September 17, 2009

Fear and anxiety are less present in the CS and Engineering departments of most universities than in the past few years.  Why?  Their enrollment is not shrinking anymore, and even growing slightly at the top universities.  It remains to be seen if retention of those students already enrolled will be good.  It’s good news overall  – the large research institutes will continue to get research funding, and will have the students available to do the work. The small schools won’t lose their faculty because their departments are under-enrolled.  So why is there still an issue about the pipeline?

Enrollment has increased 6.2% in some places.  What hasn’t increased is the amount of women and underprivileged minorities getting the necessary qualifications, finding the field appealing, enrolling and sticking through to graduation.  Why does it matter?

Until we create an educational and cultural environment that places value on computer science and engineering as worthwhile, engaging and accessible careers to all, we are dooming our own future by the lack of innovation that a diverse group of well educated, creative professionals could bring to solving our current and future problems.

There’s some great actions being taken to examine the issues.  This summer, my company had the privilege of producing the minutes and final report of the Future of Computing Education Summit, organized and hosted by some very effective and dynamic educators and industry people.   The Summit was funded by a grant by NSF, with principal investigators Mark Guzdial, Jane Prey, Heikki Topi, and Joe Urban.  These Fab Four are well known and respected for their ability to get things done, and attracted a broad coalition of organizations involved in k-20 STEM efforts.

The report stressed that perception of computer science is a key issue in the low numbers of women and minority students choosing it as a career.  The ACM education board will be meeting next weekend, and I’m waiting to see what they decide to do.  Changing perception means changing culture – that takes a big commitment.

If you know anything that works to change perception, let me know.