Why I’m Grateful Congress Increased Investments in STEM Education

Most people around the world have a vision of the “American dream.” Many will picture a self-made person who–through a combination of hard work, ingenuity, and perseverance–became prosperous.

This vision inspired me as a child growing up in rural India. My grandfather helped build my high school, and my father was the headmaster. I studied hard and earned degrees in computer applications and mathematics. With only a few hundred dollars to my name, I immigrated to the United States in 1997. Together with hard work, ingenuity, and perseverance, a STEM education empowered me to achieve my American dream.

Unfortunately, access to an education that teaches students the skills required to succeed in the 21st-century economy is not universal–it’s a privilege. Students’ ability to access a high-quality education in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) is determined first by their zip code.

Across the U.S., 51% of public high schools offer at least one computer science course; however, the gap between states is vast. For example, Arkansas and Rhode Island lead the way with 89% and 86% of public schools offering a computer science course respectively. In other states, less than a quarter of public school students have access to a computer science course. It is far past time to ensure equitable STEM educational offerings for all students, regardless of where they live, because the economic stability of this generation and those to come depends on it.

STEM jobs are among the highest-paying careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM jobs paid an average annual wage of $100,900 in 2021, compared with $55,260 for non-STEM occupations.

With approximately 1.2 million active job vacancies in computer occupations in the United States, it might seem obvious that U.S. government investment in STEM education is a national imperative and critical to American competitiveness. And it is. But the business community – those companies that depend on future generations to strengthen and sustain technological innovation – must lead the way.

I reflect on this point as the North American Chairman for 塔塔咨询服务公司 (TCS). With more than 50,000 employees in the U.S. and Canada, TCS is one of the largest technology and consulting companies in North America. We work alongside several of the world’s leading companies across multiple sectors and industries to build a reliable, diverse, and equitable tech talent pipeline.

Through a STEM training initiative called goIT, Tata Consultancy Services - North America fosters digital innovation and career readiness at local middle and high schools, and over 42,000 students in the U.S. and Canada have been directly impacted. 73% of students benefitting from goIT belong to groups currently underrepresented in computer science such as students of color, girls, English learners, students with disabilities, youth from rural communities, and youth from families living at or below the poverty line.

Not every student will or should graduate with a STEM degree, but every student can benefit from training in computer science and computational thinking. This kind of instruction is additive to their education, preparing them to solve complex problems that require diverse viewpoints. Cultivating curiosity and investing in all youth will ensure a diverse, innovative future workforce and idea ecosystem, while closing the opportunity gap and promoting equity.

The STEM education opportunity gap is too large for private enterprise to fill on its own. Through the Education, Innovation, and Research (EIR) Program, the U.S. Department of Education provides funding to improve student achievement and attainment in STEM fields and expands opportunities in STEM for underrepresented students in Pre-K through 12th grade.

Recognizing the importance of STEM education for U.S. competitiveness, Congress passed a government funding bill for fiscal year 2023 that provides $284 million in funding for EIR, a 21% increase above last year’s levels. This funding is critical for students who are still reeling from pandemic learning loss.

Hard work, ingenuity, perseverance, and the opportunity to learn the skills required to thrive in the 21st century can keep the American dream alive for generations to come. As an American citizen, it brings me great joy to applaud our elected officials for recognizing the STEM opportunity gap and taking bold action to solve it.