The National Center for Women & Information Technology reports the following statistics:
*Girls represented just 17 percent of Advanced Placement computer science (CS) exam-takers in 2008; that’s the lowest female representation of any AP exam.
*In 2008 women earned only 18 percent of all CS degrees. Back in 1985, women earned 37 percent of CS degrees.
*Women hold more than half of all professional occupations in the U.S. but only 25 percent of all computing-related occupations.
*Only 11 percent of corporate officer positions at Fortune 500 technology companies are held by women.
*A study on U.S. technology patenting reveals that patents created by mixed-gender teams are the most highly cited (an indicator of their innovation and usefulness); yet women were involved in only 9 percent of U.S. tech patents.
NCWIT is a coalition of over 200 prominent corporations, academic institutions, government agencies, and non-profits working to increase women's participation in information technology (IT).
NCWIT's work leverages the efforts of organizations across the country, and connects efforts to increase women's participation in IT along the entire pipeline, from K-12 and higher education through industry and academic careers. NCWIT encourages its members to undertake institutional change within their organizations, and their work provides them with the tools and support to be change agents.
Research-driven practices provide tangible advice and case studies for recruitment, retention, and educational and institutional reform.
Leading-edge social science research focuses on education, innovation, climate, and workforce participation.
Outreach resources highlight and encourage the participation of girls and women in IT.
The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing recognizes young women at the high-school level for their computing achievements and encourages their continued interest. The NCWIT Academic Alliance Seed Fund provides members of NCWIT's Academic Alliance with start-up funds to develop and implement initiatives for recruiting and retaining women into computing.
National, bi-annual meeting focus on topics such as innovation, diversity of thought, K-12 education, and organizational change.
Extension Services provides Academic Alliance members with customized consultation services for implementing systemic change in their undergraduate programs to increase enrollment, retention, and graduation of women.
To read more about the important work of this organization and to receive updates, visit the website and read their newsletter
