To:

Donna Bahorich
From: Computer Scientists of America
Date: October 10, 2016
Subject: Proposal for introducing students to Computer Science

Introduction
It is our belief that computer science programs are severely underrepresented in the school
curriculum. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 12% rise in computer science jobs in the
next decade despite there being a 17% decline in computer science graduates in the last
decade (Litan, 2015). Not only are educated computer scientists in demand, our students are
interested in the topic. When Arkansas emphasized the importance of Computer Science
classes,we saw a 260% increase in CS enrollment (Sweeney, 2015). Our schools need to follow
Arkansass example and educate our students about the importance of technology in our
society as well as training them to be successful in an increasingly digital workplace.

Statement of Problem
Nationally, Computer Science is the only STEM field that has declined in the past 20 years
according to College Board. The major implications of this problem are three: first, with the
current surplus of computer science positions about 56,000 jobs will be left unfilled (Computer
and Information Technology Occupations); second, this decrease in computer science majors
may result in a decline in computer science teachers, which could contribute to difficulty in
teaching future students; third, this lack of interest in technology could cause problems in other
jobs, because of technologys increasing presence.

Proposed Solution
Our solution to this issue is rather simple, and Im sure you will agree as well. By exposing
children from a younger age to the field of computer science, it will make them more inclined to
look forward to it as a future subject, or as a job prospect. Children of this current generation
have lived all their lives exposed to technology and computers in general, as a result of this they
take for granted what they have been given and a majority of the time think little of what is
needed to create said technology in the first place. By allowing these children and older to
expose themselves to the computer science field, we will kill two birds with one stone: Not only
will more of them likely decide to choose computer science as a future major, but they will also
fill up job openings in the future.
"I like to use the analogy of math. You're not ready for algebra in kindergarten... Students need
to start with the basics; computer science is a similar pathway. The earlier students start, the
more innate and comfortable kids will be, so computer science won't be a brand-new thing when
they see it in eighth or ninth grade like it is now for so many students," says Shaileen Pokress,
PLTW director of instruction for computer science (PLTW Launch). We think the exact same.

Business Proposal

By starting with early exposure to children-- whether it be through free outlets

such as code.org or other sources-- you start allowing them to learn just how vital
computer science is. By working with them at this young age, they are given a chance to
experience the fun and joy it brings.
Moving on from the lower grades, once a child reaches middle school they are at
the proper age to actually expose themselves even more to the field. They can likely
understand and start with basic code, whether it be C++, Java, Python, or other fields
that you decide they may/may not be ready for.
Once in high school, students will finally be ready to take Computer Science
courses. We suggest that-- if they havent already been added to the curriculum as
extracurricular courses-- they should be added to the course list in order to allow
students to fully expand and spread their wings. No matter their age, once they are in
high-school they should be allowed to take courses and build up their understanding on
one if not various types of code.
Allow for volunteers to present and/or give information to students at any point in
time in order to give them a feel for the field in general. Through their own journey and
struggles, volunteers and instructors will be able to prepare students for the future
should they decide to move further in the field. Presentations can start as early as
elementary school and continue even onto high school.

Pricing
The price of hiring a full-time technology teacher, who would help with these new classes and
curriculum, is estimated at $52,477 for one year (GlassDoor). The proposed software classes
being implemented through code.org cost anywhere between being free for the most basic
classes and their hour of code, up to $2,500 per school for the more advanced courses
(Code.org). Presentations could be done on a voluntary basis from people in technology related
fields who would like to contribute their knowledge and expertise.

Our Qualifications
Our Firm was created to address problems relating to the computer science industry and we
have decided to start from the ground up with children. We are a five man team and all have
degrees from Stanford University in Stanford, CA one of the top computer science universities.
President Barack Obama himself has gone on record saying that our ideas should be used to
advance the computer science industry.

Conclusion
Although technology has an ever increasing presence and importance in our daily lives,
statistics have shown that interest in computer technology related fields has been decreasing,
and fewer graduates are getting CS/IT degrees. We believe that a solution is not only possible,
but necessary if we are to keep up with the growing rate of technology related jobs. The
solutions we have proposed, such as integrating computer related games, courses, and
presentations, are both cost and time efficient, and will increase overall interest in technology.

Business Proposal

Business Proposal

References
"2015 Median Pay." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17
Dec. 2015. Web. 10 Oct. 2016.
Hour of Code. Code.org. Unknown. Web. 10 Oct. 2016.
Litan, Robert. "A Lesson From the Decline in Computer-Related Majors." The Wall Street
Journal. Dow Jones & Company, 23 Mar. 2015. Web. 10 Oct. 2016.
"Planting the Roots of Computer Science in Elementary School." Home. N.p., 08 Dec.
2014. Web. 10 Oct. 2016.
"Salary: Technology Teacher." Glassdoor. N.p., 24 June 2016. Web. 10 Oct. 2016.
Sweeney, Erica. "Nearly 4,000 Arkansas Students Enrolled in Computer Science in Fall '15 Arkansas Money & Politics." Arkansas Money Politics. N.p., 22 Oct. 2015. Web. 10 Oct.
2016.