We need more girls to study IT.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the information technology industry will need more than 1.3 million workers by 2006. There is no conceivable way for us to meet that demand if we don't encourage more women to pursue degrees and careers in technology.

Women make up more than half of the population, but receive only about a quarter of the computer science degrees awarded in the United States. This problem can be traced back to grade school, which shapes girls' paths. In recent years, only 17 percent of those enrolled in advanced placement computer science courses have been female.

Clearly, we must encourage more women and girls to study computer …