Eyeing jobs potential, KC Tech Council celebrates MO governor’s signing of STEM education bill
November 1, 2018 | Austin Barnes
Support for STEM and the Missouri tech space is uploading in Jefferson City, Ryan Weber said in light of successful legislation that will reformat the way high school students benefit from technology courses.
A bill increasing access to computer science courses — which gained a second life during a special session in September after previously being vetoed — was signed into law Tuesday. It allows such classes to fulfill math and science requirements in Missouri high schools.
“When this legislation was vetoed in May, we were concerned about the message it would send to tech employers,” said Weber, KC Tech Council president and an advocate for the bill.
Missouri school districts will adhere to the law during the 2019-2020 school year, he added.
Previously vetoed by Gov. Mike Parson, the bill was originally considered to favor a specific education provider when introduced by state Sens. Doug Libla and Travis Fitzwater in January. Parson urged lawmakers to return to the drawing board, acknowledging the bills relevancy, Weber said.
“Gov. Parson has conducted a statewide campaign supporting the need for a skilled workforce in Missouri,” Weber said. “His leadership on this issue has been overwhelming and cannot be understated.”
Passage of the bill falls in line with the governor’s prioritization of STEM education, he added.
A hurdle jumped, STEM proponents must not rest, Weber urged.
“Soon the state will have to consider how to properly fund computer science education and professional development for teachers,” he said of ways the tech community will need to continue their role as advocate.
Legislation like the newly passed bill further promotes efforts to build a broader tech-skilled workforce in Kansas City, Weber said, citing statistics that revealed weak spots in the metro.
According to reports, there are more than 10,000 vacant computing jobs in Kansas City with less than 2,000 tech skilled workers to fill them, he said.
Missouri this week became the 41st state to pass such STEM legislation, Weber said, signaling a clear commitment to building a broader tech skilled workforce.
2018 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Show-Me Honeywell: How this high-security KC tech campus became a one-day classroom for Missouri school leaders
A group of Missouri educators, counselors and administrators took a summer trip across the state to visit notable companies and learn firsthand about relevant career pathways for their students, detailed Brian Crouse. Among the behind-the-scenes looks: a rare glimpse into the work at Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies, which manages the U.S. Department of Energy’s…
PHKC awards $25K to Alchemy Sandbox winners; It’s amazing when someone understands your vision, founder says
Year one challenges can be difficult for entrepreneurs to swallow, James Thomas noted, but he’s raising a cup to the first anniversary of Brain Freeze Mobile Daiquiri Shop with validation and a splash of funding. Two days after completing The Porter House KC’s fourth small business development cohort and competing in its finale competition, Thomas…
After his eye-catching KCI installation took flight, Willie Cole had 100+ horns leftover; He kept building
Willie Cole didn’t choose to be an artist. It’s always been part of him. “I think I was an artist in a previous life,” said the contemporary American sculptor, printer and perceptual engineer. “When I was 3 years old, my mom found me drawing in the kitchen, and since then, my family always said I…
Lawrence cybersecurity startup raises $1.85M pre-seed round led by KC’s Flyover Capital
A startup focused on detecting hidden malware and preventing costly ransomware attacks announced a power-packed pre-seed funding round to push its pending launch — with the backing of a trio of high-profile regional investors. The investment in cybersecurity pioneer Invary was led by Flyover Capital, with additional participation from NetWork Kansas GROWKS Equity program, and…