Why Computer Science?

• Computing is ubiquitous; it touches everyone’s daily lives
• Computer science-related jobs remain strong despite extraordinary economic challenges
• Numerous issues depend on computing, including the following:
  • Securing our cyber-infrastructure
  • Protecting national security
  • Implementing electronic health records
  • Increasing efficiency of the energy infrastructure

Why Computer Science Education?

• Provides engaging way to expose students to critical thinking, a key skill for students entering any career
• Instills understanding of computation and computational thinking for success in the digital age
• As the role and significance of computing has grown, the teaching of computer science in K-12 has faded
• Too few students have opportunities to take engaging, rigorous computer science in high school
• There is little ethnic and gender diversity among those who do have opportunities
• Teacher certification for computer science teachers is broken across the states
• Confusion exists between computer science and information technology literacy
• There is too little innovation in creating appropriate curricula for students