The Monthly Newsletter for Web Professionals

Volume 7 Issue 04 - April 2005

Letter from the Executive Editor

By Bill Cullifer

Employment in professional, scientific, and technical services will grow by 27.8 percent and add 1.9 million new jobs by 2012. Employment in computer systems design and related services will grow by 54.6 percent and add more than one-third of all new jobs in professional, scientific, and technical services. Employment growth will be driven by the increasing reliance of businesses on information technology and the continuing importance of maintaining system and network security. Management, scientific, and technical consulting services also will grow very rapidly, by 55.4 percent, spurred by the increased use of new technology and computer software and the growing complexity of business.

-- U.S. Department of Labor

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

The No Child Left Behind Act is a noble effort to bring children up to speed as far as reading, writing and ’rithmetic, otherwise known as “the basics.” But its execution, especially in light of the U.S. Department of Labor’s predictions regarding future technology employment, is flawed.

This is nothing new. Americans, most notably classroom teachers, have been saying this ever since the NCLB Act was passed in 2001.

But, despite its good intentions, the reality is that school districts nationwide have had to rewrite their curricula so youngsters can “pass the test,” whether it’s the High School Exit Exam, or something similar. No matter its name, the test (or tests) students must pass to graduate leave out one vital subject: technology.

Actually, the NCLB Act briefly mentions technology education.

Section 2402 includes the following goal: “To assist every student in crossing the digital divide by ensuring that every student is technologically literate by the time the student finishes the eighth grade, regardless of the student's race, ethnicity, gender, family income, geographic location, or disability.”

Right.

So why isn’t it happening?

Government, as well as big business, must take notice of the need for technologically literate workers in this country and do something about it. If we retain the status quo, the United States will fall behind other countries, and we will see more outsourcing and a rise in unemployment.

Consider the following points from an executive summary of a 2003 report by the National Association of Manufacturers titled “Keeping America Competitive -- How a Talent Shortage Threatens U.S. Manufacturing.”

• “Relentless advances in technology have infused every aspect of manufacturing—from design and production to inventory management, delivery and service. Today’s manufacturing jobs are technology jobs, and employees at all levels must have the wide range of skills required to respond to the demands of an increasingly complex environment.”

• “Demographic shifts portend great change ahead. The ‘Baby Boom generation’ of skilled workers will be retired within the next 15 to 20 years. Currently, the only source of new skilled workers is from immigration. The result is a projected need for 10 million new skilled workers by 2020.

One point is worth repeating: Currently, the only source of new skilled workers is from immigration.

Now is the time for change. We must not sit idly by and let the rest of the world overtake us. We must prepare our young people for the challenges of tomorrow. And that must include more than just the basics. Today, technology has to be considered one of the basic subjects.

The World Organization of Webmasters is not suggesting that all students be trained as computer programmers or Web professionals. But all students, to quote from the No Child Left Behind Act, must be “technologically literate by the time the student finishes the eighth grade.”

For this to occur, a number of things must happen.

1. The technology component of NCLB must be fully funded.

2. All teachers and administrators must be trained in how technology can be used in the classroom. Students must be taught that a computer is a tool of commerce and that it takes more than the ability to play games, surf the Web and download music to be a computer whiz.

3. A greater emphasis must be put on vocational training for non-college-bound high school and junior high school students.

This last point is of most concern.

Virtually every job requires the use of a computer in some way. From the upper echelons of the business world to those who wait on tables, knowing how to use a computer is mandatory. With most jobs somewhere in the middle, it is imperative that our youngsters are “technologically literate” when they enter the workplace.

WOW is doing its part by living up to its bywords: Community. Education. Certification.

WOW conducts workshops and training nationwide and offers a recognized certification. Our Web site is chock full of information that helps Web professionals in their daily lives. And more is on the way.

Each year, hundreds of people go through WOW training on full scholarships, and we want to increase that number. To that end, WOW will seek grants and other funding so even more full scholarships can be offered.

Similar efforts must be made by others on a national level. This is too important an issue to let simmer.

Technology is being advanced so fast that educators can’t keep up. Imagine trying to teach someone something one day, only to have it change the next day (or very soon after).

A crisis is looming and something must be done. And it must be done now.

Have a good one,

Bill