Computer science education bill signed into law

Amelia Havanec • Feb 6, 2018

Feb 6, 2018

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                <h1>Computer science education bill signed into law</h1>
                <h2><p>Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed House Bill 1813 into law today, paving the way for a number of computer science-related improvements in the state  K-12 system. These include the adoption of uniform standards regarding the curriculum of these courses, as well as creating grants and scholarship funds to incentivize teachers</p></h2>
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               <p>By <a href="/author/amelia-havanec-crosscut-com/">Amelia Havanec</a></p> 
              <p><time datetime="2025-02-04T05:00:00-08:00">Feb 6, 2018</time></p>
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            <p>Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed <a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?year=2015&bill=1813&ref=avalancheghost.one">House Bill 1813</a> into law today, paving the way for a number of computer science-related improvements in the state  K-12 system. These include the adoption of uniform standards regarding the curriculum of these courses, as well as creating grants and scholarship funds to incentivize teachers to teach and receive professional development in the subject, critical to expanding the number of computer science classes being taught.</p><p>Dozens of education leaders in Washington and executives from companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Starbucks <a href="https://code.org/washington?ref=avalancheghost.one">signed a letter supporting the bill</a>, which was <a href="http://www.geekwire.com/2015/bill-to-boost-k-12-computer-science-education-in-washington-state-awaits-governors-signature/?ref=avalancheghost.one">passed by both the House and Senate on May 28</a>. "In 36 states, the most common jobs are truck drivers, farmers or secretaries. In Washington, the most common jobs are software developers... [computer science courses are] only offered in 7 percent of our high schools," they said.</p>
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Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed House Bill 1813 into law today, paving the way for a number of computer science-related improvements in the state K-12 system. These include the adoption of uniform standards regarding the curriculum of these courses, as well as creating grants and scholarship funds to incentivize teachers to teach and receive professional development in the subject, critical to expanding the number of computer science classes being taught.

Dozens of education leaders in Washington and executives from companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Starbucks signed a letter supporting the bill, which was passed by both the House and Senate on May 28. "In 36 states, the most common jobs are truck drivers, farmers or secretaries. In Washington, the most common jobs are software developers... [computer science courses are] only offered in 7 percent of our high schools," they said.

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By Amelia Havanec

Amelia Havanec is Crosscut's Science and Tech Fellow. She came to Washington from her home state of Connecticut by way of New York, Florida, California and Michigan in pursuit of the perfect pint. Sh