I wrote earlier about effort in the MN House (HF3492) to get grants for computer science programs. The Session Daily writes about the last discussion of the bill…

Last year, Minnesota had an average of 7,384 open computing jobs each month; the average salary was $105,311.

Without some educational changes those openings will likely not shrink.

Jeff Tollefson, president of the Minnesota Technology Association, said Minnesota ranks last in the country in the percentage of high schools offering computer science coursework. Just 28% of schools offer even one foundational computer science course, leaving Minnesota students at a disadvantage and the state falling further behind.

He was one of several supporters who submitted testimony in favor of HF3492, which would appropriate $8 million in fiscal year 2025 for the Department of Education to expand existing computer science education programs and fund grants for teacher training and recruitment.

Sponsored by Rep. Liz Lee (DFL-St. Paul), the bill was laid over by the House Education Finance Committee Thursday for possible inclusion in a finance bill.

The bill has been re-referred to Education Finance.