Southeastern and partners awarded LDOE funding
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – The Louisiana Department of Education has awarded a $1.67 million contract
to Northshore Regional STEM Center, led by Southeastern Louisiana University in partnership
with Northshore Technical Community College and LaSTEM.
Appropriated by the Louisiana State Legislature, the funds will be used to develop
and deliver 40-hours of computer science Praxis exam training through multiple cohorts
to 1,000 sixth through 12th grade teachers statewide. The project will be led by the
Northshore Regional LaSTEM Center Director Wendy Conarro, Southeastern Interim Computer
Science Department Head Bonnie Achee, and Dean of the College of Education Paula Summers
Calderon.
As part of the LDOE initiative to “Ignite, Inspire, and Energize” computer science
education across Louisiana supporting education and industry, the training will be
held virtually in March and April, with a hybrid cohort in June.
“In Louisiana, the fastest growing industry is professional, scientific, and
technical services, which is composed of much of the technology industry,” said Conarro.
“Software developers and network administrators are among the 10 fastest growing occupations
in the state requiring a college education, yet the state is producing fewer than
half of the graduates needed to fill computer science related jobs.”
The Louisiana Legislature Computer Science Education Advisory Commission and
the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education concluded that it is in the public
interest a comprehensive computer science education initiative be undertaken to ensure
Louisiana has citizens who have the expertise to perform the technology skills embedded
in most professions, Conarro explained, who can meet the ever-increasing workforce
demands in the technology sector and who can envision and grow the next generation
of technological advances.
“It is the intent of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the
Louisiana Department of Education to create a comprehensive statewide computer science
education program that benefits all citizens, flows seamlessly between all levels
of education, and meets the needs of a dynamic and competitive economy,” she said.
For more information about the training to be offered, visit northshorestem.org/energize.