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WA Gov. Sides With Microsoft: Philanthropy-Funded K-12 CS Education Now the Law
theodp writes: During public hearings on WA State's House Bill 1813, which took aim at boys' historical over-representation in K-12 computer classes, the Office of the WA State Superintendent of Public Instruction voiced concerns that by relying on the generosity of corporations, wealthy individuals, and nonprofits to fund STEM, computer science, and technology programs, learning opportunities would be limited to a small group of students, creating disparity of opportunity. "If this is a real priority," pleaded Chris Vance, "fund it fully" (HB 1813, like the White House K-12 CS plan, counts on philanthropy to make up for tax shortfalls). But legislators in the WA House and Senate — apparently more swayed by the pro-HB 1813 testimony of representatives from Microsoft and Microsoft-backed TEALS and Code.org — overwhelmingly passed the bill, sending it to Governor Jay Inslee for his signature. Not to worry. On Wednesday, the bill was signed into law by Gov. Inslee, who was perhaps influenced by the we-need-to-pass-HB-1813 blogging of Microsoft General Counsel and Code.org Board member Brad Smith, who coincidentally is not only responsible for Microsoft's philanthropic work, but was also co-chair of Gov.-elect Inslee's transition team. The WA state legislative victory comes less than 24 hours after the San Francisco School Board voted to require CS instruction beginning with preschool.
Women tend to gravitate towards meaningful projects. Women are also implicitly discriminated against by the traditional "boys only club" mentality that predominates the technology and science cultures.
Provide meaningful projects in gender-neutral environments and women may very well gravitate towards them. So will plenty of other people of any gender.
Why does nobody ever worry about boys under-representation on things, like Nursing ?
Every time this topic comes up some moron bleats about men in nursing. And every time someone posts links to show they're wrong.
You didn't bother to use google. You didn't bother to read responses on any of the previous threads. Your UID is low, and you're moderately active. You've seen those threads, no doubt. Basically you revel in your ignorance. I seriously can't be arsed to post links yet again again again about where in fact people do care about the lack of men in nursing because clearly they'll bounce right off you.
You may now wish to consider why you have an axe to grind and what you hope to achieve by grinding it so vigorously.
SJW n. One who posts facts.