Monday the legislature approved a bill that will allow students seeking TOPS eligibility to substitute computer coding for foreign language credits. SB 191 was sponsored by Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt, who says it gives students who struggle with learning languages and those looking to develop workforce skills more options and follows successful models from across the nation.
“This is being done in 14 other states,” said Hewitt. “This is not a unique idea. Programming language is considered to be a language.”
Hewitt says the need for computer coding skills is there as it represents the single biggest workforce gap in the state. She says unless Louisiana starts making some aggressive changes, it might be impossible to develop enough qualified candidates to meet demand.
“The Louisiana Economic Development Agency has said that we have to triple the number of computer coding people in our state in the next five years,” she added.
Some lawmakers contend that with the state’s French heritage and the increase in Spanish speakers foreign languages are essential. Hewitt says she doesn’t disagree, she just wants to provide another option for students that could better serve their academic needs and give them a marketable skill at the same time.
“Areas where there are employers looking for STEM talent, students that want to go into a technology field, this could be a significant option for them,” Hewitt said.
Comments