Should Congress Call for Public-Private Partnerships to Expand K-12 Computer Science Education? (H. Con. Res. 95)

What is H. Con. Res. 95?

(Updated April 12, 2018)

This resolution would express Congress’s support for the use of public-private partnerships to bring computer science education to more K-12 classrooms. It notes that there is a workforce shortage in computing fields that’s expected to grow to 1 million computer science-related jobs in 2020, and that less than half of schools teach computer programming.

As a concurrent resolution, this legislation could be passed by both chambers of Congress but wouldn’t be considered binding.

Argument in favor

The shortage of qualified workers to fill a significant number of computer science-related jobs in the U.S. needs to be addressed. Congress expressing support for using public-private partnerships to expand computer science education is a positive step.

Argument opposed

While there is a serious shortage of qualified computer science professionals in the U.S. and public-private partnerships could help the situation, Congress calling it a good idea is less meaningful than actually making them a reality.

Impact

K-12 classrooms; public-private partnerships for computer science education; and Congress.

Cost of H. Con. Res. 95

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Scott Taylor (R-VA) introduced this bill to call for an increase in public-private partnerships that expand computer science education to more K-12 classrooms:

“Right now, only forty percent of schools teach computer programming, even though computing jobs are projected to grow at twice the rate of all other jobs. The job landscape in America is rapidly changing. We need to equip our children with the skills to be competitive in a 21st Century global economy.”

This legislation has the support of 17 bipartisan cosponsors in the House, including 13 Democrats and four Republicans.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Scott Taylor (R-VA) Press Release