This measure would designate April 1, 2018, to April 7, 2018, inclusive, as California Diversity in STEM and Tech Week and would encourage all citizens and community organizations to support the observance of California Diversity in STEM and Tech Week by encouraging and celebrating diversity in the STEM fields and in Californias technology and innovation economy.

This measure would designate April 1, 2018, to April 7, 2018, inclusive, as California Diversity in STEM and Tech Week and would encourage all citizens and community organizations to support the observance of California Diversity in STEM and Tech Week by encouraging and celebrating diversity in the STEM fields and in Californias technology and innovation economy.

This measure would designate April 1, 2018, to April 7, 2018, inclusive, as California Diversity in STEM and Tech Week and would encourage all citizens and community organizations to support the observance of California Diversity in STEM and Tech Week by encouraging and celebrating diversity in the STEM fields and in Californias technology and innovation economy.

WHEREAS, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are critical fields for the success of Californias technology and innovation economy; and

WHEREAS, Many of the fastest growing occupations in the United States require some form of expertise in the areas of STEM; and

WHEREAS, STEM careers represent some of the highest-paying positions in any field, thereby providing desirable career opportunities and real pathways out of poverty; and

WHEREAS, Preparing students for the STEM workforce is essential to fulfill the demands of our 21st century, innovation-focused economy; and

WHEREAS, A significant diversity gap exists in participation in STEM disciplines and the technology workforce; and

WHEREAS, While women make up nearly 50 percent of the working population, they represent only about 28 percent of the STEM workforce; and

WHEREAS, While African Americans constitute 17 percent of the United States population, they represent only 5 percent of the STEM workforce; and

WHEREAS, While Latinos make up 17 percent of the United States population, they represent only 6 percent of the STEM workforce; and

WHEREAS, Only 2.5 percent of the total workforce identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ), with an estimated 20 percent fewer LGBTQ workers in government STEM-related jobs than should be expected; and

WHEREAS, While women and underrepresented communities constitute about 70 percent of college students, they earn only 45 percent of STEM degrees; and

WHEREAS, Out of the total bachelors degrees earned in STEM fields, only 45 percent are earned by women, and only 36 percent are earned by underrepresented minorities; and

WHEREAS, In California, the diversity disparities in STEM education are similar, if not more pronounced, as only 16 percent of computer science graduates in California are women; and

WHEREAS, Despite underrepresentation in the STEM fields, there are many individuals from these minority backgrounds in California who serve as role models for youth preparing for STEM careers; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature encourages all citizens, community organizations, and the technology industry to support the observance of California Diversity in STEM and Tech Week by encouraging and celebrating diversity in the STEM fields and in Californias technology and innovation economy; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature declares the week of April 1, 2018, to April 7, 2018, inclusive, as California Diversity in STEM and Tech Week; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are critical fields for the success of Californias technology and innovation economy; and

WHEREAS, Many of the fastest growing occupations in the United States require some form of expertise in the areas of STEM; and

WHEREAS, STEM careers represent some of the highest-paying positions in any field, thereby providing desirable career opportunities and real pathways out of poverty; and

WHEREAS, Preparing students for the STEM workforce is essential to fulfill the demands of our 21st century, innovation-focused economy; and

WHEREAS, A significant diversity gap exists in participation in STEM disciplines and the technology workforce; and

WHEREAS, While women make up nearly 50 percent of the working population, they represent only about 28 percent of the STEM workforce; and

WHEREAS, While African Americans constitute 17 percent of the United States population, they represent only 5 percent of the STEM workforce; and

WHEREAS, While Latinos make up 17 percent of the United States population, they represent only 6 percent of the STEM workforce; and

WHEREAS, Only 2.5 percent of the total workforce identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ), with an estimated 20 percent fewer LGBTQ workers in government STEM-related jobs than should be expected; and

WHEREAS, While women and underrepresented communities constitute about 70 percent of college students, they earn only 45 percent of STEM degrees; and

WHEREAS, Out of the total bachelors degrees earned in STEM fields, only 45 percent are earned by women, and only 36 percent are earned by underrepresented minorities; and

WHEREAS, In California, the diversity disparities in STEM education are similar, if not more pronounced, as only 16 percent of computer science graduates in California are women; and

WHEREAS, Despite underrepresentation in the STEM fields, there are many individuals from these minority backgrounds in California who serve as role models for youth preparing for STEM careers; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature encourages all citizens, community organizations, and the technology industry to support the observance of California Diversity in STEM and Tech Week by encouraging and celebrating diversity in the STEM fields and in Californias technology and innovation economy; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature declares the week of April 1, 2018, to April 7, 2018, inclusive, as California Diversity in STEM and Tech Week; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are critical fields for the success of Californias technology and innovation economy; and

WHEREAS, Many of the fastest growing occupations in the United States require some form of expertise in the areas of STEM; and

WHEREAS, STEM careers represent some of the highest-paying positions in any field, thereby providing desirable career opportunities and real pathways out of poverty; and

WHEREAS, Preparing students for the STEM workforce is essential to fulfill the demands of our 21st century, innovation-focused economy; and

WHEREAS, A significant diversity gap exists in participation in STEM disciplines and the technology workforce; and

WHEREAS, While women make up nearly 50 percent of the working population, they represent only about 28 percent of the STEM workforce; and

WHEREAS, While African Americans constitute 17 percent of the United States population, they represent only 5 percent of the STEM workforce; and

WHEREAS, While Latinos make up 17 percent of the United States population, they represent only 6 percent of the STEM workforce; and

WHEREAS, Only 2.5 percent of the total workforce identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ), with an estimated 20 percent fewer LGBTQ workers in government STEM-related jobs than should be expected; and

WHEREAS, While women and underrepresented communities constitute about 70 percent of college students, they earn only 45 percent of STEM degrees; and

WHEREAS, Out of the total bachelors degrees earned in STEM fields, only 45 percent are earned by women, and only 36 percent are earned by underrepresented minorities; and

WHEREAS, In California, the diversity disparities in STEM education are similar, if not more pronounced, as only 16 percent of computer science graduates in California are women; and

WHEREAS, Despite underrepresentation in the STEM fields, there are many individuals from these minority backgrounds in California who serve as role models for youth preparing for STEM careers; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature encourages all citizens, community organizations, and the technology industry to support the observance of California Diversity in STEM and Tech Week by encouraging and celebrating diversity in the STEM fields and in Californias technology and innovation economy; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature declares the week of April 1, 2018, to April 7, 2018, inclusive, as California Diversity in STEM and Tech Week; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: ACR 206

Author: Holden (D), et al.

Introduced: 3/20/18

Vote: 21

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: Read and adopted, 4/2/18

SUBJECT: California Diversity in STEM and Tech Week

SOURCE: TechNet

DIGEST:

This resolution designates April 1, 2018, to April 7, 2018, inclusive, as California Diversity in STEM and Tech Week.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are critical fields for the success of California's technology and innovation economy.
2. STEM careers represent some of the highest-paying positions in any field, thereby providing desirable career opportunities and real pathways out of poverty. Preparing students for the STEM workforce is essential to fulfill the demands of our 21st century, innovation-focused economy.
3. A significant diversity gap exists in participation in STEM disciplines and the technology workforce. While women make up nearly 50% of the working population, they represent only about 28% of the STEM workforce; African Americans constitute 17% of the United States population, they represent only 5% of the STEM workforce; Latinos make up 17% of the United States population, they represent only 6% of the STEM workforce.
4. Only 2.5% of the total workforce identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ), with an estimated 20% fewer LGBTQ workers in government STEM-related jobs than should be expected.
5. While women and underrepresented communities constitute about 70% of college students, they earn only 45% of STEM degrees.
6. Despite underrepresentation in the STEM fields, there are many individuals from these minority backgrounds in California who serve as role models for youth preparing for STEM careers.

This resolution declares the week of April 1, 2018, to April 7, 2018, inclusive, as California Diversity in STEM and Tech Week, and encourages all citizens, community organizations, and the technology industry to support the observance of California Diversity in STEM and Tech Week by encouraging and celebrating diversity in the STEM fields and in California’s technology and innovation economy.

Comments

According to the author:

The high tech sector has become a major source of economic growth fueling the U.S. economy. As an innovation leader, the high tech sector has impacted how we communicate and access information, distribute products and services, and address critical societal problems. Because this sector is the source of an increasing number of jobs, it is particularly important that we understand the emerging trends in this industry. Ensuring a sufficient supply of workers with the appropriate skills and credentials and addressing the lack of diversity among high tech workers have become central public policy concerns.

At the top 75 companies in Silicon Valley, only 3% of employees are black, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Premier employers Facebook and Google have yet to crack 2% in technical jobs.

Any discussion about diverse hiring in Silicon Valley inevitably becomes a discussion about “the pipeline”. The pipeline is the steady stream of able and willing workers that are pumped out of colleges and universities each year ready to populate the tech company campuses that dot the suburbs of the Bay Area.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 4/11/18)

TechNet (source)

CompTIA

OPPOSITION: (Verified 4/11/18)

None received

Prepared by: Jonas Austin / SFA / (916) 651-1520

4/11/18 14:49:33

**** END ****

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:ACR 206

Author:(Holden)

As Introduced Ver:March 20, 2018

Majority vote

SUMMARY: Designates April 1, 2018, to April 7, 2018, inclusive, as California Diversity in STEM and Tech Week. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are critical fields for the success of California's technology and innovation economy.
2. STEM careers represent some of the highest-paying positions in any field, thereby providing desirable career opportunities and real pathways out of poverty. Preparing students for the STEM workforce is essential to fulfill the demands of our 21st century, innovation-focused economy.
3. A significant diversity gap exists in participation in STEM disciplines and the technology workforce. While women make up nearly 50% of the working population, they represent only about 28% of the STEM workforce; African Americans constitute 17% of the United States population, they represent only 5% of the STEM workforce; Latinos make up 17% of the United States population, they represent only 6% of the STEM workforce.
4. Only 2.5% of the total workforce identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ), with an estimated 20% fewer LGBTQ workers in government STEM-related jobs than should be expected.
5. While women and underrepresented communities constitute about 70% of college students, they earn only 45% of STEM degrees.
6. Despite underrepresentation in the STEM fields, there are many individuals from these minority backgrounds in California who serve as role models for youth preparing for STEM careers.

FISCAL EFFECT: None

Analysis Prepared by: Nicole Willis / RLS. / (916) 319-2800 FN: 0002631

Date of Hearing: March 22, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON

, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:

Author:() – As Ver:

SUBJECT: California Diversity in STEM and Tech Week.

SUMMARY: Designates April 1, 2018, to April 7, 2018, inclusive, as California Diversity in STEM and Tech Week. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are critical fields for the success of California’s technology and innovation economy.
2. STEM careers represent some of the highest-paying positions in any field, thereby providing desirable career opportunities and real pathways out of poverty. Preparing students for the STEM workforce is essential to fulfill the demands of our 21st century, innovation-focused economy.
3. A significant diversity gap exists in participation in STEM disciplines and the technology workforce. While women make up nearly 50 percent of the working population, they represent only about 28 percent of the STEM workforce; African Americans constitute 17 percent of the United States population, they represent only 5 percent of the STEM workforce; Latinos make up 17 percent of the United States population, they represent only 6 percent of the STEM workforce.
4. Only 2.5 percent of the total workforce identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ), with an estimated 20 percent fewer LGBTQ workers in government STEM-related jobs than should be expected.
5. While women and underrepresented communities constitute about 70 percent of college students, they earn only 45 percent of STEM degrees.
6. Despite underrepresentation in the STEM fields, there are many individuals from these minority backgrounds in California who serve as role models for youth preparing for STEM careers.

FISCAL EFFECT: None

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: