Computer science develops students’ computational and critical thinking skills and
teaches them how to create—not just use—new technologies. This fundamental
knowledge is needed to prepare students for the 21st century, regardless of their
ultimate field of study or occupation. Computer science courses should count toward
math or science entrance requirements for higher education.

Computer science is driving job growth and innovation throughout our economy
and society. More than half of projected jobs in STEM fields are in computing
occupations; these occupations dominate “help wanted” ads; and computer science
is one of the hottest degrees for new college graduates. In fact, by 2018, New
Hampshire will need to fill 40,830 STEM-related jobs, and 54% of these jobs will be
in computing.

Current computer science courses often do not count towards a student’s core math
or science requirements from high school – they are treated as electives. Given the
academic demands, college-bound students cannot afford to take computer science
as an elective. Further, higher education often does not allow computer science
courses to satisfy a math or science entrance requirement. Counting computer
science as a math or science credit would not require schools to offer computer
science or students to study it; it simply allows existing computer science courses to
satisfy a core requirement that already exists.

To learn more about making computer science count, visit http://code.org.