LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE FAVORS MORE COMPUTER EDUCATION.

Should computer science classes be required as one of the UNC System's undergraduate admission requirements?

The N.C. House Select Committee on Advancing Women in STEM is considering the change. The committee, formed this year and led by Rep. Erin Pare, R-Wake, wrapped up its work by recommending two draft bills for this year's long session.

One of the bills would require the UNC Board of Governors to study "whether to incorporate one or more computer science courses into the minimum course requirements for admission as an undergraduate student." UNC leaders would report their findings to a legislative oversight committee.

The bill comes after the committee heard a presentation from the N.C. Department of Public Instruction that the state has "close to 30,000 unfilled jobs that...