A growing number of cities and states across the country are realizing the importance of expanding schools' information technology education programs. The number of businesses that don't depend to a very high degree on technology is small and shrinking fast, and in-depth IT is no longer an area that can reasonably be limited to higher education.
The latest public figure to call for expanded IT training programs is Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, who said this week that she has requested a meeting with New York City Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña to discuss the creation of a specific tech high school diploma and an increase in investment for computer science classes.
Brewer estimates that the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) should invest $25 million over the next five years to purchase the necessary hardware and software to expand training programs throughout the city. She added that Fariña has already expressed willingness to take action.
"We are committed to using technology in our classrooms"
"We are committed to using technology in our classrooms to foster and facilitate student learning and growth and provide our students with the skills for college and beyond," said NYCDOE spokeswoman Devora Kaye in a statement. "We look forward to working with Borough President Brewer and communities across the city to address the urgency of technology education, to better understand and address our schools' technology needs, and to ensure that all our students have access to quality technology curricula and supplies."
On Tuesday, voters throughout the state will decide whether to approve the Smart Schools Bond Act, another public initiative to equip schools with state-of-the-art technology. Authorities hope that computer science education today will make New York a top destination for IT and software developing companies down the road.