CSforCA

OUR FUTURE

CS IS VITAL TO CA’S PROSPERITY

Computer Science (CS) education is essential to the future of our state and our students. CS is not just about being able to use computers. It is about innovation, collaboration and problem-solving. CS is about building computational and critical thinking skills that allow students to create—not simply use—the next generation of devices, games and other technologies.

CS can transform the way students think about the world and can open new possibilities for their future. California currently has more than 68,000 open computing jobs across all fields, including healthcare, entertainment, agriculture and technology. Nearly half of California’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) jobs are in computing, and they are among the highest-paying and fastest-growing careers in America.

CS provides the 21st century skills students need today and in the future—regardless of their ultimate field of study or occupation.

OUR CHILDREN

CALIFORNIA CAN DO BETTER

Our young people—especially low-income students and students of color—are not being prepared for their future. Although California is the sixth largest economy in the world and is home to a majority of people of color, our students are being denied critical opportunities to learn computer science in school. Equitable access to this foundational learning will give every student the opportunity to thrive in the 21st century.

Expanding CS education in California will increase students’ knowledge, engagement in civic life and success in their careers.
It will also ensure we have a diverse workforce that can support long-term economic growth and prosperity for all Californians.

Parents recognize this: Nine in ten say they want their children to learn CS or believe their schools should offer CS classes. But only one in four school principals say their schools offer computer programming/coding classes.

OUR VISION

INCREASE EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN CS

CSforCA is a campaign to ensure all schools have access to meaningful and sustainable teaching and learning opportunities in CS. Founded by Californians to serve California’s unique needs, CSforCA is focused on statewide policy changes to enable every local school district to offer CS.

With increased access to CS, students will discover innovative ways to solve problems in their communities, they will pursue careers they may never have imagined or they may seek a college degree in a discipline they never thought was possible.

CSforCA is part of the national CSforAll movement launched by the White House in 2016 to empower a generation of American students with theCS skills they need to thrive in a digital world.

CSforCA is a project of ACCESS, the state’s leading advocate for CS education in California. ACCESS is a statewide network of K–12 CS educators, parents, industry leaders, nonprofit organizations and college and university professors who have worked tirelessly for CS education equity since 2012. With evidence-based research, ACCESS supports systemic changes needed to provide rigorous and inclusive CS education for all.

OUR SOLUTION

CS ED FOR ALL CA STUDENTS

Our initial goal is to ensure every California public high school will offer CS education by 2020 that will prepare students for college, careers and community engagement. By 2025, our goals are:

• Every California student will have access to CS education including English learners, students with special needs, girls and African American, Native American, Latinx and low-income students
• CS will count as a math, science or other core credit toward high school graduation and college admission to the University of California and California State University systems
• Students taking and passing the APCS exam will reflect the state’s overall demographics: Half will be women, half will be Latinx and at least 5% will be African American
• State funding will support the implementation of a CS strategic plan that will include teacher certification pathways and teacher professional development

YOUR ROLE

HELP BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR ALL CALIFORNIANS

Momentum is building for CS in California. With support from the governor, California Legislature and California Department of Education, the state is on the right track for developing CS standards and a new strategic plan for CS education expansion throughout California. California State University and the University of California systems also are considering counting CS education toward college admission.

We need your support to make sure these opportunities are available to all. You can help move CS education forward for all students—including students of color, low-income students and girls—so they get the CS education they need to succeed. Join us!

ADVOCATE

Be part of a grassroots movement to get CS in your school. Find out what your local school leaders and elected representatives are doing to advance CS. Explain why CS is foundational learning for everyone.

DONATE

Support CSforCA. Please give generously to help expand our coalition, assist districts in implementing CS and be the voice for CS education equity.

JOIN

Become a CSforCA partner organization and help build a better future for all Californians.

ADD YOUR ORGANIZATION TO THIS GROWING LIST OF CSFORCA SUPPORTERS

Alliance for California Computing Education for Students and Schools (ACCESS)
California Department of Education
Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation
Center X, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Science
Children Now
Code.org
Computer Science Teachers Association
Council for a Strong America
CSforAll Consortium
Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences, University of California, Irvine Expanding Computing Education Pathways
Fresno Unified School District
Google
Kapor Center for Social Impact
Los Angeles Unified School District
Microsoft
Oakland Unified School District
Project Lead the Way
Sacramento County Office of Education
San Francisco Unified School District
Silicon Valley Leadership Group
Technet
Temple City Unified School District