Growing computer science education in afterschool: Opportunities and challenges

Computer science education is rapidly being recognized as essential for all students to develop into successful citizens of the 21st century. A diverse group of stakeholders, including educators, business and industry, policymakers, and parents all agree on the importance of computer science. Significant workforce needs in particular are driving the push for computer science education. In comparison to all other U.S. job categories, computing is projected to have the largest percent growth between 2014 and 2024. And this projected growth may not even entirely capture the full number of American jobs that require computing and IT-related skills. According to a 2015 study from Change the Equation, 7.7 million Americans say their jobs require them to use computers in complex ways, which is more than twice the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ estimate of workers in computing occupations.