15,000 new computer science teachers

When Code.org was just an idea back in 2012, we estimated that 90% of US schools didn’t offer computer science.

The truth is, it’s difficult to pinpoint. Most schools offer computer classes that teach students how to use technology but few teach how to create technology — covering computer programming, algorithms, and much more.

Today, 75% schools don’t teach computer science, according to Google and Gallup findings released last month. What’s worse is that 90% of parents and 90% of children want or expect their schools to teach these foundational skills. Only 10% of school officials are aware of this demand.

But change is happening. Today we announce that over 15,000 new teachers have been trained by Code.org and our partners to begin teaching computer science to an estimated 600,000 K-12 students in schools across the United States.

12,000 of these teachers are bringing Code.org’s Computer Science Fundamentals curriculum to our youngest learners in elementary schools. All have attended in-person professional development in 118 cities since our learning platform Code Studio launched one year ago.

Almost 1,700 teachers are offering introductory courses in high school and middle school. And 100 teachers are piloting our high school Computer Science Principles course, developed in partnership with the National Science Foundation and the College Board, designed to be hands-on, inclusive, and inspire diverse students who may not pursue the subject otherwise.

Adding to this momentum, 1400 additional teachers are offering new courses in mostly middle and high schools this year, through 12 leading organizations that Code.org has partnered with: Edhesive, BJC, Bootstrap, Codecademy, CodeHS, Globaloria, Mobile CSP, NMSI, PLTW, TEALS, ScratchEd, and Tynker.

Record diversity in computer science

If we’re going to give every young person access to the best opportunities of the 21st century, not just a privileged few, it’s critical to offer computer science in K-12 classrooms, where students of all backgrounds begin on an even playing field. We’re encouraged to see that 43% of students are girls and 37% are black or Hispanic in our Computer Science Fundamental courses.

In our high school classrooms, 34% of students are girls, and 60% black or Hispanic, where we’re working with large urban districts, in cities including New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and Miami.

Our vision is that every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn the foundations of computer science. While we have a long way to go, more teachers are bringing computer science to their students than ever before. Let’s keep the momentum going.

Sep. 10 2015

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