Senators Collins, Rosen Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen STEM Education in Schools

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced the STEM Education in Accounting Act, a bipartisan bill that would recognize the accounting profession as a valuable STEM career pathway and promote diversity within the field.

The bill comes at a time when the accounting profession, like many sectors of the economy, is finding itself with a shortage of talent to fill the available jobs. While the problem was exacerbated amid the pandemic in many sectors, the accounting profession has long faced such a shortage.

"Mathematics and technology skills can help students unlock countless doors to high-paying, in-demand fields. One of those doors leads to the accounting profession, whose work plays a key role in providing capital markets with confidence and assurance in financial reporting," said Senator Collins. "Our bipartisan bill would recognize accounting as a STEM subject and strengthen the pipeline of future accountants, who play such a vital role in our financial system."

"Exposing students to STEM learning in the classroom helps inspire them to consider new career paths in many essential fields," said Senator Rosen. "As a former computer programmer and Chair of the Senate Women in STEM Caucus, I'm proud to help introduce this bipartisan legislation to promote and expand access to accounting education programs by recognizing it as a STEM field."

The STEM Education in Accounting Act would recognize accounting as a STEM subject and amend the Every Student Succeeds Act to add accounting education programs as an allowable use of K-12 grant funding. The bill would also promote high-quality accounting instruction for members of groups underrepresented in accounting careers.

Click HERE to read the bill text.

###