Study: Washington State Ranks First in STEM Jobs, but 42nd in On-Time High School Graduation Rates

GeekWire | John Cook | June 5

http://www.geekwire.com/2015/tech-alliance-study-washington-state-ranks-first-in-stem-jobs-but-42nd-in-on-time-high-school-graduation-rates/

“It’s no secret that the Seattle area is a hotbed for engineers, scientists, mathematicians and other highly-skilled technology professionals…In fact, Washington state has a greater percentage of people working in STEM fields when compared to 11 peer states in the U.S., according to a study released today by the Technology Alliance.”

 

U.S. Firms, Workers Try to Beat H-1B Visa Lottery System

Wall Street Journal | Miriam Jordan | June 2

http://www.wsj.com/articles/companies-workers-game-h-1b-visa-lottery-lawyers-say-1433237586

“Companies eager to hire foreign talent, mostly in the tech sector, and workers hoping for jobs in the U.S. have found ways to game a government lottery used to distribute a limited number of visas each year. Immigration lawyers involved in the process say they have helped firms file multiple H-1B skilled-worker visa applications for the same person. Some workers, meanwhile, are accepting offers from multiple employers, each of whom files a petition on their behalf, the lawyers say.”

 

Senate Approves USA Freedom Act, Obama Signs It, After Amendments Fail

NPR | Bill Chappell | June 2

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/06/02/411534447/senateis-poised-to-vote-on-house-approved-usa-freedom-act

“The Senate has approved the USA Freedom Act, which will alter the way U.S. agencies conduct surveillance and gather data. A final vote on the bill came late Tuesday afternoon, after amendments to the bill failed. Following an expedited enrollment process, President Obama signed the bill into law late Tuesday.”

 

Bill to Boost K-12 Computer Science Education in Washington State Awaits Governor’s Signature

GeekWire | James Risley | June 1

http://www.geekwire.com/2015/bill-to-boost-k-12-computer-science-education-in-washington-state-awaits-governors-signature/

“House Bill 1813 passed the state House and Senate on Thursday, requiring the adoption of “computer science learning standards developed by a nationally recognized computer science education organization” across the state. The bill creates three grants, as well. One grant will go training teachers, while another will go to education facilities that have supported historically underrepresented students with computer science. The last grant will be used for upgrading technology in schools. The bill calls for $2 million investment every two years, with a 1:1 match from private entities.”

 

Tech Billionaires Aim for Cheaper Spaceflight

Seattle Times | Dominic Gates | June 1

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/space-wa2/

“In the booming commercial space business, ventures founded by tech billionaires Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Paul Allen are reinventing the most expensive aspect — launching spacecraft into orbit. All three are intent on tapping this region’s aerospace and software talent, and all three speak in visionary terms.”

---

Receive updates on the latest blog posts directly to your inbox every Friday!