The C Spire Super Bowl ad sent a harsh message: Mississippi is falling behind in computer science training in schools, and its economy will pay the price.
"Thank you, Mississippi, for sending high-paying tech jobs to Alabama," says an actor playing an economic development official from that state.
"Thank you, for not requiring computer science in schools. Georgia did, so growing companies come here instead," adds an actress wearing a hard hat.
The ad is part of a campaign pressuring Mississippi lawmakers to pass legislation this session requiring computer science in classrooms, said C Spire spokesman Dave Miller. It asks viewers to text lawmakers that they "want computer science in every school."
Despite an authentic appearance, the TV spot is a dramatization that doesn't include any real economic development officials bragging about stealing Mississippi's high-paying jobs, Miller said.
"But the reality is," he said, "that's exactly what's happening today."
A corresponding website says six Southern states require computer science training in schools. It adds the state has more than 1,000 unfilled computing jobs, which make on average about $72,000 annually. Officials said radio and social media advertising is also planned as part of company's "grassroots lobbying effort."
"Less than half of our public high schools teach computer science — a key part of most jobs today and every job tomorrow," the website reads. It includes a form to email lawmakers.
The telecommunications company has pushed for more computer science training in elementary and high schools for several years, Miller said, sponsoring coding camps and scholarships. But he said company officials felt legislative action is needed now to require the curriculum in order for Mississippi's economy to keep pace with its neighbors.
"Our future, our growth is really tied to the success and growth of the state," Miller said.
Education: Mississippi students could soon have more exposure to computer science
"The common denominator with all of our neighbors and the rest of the country is that they understand the importance of computer science and the central role that computing plays in our daily lives, in commerce and virtually every occupation in our modern economy,” Hu Meena, C Spire's CEO, said in a statement. "They’re investing today so that their state and their people can have a brighter tomorrow. We need to do the same thing."
Legislation has yet to be filed, but Miller said company officials expect it will be soon. House Education Chairman Richard Bennett, R-Long Beach, said he's heard from C Spire and other companies on the issue.
"They're committed," Bennett said of C Spire. "Now, we just need to all sit down and come up with what the right program, the right direction."
A spokeswoman for Gov. Tate Reeves did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ad and the governor's plans to push for additional coding training in schools.
But Reeves has proposed a $100 million workforce training program that includes $1.5 million for training the "next generation of Mississippi coders in software development." The plan also discusses exposing "every Mississippi student" to such courses.
Contact Luke Ramseth at 601-961-7050 or lramseth@gannett.com. Follow @lramseth on Twitter.
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C Spire Super Bowl ad: Mississippi falling behind in school computer science, losing jobs - Clarion Ledger
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