The future of Arkansas’ workforce lies in the state’s ability to infuse STEM education into the mainstream of our educational system. In 2015 Arkansas became the first state in the nation to pass a comprehensive law requiring all public and charter high schools to offer computer science courses. Since then, 400 percent more Arkansas high school students are taking computer sciences courses. Between 2012 and 2017, Arkansas has seen a 144 percent increase in the number of postsecondary students who graduated with a computer science degree.

Arkansas also takes workforce development seriously and has restructured high school vocational education to help students make a smoother transition from school to postsecondary education and/or the workplace.