Our Opinion: Parson should sign STEM bill

We encourage Gov. Mike Parson to sign a bill that will position our state better to compete in the ever-growing technology field.

Parson called a special legislative session in September, in part to fix a flawed version of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) bill that passed during the regular session. The Legislature delivered, passing House Bill 3.

The measure deals with computer science, expanding course opportunities for high school students, creating a certification process for teachers, establishing a fund for any future public and private financial support, and developing curriculum standards.

It also would create a STEM awareness program for middle school students.

On Tuesday, we reported the bill has widespread support from business and education interests.

Code.org’s “2018 State of Computer Science Education — Policy and Implementation” report notes, “Universities in the state did not graduate a single new teacher prepared to teach computer science in 2016.”

That’s true for other states as well, according to the report.

If Parson does sign HB3, the Legislature must follow up with increased funding to hire teachers qualified to teach in the different areas of technology, plus funding for professional development for those teachers.

Getting tech teachers in rural areas is particularly a challenge. The report notes 37 percent of urban schools in Missouri teach computer science, but only 26 percent of rural schools do.

Gender, geographic, racial, ethnic and economic disparities also exist.

Code.org’s report found just 20 percent of advanced placement computer science exams were taken by females in 2017, and only 10 percent were taken by minorities.

Among other things, the legislation would allow high school computer science credits to count toward a math, science or practical arts credit needed for graduation. The legislation also would create an online course intended to boost career awareness for science, technology, engineering and mathematics professions.

Katie Hendrickson, director of state government affairs for Code.org, said Missouri doesn’t have nearly enough computer science graduates to fill the 10,130 computing job openings in the state.

We urge Parson to sign the bill, which we believe will keep our state competitive in STEM jobs, while also increasing opportunities for our youth to enter technology careers.

News Tribune