Why Computer Science

• Tennessee believes computer science is foundational, not vocational, to a 21st century student and future worker. Access to the content and skills included in computer science and computational thinking are essential to function in the global society in which all students will live. Therefore, we will not limit access to only those who will work in that career field.
• Tennessee’s legislature and Governor agree with the importance of all students having access to high quality computer science instruction; exemplified in Chapter 979 of the Public Acts of 2022. The legislation has allowed funding to flow to meet the demands of the act which you can read about here.

There are four main components/results of the bill:

• K-12 Computer Science Courses and Standards 
• New graduation requirement 
• Teacher endorsement opportunities
• Professional Development to prepare all teachers for implementation

• Across the nation, computer-related occupations are among the fastest growing, producing 1 million jobs over the next 10 years.
• Tennessee led the nation in tech industry job growth between the end of 2019 and the end of 2021, according to a new report from the Technology Councils of America.²  
• Computer and information technology occupations typically have high median wages in Tennessee. Software developers and software quality assurance analysts and testers typically make 2.4 times the median wage of all occupations. Computer programmers and information security analysts typically make 2.2 times the median wage of all occupations.¹ 
• However, in today’s world people in all workforce sectors must have some knowledge and skills in understanding the internet and digital safety, simple productivity apps, and how computers can be problem-solving tools.

• Whether our students go into tech, agriculture, arts, finance, or healthcare, nearly every industry relies on the computational thinking, creativity and problem-solving foundation learned through computer science.
• Provided with computing skills and knowledge, students will discover innovative solutions to pressing problems and pursue college degrees and careers they never thought possible.
• Widely-accessible, quality computer science education will prepare our students to become the innovators and inventors of the future.

• Tennessee has a strong and growing industry sector of Headquarters, Finance & Tech (https://tnecd.com/industries/hq-finance-tech/)  that frequently employ information technology occupations. Tennessee also has unique research and development (R&D) assets and facilities, like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Vanderbilt University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), U.S. Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Complex, and the University of Tennessee, that provide worldchanging technologies to businesses. These assets and facilities also frequently employ information technology occupations. This clustering of industry, R&D, and education drives the need for a skilled computer science workforce in our state.
• To confirm our status as a leader in technology and create an inclusive economy that works for all Tennesseans, we must lead a long-term, strategic approach to provide computational skills to all students, thus ensuring sustainable industry and ingredients for a high quality of life for current and future residents.