing plays in our lives and to promote computer science education for all students.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Patrice Gans

Technology Teacher

Fraser-Woods School

173 South Main Street, Newtown                           December 5, 2010