SPRINGDALE — Correction: Asa Hutchinson, a Republican candidate for governor, referred to his son-in-law, David Wengel, while announcing a plan Monday for computer science to be taught in all Arkansas high schools. Wengel’s first name was incorrect in this article.
Asa Hutchinson wants computer science to be taught in all Arkansas public high schools.
And if elected governor, the Republican candidate said he’ll work with the state Legislature to pass a law so computer-science courses count toward core high school graduation credit in math or science.
On Monday, Hutchinson unveiled what he said is a plan to make Arkansas a national leader in technology education and job creation, with the two goals above as its key elements.
Currently, computer science is taught in only about 10 of Arkansas’ 350 high schools, said Hutchinson. Nationwide, the ratio is about 1 out of 10 high schools, he said.
Schools in Arkansas don’t offer computer science because it is not a core credit course, and when it is offered few students participate because they don’t receive math or science credit, said Hutchinson.
Only 17 states allow computer-science credit to be counted toward graduation in the math or science fields, said Hutchinson.
By 2020, there will be 1.4 million jobs in the computing field in the U.S. and a shortage of people to do those jobs,he said.
“The good news for Arkansas is our nation is behind, so Arkansas really has the opportunity to be at the forefront of the computer-science field,” Hutchinson said at a news conference at the Springdale public schools administration building.
“Learning to code is one of the best paths to entrepreneurship as you can start a profitable business withlittle or no up-front capital,” Hutchinson said in a news release Monday. “While millions of Americans are unemployed, the nation suffers from a severe shortage of people who can write computer software. This skill set is in demand not just in the tech sector, but in banking, entertainment, medicine and virtually every area.”
Hutchinson said he estimates the cost of full implementation of his proposal to be less than $1 million. High schools won’t have to hire new teachers, he said. They can train existing math or science teachers to teach computer science. That training could take two years and eventually could be done through Arkansas colleges, he said.
Under Hutchinson’s plan, computer-science courses will include topics such asanalyzing data, coding, programming, Web design, robotics, security issues and algorithmic applications.
Hutchinson said his top priorities are economic growth and job creation.
Nationally only 2 percent of students study computer programming, according to a Feb. 26 article in USA Today that Hutchinson cited Monday. If that’s tripled to 6 percent, the gap between students and jobs would close, driving $500 billion in economic value to the country, he said.
Hutchinson said he got the idea for the expansion of computer-science classes from his son-in-law, Doug Wengel of Little Rock, who works in the technology field.Hutchinson said his granddaughter, Ella Beth Wengel, 11, did the computer coding for his mobile application, Asa for Arkansas, through ibuildapp.com.
Curtis Coleman, another candidate for the Republican nomination for governor, said Hutchinson’s proposal would increase government mandates.
“While the computer science initiative he’s advocating will be beneficial, Mr. Hutchinson’s proposal as a comprehensive educational policy for Arkansas is distressingly lacking in visionand leadership,” Coleman said in a prepared statement. “[Hutchinson’s] policies do not address the exploding number of government-mandated standards and programs that prevent our outstanding teachers from teaching …. His proposals inadequately address the need to put ‘shop’ back in high school and more fully tune our community colleges to equipping their graduates with the skills Arkansas employers desperately need.”
During the news conference, Hutchinson was asked if this amounts to a government mandate for Arkansas schools.
“I would like to think that by setting the goal andthe vision and making this a course offering and training the teacher, you’re doing two things: You’re giving credit and you’re making the course available through incentives and leadership,” said Hutchinson. “I believe the schools will fall into place and train the teachers for that purpose, so I don’t think we’ll need a mandate to accomplish that.”
Regarding the Arkansas workforce, Hutchinson said during the news conference that Acxiom needed 300 to 400 employees a year or so ago and couldn’t find appropriately trained employees in Arkansas. Other Arkansas companies, such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc., also need more employees with computer skills, he said. The demand for such employees will only increase, Hutchinson said.
State Rep. Debra Hobbs, R-Rogers, who is also running for the Republican nomination for governor, didn’t return a telephone call seeking comment late Monday afternoon.
Patrick Burgwinkle, spokesman for the Democratic Party of Arkansas, released a statement Monday afternoon saying that while in Congress, Hutchinson voted against funding for science education, Pell grants and reducing classroom size.
“Hutchinson is a career politician whose anti-education record is clear,” said Burgwinkle. “Hutchinson’s record on education is oneof voting against a modern science education for students, against making college more affordable for working families and against smaller classrooms for students and teachers.”
Hutchinson didn’t respond to an email seeking a response to Burgwinkle’s comment.
In the news release, Hutchinson noted that under his proposal computer science wouldn’t be a requirement for all high schools students. But it should be available for those who want to study in that field, he said.
The primary election will be May 20 and the general election Nov. 4.
Northwest Arkansas, Pages 7 on 01/14/2014