Bill would give tribal computer science programs a boost

Lawmakers are debating a bill that would expand on a computer science program for schools on reservations established in the 2021 legislative session by adding additional training for teachers in elementary and middle schools.

Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, is sponsoring House Bill 346.

"There is a lot of potential, and perhaps maybe in the near future, this program is successful, is going to be opened up to all schools, all across the whole state, because as we know, this technology isn't going any place and I think we might as well take advantages of the opportunity," Windy Boy said.

The bill moves the program to be overseen by the Department of Labor from a joint position the department had with the Office of Public Instruction. HB 346 will also add $16,000 to the already existing $32,000 that the governor's budget allocates to the program.

The additional $16,000 will be used as scholarships for elementary and middle school teachers on reservations to get educated on computer science to open up classes for students to take courses on the subject. There would be scholarships for two high school teachers available to get the certification.

Dylan Klapmeier, the governor's education adviser, said Gov. Greg Gianforte supports the bill and said it is vital to expanding computer science opportunities for Native American students.

"Starting kids in this subject early is beneficial to their progress in the field," Klapmeier said. "Computing jobs are the largest source of new wages in the United States, and these jobs are in every industry and every state, and they are projected to grow at twice the rate of all other jobs."

Klapmeier said the governor is committing to expanding computer science opportunities across the state because it is one of the largest growing job markets in the country.

"Studying computer science in elementary school is correlated with higher test scores in math, science, and English. As the governor often says, computers are here to stay, and technology has removed geographical barriers to many careers," Klapmeier said.

Three others supported the bill and shared that starting these kids in programs earlier would create new job opportunities on tribal lands.

"There are several pieces of this program that we believe are essential to successful implementation, and we appreciate the recommended changes that are in the bill," Rob Watson, executive director of the School Administrators of Montana, said. "We believe that these types of skills are essential for work in the 21st century." 

Watson said that the bill and continued funding of the program supports the economic growth on tribal lands and that these skills are becoming essential for work after schooling.

No one testified against the bill and the committee did not take immediate action on the bill.

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Caven Wade is a student reporter with the UM Legislative News Service, a partnership of the University of Montana School of Journalism, the Montana Broadcasters Association, the Montana Newspaper Association and the Greater Montana Foundation. He can be reached at [email protected].