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.

Comments

OK

[koan]

So CS classes are critical for our future, while at the same time H1B's are replacing Americans (Disney) and the latest leak of TISA shows they may be simplifying the ability to bring in foreign workers.

in its Schedule, Parties shall allow entry and temporary stay of [contractual service
suppliers and independent professionals 3 ] for a minimum of [X%] of the following
sectors/sub-sectors:
Final wording subject to further discussion, including on the cross-reference to categories in the AU
submission on the temporary entry categories.
4-FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY-
LIMITED
TISA/DEC.2014/negotiating text/MNP
as of 13 February, 2015
Without Prejudice
Computer and related services:
9. Consultancy services related to the installation of computer hardware (CPC 841)
10. Software implementation services (CPC 842)
11. Data processing services (CPC 843)
12. Data base services (CPC 844)
13. Other (CPC 845+849)
Research and Development services:
14. R&D services on natural sciences (CPC 851)
15. R&D services on social sciences and humanities (CPC 852)
16. Interdisciplinary R&D services (CPC 853)

Huh?

Re:I don't see this working

[nbauman]

Females simply don't seem to like software development work much.

Female developers tend to move away from development into project management, as soon as they can.

You describe all of engineering, not just software development: I've seen a lot women grads jump ship to Projects within a couple years of doing actual engineering work after college. Not just at this company either, I've kept track of a lot of my classmates via LinkedIn and it's a very common trend.

I once worked in a company that evaluated new technology for investors. We were writing reports in a Wall Street office. One of my co-workers was a woman with an engineering degree. After she graduated, she got a job in engineering. The way she described it, she sounded like a parody of Cosmopolitan. "I had to go out on the factory floor! I had to wear a helmet!" The kind of thing that I thought was cool, she thought was horrible. So she got a desk job with us.

There are good women engineers, but they're rare, and hands-on women engineers are even rarer. Many male engineers move into management or support roles, and they're useful too. But every female engineer I've met was in a management job where they didn't do things hands-on.

That's my experience. I wonder if anyone has done a formal scientific study.