SALT LAKE CITY — There are about 5,000 open computing jobs in Utah right now, almost triple the average demand rate for other industries. The average salary for those computing jobs is about $85,000, nearly double the average wage for jobs in the Beehive State.

But only 32 schools in Utah offer an AP Computer Science course, and only 376 AP Computer Science exams were administered in 2018, according to research compiled by nonprofit Code.org.

Utah’s fast-growing tech companies have been aware of a talent gap for awhile as they scramble to find employees to fill their ever-expanding needs. But research shows that unless children are exposed to computer science at an early age, they’re much less likely to choose it as a career.

“Utah’s economy and workforce depend on ensuring that more students have access to computer science education,” according to a new report released in early August.

At the beginning of last year, Gov. Gary Herbert joined forces with thousands of business leaders to sign a letter of support for universal computer science education for all Utah students. Not long after, the public and private sectors came together and committed to bringing computer science education to all Utah K-12 schools by 2022.

Now, Utah’s become the 12th state in the nation to adopt a statewide plan to do so.

“I think, for a long time, computer science has been seen as, ‘Well that’s only if you’re really into technology,’” said Sarah Young, an implementation coach with the Utah State Board of Education.

“Technology is a part of our day-to-day life. And no matter what fields you enter, … all of those have aspects of computer science and problem-solving that are necessary for our kids. So this isn’t for a select group; this is for all Utah kids.”

The plan

The “Utah Computer Science Education Master Plan,” as it is known, is a complex, six-step approach, but Utah parents and students will see the most change in teacher training and school curriculum.

“(Computer science) careers are in such high demand that it’s really tough to get people who know what they’re doing in these classrooms,” Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox told KSL.com in January.

Finding qualified teachers is still one of the most challenging aspects of the plan, Young believes. The state plans to train current teachers to become certified to teach computer science as well as work with universities to certify future teachers.

A grant program passed by the Legislature went into effect in May and appropriates funding for training teachers in computer science to districts that draft a plan showing how they will integrate computer science into all schools.

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Each district will be asked to provide at least one computer course approved by the state in every middle and high school, as well as integrate computer science education into the curriculum of every elementary school within the district.

If a district does not complete a draft, the state board of education will reach out to local educators to see how they can help make it happen, Young said.

Some schools already provide computer science education, but with this new plan it won’t be “luck of the draw.” Every school will include a curriculum that exposes children to computer science early on, she added. And parents, too, will be involved in the change.

The challenges

One of the challenges to the plan will be ensuring that resources and funding remain equal across the state, said Lindsey Kneuven, chief impact officer at Pluralsight — a local tech company that has been working to close the tech talent gap for years and funded the creation of the plan.

Rural and low-income communities are already vulnerable, and ensuring that they don’t now get left behind will be an important part of the plan, Kneuven said. Part of the master plan focuses on reaching out to those communities, as well as those in the Native American community.

Another challenge will be working together, Kneuven said. While the plan is an amazing example of public and private collaboration between local businesses and the state, that also means there are a lot of different players on the field, she said.

“We’re working on shifting a system and integrating and infusing computer science across that system in a way that’s empowering for educators, administrators, parents and students. And that’s really complex,” Kneuven said. “Having that shared commitment over the four years that implementation will take shape, and beyond, will be critical to the success of the plan.”

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