WASHINGTON STEM

February 28, 2017

Re: Support for Computer Science and Career Connected Learning

Thank you for your leadership during this session's intense work surrounding education. We the undersigned business executives, educators, and community leaders endorse a public-private partnership to accelerate STEM education solutions. We specifically support a $12 million 1:1 publicprivate computer science education grant program ($6 million state + $6 million matching funds) and a $12 million public-private 1:1 career connected learning fund ($6 million state + $6 million matching funds). The nonprofit Washington STEM commits to raise and align the matching funds and to manage state and matching funds with accountability for outcomes.

In our economy, a STEM education is a crucial part of basic education. STEM gives students the creative and skills-based tools they need to be ready for their future. A public-private partnership will make state investments in education go further faster.

Washington state continues to rank second in the United States in the concentration of STEM jobs. Over the next five years, 740,000 job openings will be available in Washington ? 33 percent of them STEM specific jobs. Legislators this session have a historic opportunity to invest in programs that work to build a robust talent pool and help Washington students succeed.

Voters support STEM education throughout the state. 94 percent of voters recently surveyed agree that every child in the state should have access to STEM education. 83 percent believe that increased focus on STEM education will improve the state's economy, and 79 percent of voters throughout the state believe STEM education will improve their region's economy.

Investments in computer science education and career connected learning will deliver results for our students, workplaces, and communities. Computer science is foundational to many STEM careers and also gives students not going into STEM fields the creative and analytic tools they need to thrive in today's society. Career connected learning ? high-quality internships, youth apprenticeships, job shadows, and real-world job-related experiences ? allows students to enter the workforce prepared and engaged and employers to make confident hires.

Right now, only 11 percent of students have access to high-quality, state-funded computer science education. The aforementioned funding for computer science and career connected learning would focus on students that need it most ? rural students, students from low-income communities, and students of color.

We have contributed significant leadership and funds to support computer science education and career connected learning. We are ready to do more. We ask for your partnership to ensure Washington students are prepared for a successful future.

Sincerely,

Undersigned business executives, educators, and community leaders

WASHINGTON STEM February 2017

SUPPORT FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE AND CAREER CONNECTED LEARNING

Business Accenture Amperity Amperity Artemis Connection Atkins Energy North America AttackPattern Avista Avvo, Inc. BoldIQ CH2M CHEF Columbia River Economic Development Council CORTAC Group Facebook Galvanize GeoEngineers Getty Images Glowforge Greater Spokane Incorporated GWATA: North Central Washington Tech Alliance Huawei Technologies (USA) Identity Clark County

Indix

Itron, Inc. Lease Crutcher Lewis McKinstry McKinstry - Inland NW Region Microsoft Microsoft Philanthropies Moz Parlay Parlay Pinterest Redfin Saltchuk Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Smartsheet Start it Labs, LLC Substantial T-Mobile Vivid Learning Systems West Monroe Partners

Name Elizabeth Tinkham Kabir Shahani Derek Slager Christy Johnson Thomas Yount Steve Eros Patrick Lynch Mark Britton Roei Ganzarski Vicki Bogenberger Barry Crist

Mike Bomar

Thomas Eide Vijaye Raji Jim Deters Bruce Williams Steve Heck Dan Shapiro Alisha Benson

Jenny Rojanasthien

Ron Arp

Heather Redman

Philip Mezey Bill Lewis Dean Allen Dale Silha Brad Smith Mary Snapp Sarah Bird Dan Apone Rebecca Deutsch Ruben E. Ortega Bridget Frey Tim Engle

Maud Daudon

Mark Mader Gary Rubens Jeremy Borden Kim Solem Matt Hammer Brian Paulen

Title Senior Managing Director Co-founder and CEO Co-founder and CTO CEO Executive Vice President CEO Community Development Director CEO and Founder President and CEO Business Manager CEO

President

Managing Partner Engineering Director CEO Principal Chief Innovation Officer CEO COO

Executive Director

President VP Business Operations and General Counsel President and CEO Chairman CEO Business Unit Manager, Energy President and Chief Legal Officer Corporate Vice President CEO Co-founder and CEO Co-founder and CTO Engineering Lead, Seattle Chief Technology Officer President

President and CEO

CEO Founder CEO Sr. Director, Corporate Responsibility CEO Managing Director

SUPPORT FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE AND CAREER CONNECTED LEARNING

K-12 Education 2017 Washington Teacher of the Year Aches Valley School District Bremerton School District Camas Public Schools Chief Kamiakin Elementary, Sunnyside School District Eastmont School District Easton School District Education Service District 112 Educational Service District 105 Evergreen Public Schools Finley School District Garfield Elementary, Yakima School District Goldendale Primary School, Goldendale School District Goldendale School District Grandview High School Grandview School District Granger School District Highland School District 203

Highline School District

Hockinson Public Schools Nob Hill Elementary, Yakima School District NorthEast Washington ESD 101 Olympic Educational Service District 114 Selah School District

Sunnyside School District

Thorp School District

Toppenish School District

Vancouver Public Schools

Wapato School District

Washougal Public Schools

Wenatchee School District

West Valley School District #208

West Valley School District #363 White Swan High School, Mt. Adams School District Zillah School District

Zillah School District

Name

Camille Jones

Duane Lyons Aaron Leavell Jeff Snell

Kimberly Frank

Garn Christensen Patrick Dehuff Tim Merlino Kevin Chase John Deeder Lance Hahn

Alan Matsumoto

Chip Ferrell

Mark Heid Kimberly Casey Henry Strom Margarita Lopez Mark Anderson Susan Enfield Sandra Yager

Steve Brownlow

Michael Dunn

Kareen Borders

Shane Backlund Kevin McKay Linda Martin Jeanette Ozuna Steve Webb Becky Imler Mike Stromme Brian Flores Michael Brophy Gene Sementi

Joseph Castilleja

Doug Burge Justin Irion

Title

Pioneer Elementary, Quincy

Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent

Principal

Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent

Principal

Principal

Superintendent Principal Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent

Principal

Superintendent Director of STEM Programs and Outreach Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent Assistant Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent

Principal

Superintendent Assistant Superintendent

SUPPORT FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE AND CAREER CONNECTED LEARNING

Postsecondary Community Colleges of Spokane Heritage University Olympic College Spokane Falls Community College University of Washington Washington State University Wenatchee Valley College

Name Christine Johnson Ken Bergevin David Mitchell Janet Gullickson Ana Mari Cauce Kirk Schulz Jim Richardson

Community Community-minded Enterprises Girl Scouts Eastern Washington & Northern Idaho Graduate Tacoma Kitsap County Human Services

League of Education Voters

Pacific Science Center

School's Out Washington

Stand for Children Washington

STEM Education Innovation Alliance

Teach for America

Techbridge Seattle

TechNet

Washington MESA Washington State Opportunity Scholarship Washington State STEM Education Foundation Washington STEM Washington Technology Industry Association

Name Hadi Partovi Kathy Thamm

Pam Lund

Eric Wilson Doug Washburn Chris Korsmo Will Daugherty Mari Offenbecher Libuse Binder Gene Sharratt Anthony Byrd Callista Chen Joanie Deutsch James Dorsey

Naria Santa Lucia

Deb Bowen

Patrick D'Amelio

Michael Schutzler

Title Chancellor Chair of Graduate Programs President President President President President

Title CEO Executive Director

CEO

President and CEO Director CEO President and CEO CEO Executive Director Co-Chair Executive Director Executive Director Executive Director, Pacific Northwest CEO

Executive Director

Executive Director

CEO

CEO

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