Girls have IT — Information Technology, that is

Task force outlines ways to get girls involved in the field

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006

A task force formed to study why so few girls enter the Information Technology (IT) field recently presented recommendations to address the issue to the Montgomery County Board of Education.

The Montgomery County Girls in IT Task Force was chaired by Montgomery County Councilwoman Nancy M. Floreen (D-At large) and included business professionals, community leaders and educators.

The recommendations include creating a comprehensive marketing plan to raise parental awareness of the skills and talents vital to technology-related professions, embedding more information technology in schools programs and courses and creating a culture that supports and encourages girls to pursue IT-related career choices.

In response to national data that indicates too few girls are entering the information technology-related fields, the Montgomery County Commission for Women requested that Montgomery County Public Schools form a task force in 2005 and recommend strategies to increase the number of girls who pursue information technology careers beyond college

‘‘It’s an Info Tech world, and we want our girls to be in the game,” Floreen said. ‘‘I know they can. That’s why this group’s work is so important to me.”

Councilman Michael L. Subin (D-At large) of Gaithersburg lauded the task force’s work.

‘‘Our schools are full of very smart young women who, with the right direction, would see that a career in IT is theirs for the asking,” he said.

In its presentation to the school board, the task force suggested several next steps, including:

* Involving additional stakeholders in the effort.

* Developing a plan in 2006-2007 school year to address the task force recommendations.

* Examining MCPS curriculum to improve technology instruction.

* Collecting data on IT-related program and course enrollment and measure progress to increase enrollment.

* Planning and launching pilot programs that are research-based and build on existing programs

‘‘I appreciate the excellent work of the task force to address this critically important issue,” said Dr. Jerry D. Weast, superintendent of schools. ‘‘I have asked my staff to review the task force’s work and to develop a plan to address its findings.”