Grant to enhance IT education at LA schools

Grant to enhance IT education at LA schools

Computer science education - including online degrees - may soon receive a boost as UCLA has received a $2.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to fund a professional development program for computer science teachers.

The program, which will be coordinated with the Los Angeles Unified School District, aims to address the district's need for high-quality information technology education, according to the university's website.

As such, it will also serve to boost students' interest in pursuing college degrees in the field.

"There is a severe shortage of high school teachers who have both computer science content and pedagogical knowledge to teach a college-preparatory level computer science curriculum," says Jane Margolis, a UCLA senior education researcher and principal investigator for the grant.

The need for qualified teachers who can spur students' interest in pursuing technical careers is emphasized by the fact that according to recent studies the IT sector will lead America's recovery and create millions of jobs in the next several years.

Official statistics suggest demand for computer and information systems managers will grow by 16 percent until at least 2016, and median annual earnings exceed $101,000. There is a variety of online degree programs that can accommodate the needs of busy adults wishing to obtain IT skills.