This week President Obama launched a new Computer Science Initiative called Computer Science for All to give all students across the country the chance to learn computer science (CS) in school. The plan calls for:
- $4 billion in funding for states and $100 million directly for school districts in his forthcoming Budget to expand K-12 CS by training teachers, expanding access to high-quality instructional materials, and building effective regional partnerships.
- $135 million in Computer Science funding to become available starting this year from the National Science Foundation and the Corporation for National and Community Service.
- Expanding access to prior NSF supported programs and professional learning communities through their CS10k Initiative that led to the creation of more inclusive and accessible CS curriculum including Exploring CS and Advanced Placement (AP) CS Principles among others.
- Involving even more governors, mayors, and education leaders to help boost CS following the leadership of states like Delaware, Hawaii, Washington, Arkansas, and more than 30 school districts that have already begun to expand CS opportunities.
- Engaging CEOs, philanthropists, creative media, technology, and education professionals to deepen their CS commitments. More than 50 organizations are making commitments.
Here is a link to the President’s message on this initiative: President Obama’s Weekly Address on Computer Science for All