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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.
Big industry won't be able to claim a shortage of CS workers to justify more H1B visas for long. But by that time, the market will be so over-saturated with software developers, and salaries will plummet - then they won't need H1B visas, because American software devs will be more affordable than foreign workers on H1B visas.
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.
Sure call my sexist, misogynist, whatever. I've been a developer for over 25 years, and am just reporting what I have seen.
At least this won't take too much in the way of tax dollars.
That will mean "Philanthropy" controlled.
“He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
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?
"If any question why we died, Tell them because our fathers lied."
So? If they're going to use anything, they might as well pick the one that's being paid for by someone else. And from what I remember, Apple used to support a lot of schools back in the day (even though ours used PCjrs).
It sounds like sorry boys...and likely non-minorities...you just won't get these opportunities because of your sex and possibly even your race.
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
"During public hearings on WA State's House Bill 1813, which took aim at boy's historical over-representation in K-12 computer classes, the Office of the WA State Superintendent of Public Instruction voiced concerns..."
My problem with the whole "there aren't enough girls in CS" thing is that everyone assumes that males are specifically targeted and tracked into computer-related academic/research/career paths. That's not the case. By and large, it's social outcasts who take up computers as a hobby are tracked into computer-related academic/research/career paths and those social outcasts are more commonly male.
And they will continue to be male. And social outcasts.
So, at best, these kinds of initiatives will just track more female social outcasts into computer-oriented subjects/careers. Want more "normal people" in computer-oriented careers? Fat chance, buddy.
I dont have any issues with additional CS or code education in schools, but we need to reconsider how we go about this. educators should take aim at systemic inequality in the classroom and foster a more collaborative experience for everyone. What we typically get from Microsoft and company is half-assed attempts to make computer science pink, cuddly, and dollhouse-shaped. as fo the whole 'The U.S. is facing a shortage of CS graduates.' drumbeat, it is disingenous in its wording. What Microsoft bemoans is the lack of CS graduates as disposably plentiful and affordable as fry-o-lator cooks at McDonalds. Weve spent so much time asking why everyone doesnt code, that we never stopped to ask if everyone could or even should code.
Good people go to bed earlier.
Yea, this is a great thing to teach our kids ... do things you can't afford to do, and force someone else to pay for it or beg for money to do so.
WTF happened to running a balanced budget and setting a good example to our kids about living within their means, why the fuck are we teaching them in elementary school that you can depend on someone else to give you hand outs to survive.
Its no wonder the rest of the world likes to take our jobs, we're raising a bunch of dependent babies.
GIRLS DON'T FUCKING LIKE COMPUTER SCIENCE, GET THE FUCK OVER IT.
Its not because all men in it are assholes, its BECAUSE THEY DON'T FUCKING LIKE IT. They are wired differently than men, this is a KNOWN AND ACCEPTED FACT to anyone who doesn't have political correctness shoved so far up their ass they can taste it.
Women do somethings better than men, and like some things men don't like, and dislike some things that men like ... conversely, Men do some things better than women, like things women don't like and dislike some things that men like.
YES THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS, but those are tiny number and you don't change everything because someone who doesn't even DO CS work thinks there should be more women in CS work.
Men and women ARE NOT EQUAL. STOP TRYING TO PRETEND THEY ARE.
If you think men and women are 100% equal, then you haven't paid attention to even basic anatomy.
I'm not saying one is better than the other, I'm saying they aren't the same and its fucking stupid to keep shoving shit down the throats of one of the sexes just to appease some douche who things he's crusading for the good of all women.
Persistent Volume manager for Kubernetes - https://github.com/dwimsey/openshift-pvmanager
No, apple gave education a 30% discount (better in some cases) on hardware. They didn't suggest curriculum or standards, nobody came out to your school to say this kid needs such and so, it was just a huge no strings attached gift of hardware. (my experience circa the mid 80's at Bellevue Community College, buying for the student paper)
When did Slashdot turn so misogynist?
Evidence 1: The parent of this post.
Evidence 2: The moderators got it to a 5 rating.
Yes, there's a shortage of programmers. That's why Microsoft laid off 18,000 last year and will layoff another 500 this year.