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Abstract
Leaders in education and industry have long emphasized the need for high school graduates to improve knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Given the immense impact of technology on both the domestic US job market and the global economy in the twenty-first century, computer science preparation will be critical for students to receive a quality education and gain the skills needed to pursue careers in cutting-edge fields. Access to quality computer science education, particularly for low-income, Latina/o students, hinges on the recruitment and preparation of a diverse teaching workforce. This paper examines the current STEM educational landscape for all students, particularly Latina/os, as well as the career and college readiness opportunities that exist in computer science. In addition, this paper explores the need to recruit well-prepared, culturally competent teachers if we are to meet the demands for STEM knowledge and skills for the coming century.
Computer Science Career Opportunity
As society becomes more dependent on technology, a student's understanding of basic technology knowledge, such as the use of social media or word processing software, proves inadequate. The skills acquired in computer science education, as opposed to basic technology literacy, can be applied to many areas in STEM fields, which are necessary for maintaining scientific and innovative stature in the global market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that by the year 2020, 4.2 million new jobs will exist in computing and information technology in the United States, making these fields among the fastest-growing occupations. Further, these jobs pay 75 percent more than the national median annual salary. Moreover, according to the BLS, Latinos will account for three-quarters of the growth in the nation's labor force by that same year. With national focuses on STEM and STEM education, we must also distinguish the importance of computer science and the increase in computing jobs-67 percent of all new jobs in STEM are in computing; yet, only 8 percent of STEM graduates major in computer science. Finally, the wide range of jobs requiring computing professionals varies-two-thirds of computing jobs are in sectors outside information technology. Computational skill continues to prove necessary for schools to prepare students, regardless of their ultimate field of study or career path.
As the role of...