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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Computing technology is an integral part of modern
3culture and is transforming how people interact with each other
4and the world around them; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Computer science builds students' computational,
6critical thinking, and deeper learning skills, which enables
7them to understand and create, instead of simply using, the
8next generation of technological tools; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Computer science is transforming industry,
10bolstering productivity in established economic sectors, and
11driving job creation and innovation throughout our State's
12economy; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Providing access to computer science education is
14a critical step toward ensuring that Illinois remains
15competitive in the global economy and strengthens its
16cybersecurity; and
 
17    WHEREAS, The outlook for computer science jobs is bright,
18with over 500,000 open computing positions across the country;
19and
 
20    WHEREAS, Participation in high-quality computer science

 

 

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1activities exposes students to the rich opportunities the field
2offers; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Computing occupations make up two-thirds of all
4projected new jobs in STEM fields, making computer science one
5of the most in-demand college majors; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Computer science education has challenges to
7address, including counting computer science classes towards
8high school graduation requirements and providing professional
9development for computer science teachers; and
 
10    WHEREAS, There are fewer advanced placement (AP)
11examinations taken in computer science than in any other STEM
12subject area; and
 
13    WHEREAS, The field of computer science has significant
14equity barriers to address, including attracting more
15participation by females and underrepresented minorities to
16all levels and branches; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Student exposure to computer science at a young
18age has the potential to address the diversity gap in computer
19science fields; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Girls who take an AP computer science course in

 

 

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1high school are 10 times more likely to major in computer
2science in college; African American and Latino pupils who take
3the course in high school are over seven times more likely to
4major in computer science in college; therefore, be it
 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
6HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
7we declare the month of September 2020 as Computer Science
8Education Month in the State of Illinois and encourage
9cutting-edge professional development for computer science
10teachers and exposure to computer science concepts for all
11students, with opportunities provided for females and
12underrepresented minorities.