Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening.
Three years ago, I unveiled our 10-year economic development plan. It was drafted and crafted with the input of business leaders and researchers, educators, and everyday Maine people from across the state, to build the economy our state will need to prosper in the coming decades.
That plan told us that Maine students need to have stronger computer science skills in order to compete in our changing economy.
Last week, I announced a new initiative that will make sure that Maine students have the skills they need to succeed.
Using federal funds, I’m sending a free mobile computer lab to all Maine public schools this fall.
Every student in Maine public schools will be able to access real-world training in robotics, in programming, augmented and virtual reality, in coding, and hardware – skills that our employers are all looking for right now.
I’m also using some of those federal funds to pay for training for Maine’s teachers, so they can use computer skills in every classroom.
These mobile computer labs are just one way that my Administration is working hard to enhance computer science skills for Maine students.
Last year, my Administration utilized federal funding to integrate computer science into our free Pre-K through 12 online learning platform and we funded a grant program to help teachers expand their own understanding of computer sciences and how it can help them in the classrooms.
And this summer, I was very pleased to join all 50 governors on a bipartisan pledge to increase K-12 computer science education in all our states. Maine is already a national leader on this front, but there’s still more to do.
My Administration will continue to ensure that Maine students have the skills, knowledge, and training they need to succeed. Whether they take up automotive repair, or welding, or research or teaching, or history or literature, they all need computer sciences to succeed now and in the future and to get the good paying jobs that are offered in our state.
This is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.