When it comes to bringing computer science education to Mississippi’s public schools, C Spire is all in. We’ve invested millions. And just a few weeks ago, we began a grassroots movement called Mississippi’s Future Can’t Wait that has led to the upcoming House vote on a groundbreaking Computer Science Education Bill.

Mississippi legislators unanimously approved HB 1165, the computer science education bill, in the House Education Committee on March 3, clearing the way for the full House of Representatives to consider a vote on the legislation.

C Spire and the grassroots Mississippi’s Future Can’t Wait movement have championed the legislation authored by Rep. Richard Bennett, R-Long Beach. If passed into law, the bill would bring computer science education to all 884 public and charter schools in the state.

The Mississippi's Future Can’t Wait movement is spreading awareness of the need for computer science education in all of Mississippi’s public schools.

Currently, Mississippi is trailing its neighboring states in efforts to attract new, high-tech business, jobs and expansion because it does not teach computer science in all K-12 schools. The average salary for computing jobs is $72,039, almost double the statewide average.

Mississippi school superintendents gathered in Madison last week, ahead of a key legislative deadline of Tuesday, March 3, to show support for a bill that would bring computer science education to all 877 of the state’s public elementary and high schools.

“Computer science is as important in today’s world as reading, math and science proficiency,” said Dr. Phillip G. Burchfield, executive director of the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents. “It’s an integral part of our commitment and responsibility to prepare our students for the opportunities and challenges that they will face in a 21st century world that’s infused with technology.”

Thousands of students at every public school in Mississippi are closer than ever to having computer science curriculum become a core part of their education.

With Senate Bill 2284 and House Bill 1165 currently before the Mississippi Senate and House education committees, C Spire is championing efforts to boost the state’s adoption of a solid computer science foundation in public schools.

The students at Northside High School in Shelby, Miss., look out the window to see the shape their futures will take.

The Dollar General is the nearest employer in this small Delta community. Not far away, a regional medical center might offer some jobs. There are multiple farms scattered around the area. The students could teach, though Northside is the only school to serve grades 7 through 12 for five communities in the area. Walmart and a few fast food restaurants aren’t too far away.