STEM education bill backed by KC Tech Council passes MO Senate, heads back to governor
September 14, 2018 | Austin Barnes
Despite initial pushback, a bill that would broaden access to computer education in Missouri high schools, could be gaining momentum, said Ryan Weber.
If passed, the legislation would increase STEM awareness in public schools and require districts to count computer science courses as math and science credits, the KC Tech Council president and an advocate for the bill said.
Ryan Weber, KC Tech Council
A previous incarnation of the measure was vetoed by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson in July, Weber said.
“It took some wind out of our sails,” Weber said. “We were concerned about waiting until the following year.”
Parson vetoed the bill after reviewing the fine details of a provision that the governor said favored a specific provider of online STEM courses, Weber explained.
“This is a long-term necessity,” he said of opening access through the legislation. “The impact [of a veto] won’t immediately be felt, but without strong STEM and computer science education programs Missouri will lose companies and struggle to attract others.”
Sustaining an adequate talent pool in Kansas City was a key driver of the KC Tech Council’s May Tech Specs report, which found net gain of 11,000 workers in the metro in 2017, but 3,000 jobs remained unfilled.
Weber understands the governor’s position on the previous version of the bill, he said, and is thrilled to see Parson make STEM education a priority of his term, which began after former Gov. Eric Greitens resigned in late May.
“He’s been a real leader on these issues and employers have taken notice,” Weber said.
The latest incarnation of the bill, pushed by state Sens. Doug Libla and Travis Fitzwater, passed the Missouri Senate Friday on a 28-1 vote during a special session to reconsider bills previously vetoed by Parson. Weber testified on behalf of the new legislation.
“There is clear and overwhelming support,” he said. “We all hope the governor will sign the bill this time.”
Similar legislation has already been passed in 40 other states.
“Developing STEM skills ideally should be part of a student’s entire school career,” said Martha McCabe, executive director of the KC STEM Alliance. “The breadth and scope of this field is tremendous. You have not only traditional software development but also networking, hardware repair and smart technologies now offered by many of our metro high schools.”
Great progress today in the #moleg special session toward passing a critical STEM workforce bill! Thanks to @GovParsonMO @travisfitzwater @jeanielauer @HendricksonKA @codeorg @RyanWeberKC @KCTechCouncil @RyanCStauffer pic.twitter.com/0mb8HYRYOM
— Missouri Chamber (@MissouriChamber) September 11, 2018
Featured Business
2018 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Passing the keys, passion: How a new wave of small biz owners plan to preserve beloved local brands
Some have been customers; some employees. Now they’re the new owners of popular local restaurants and retail shops. As founders step aside, fresh sets of entrepreneurs step up in hopes of carrying on the goodwill and loyal following these brands have built up, some for decades. John McClelland and his brother-in-law, Johnathan Griffiths, work together…
Topping expectations: These brothers helped expand Pizza Tascio to 8 locations; now they’re taking over
Erik Borger hired all three Lombardino brothers in their teens, starting them out as dishwashers at his restaurants in St. Joseph, Missouri. They quickly took on other positions — front of house, staff scheduling, food and beverage orders and deliveries, and hiring and firing workers. If an employee didn’t show up for a shift, they…
Nell Hill’s founder returns to retail with ‘this little secret’ — a micro shop with an old-fashioned, in-store experience
Mary Carol Garrity’s last home furnishings store was 18,000 square feet. Her new one? A “petit bazaar” at just 400. Garrity is teaming up with longtime friend, Rebecca Wood, on diebolt’s in Midtown’s Gillham House Antiques & Furnishings. The shop, which is scheduled for an April 19 soft opening, is expected to offer a “fun…
Urban designer behind Royals’ Crossroads ballpark pioneered the modern MLB stadium (and he has the bats to prove it)
It’s difficult to find a Major League Baseball stadium that Earl Santee hasn’t influenced with his philosophy of community-oriented design. Called the “Godfather of ballparks,” Santee — the recently named CEO of Populous and literal architect of the proposed Kansas City Royals ballpark district in the East Crossroads — either designed or renovated two dozen…