SoylentNews

takyon [soylentnews.org] writes:

President Obama has announced the Computer Science for All Initiative [whitehouse.gov], which would include $4 billion in funding for computer science in schools [wired.com]:

President Obama [on Jan. 30] pledged $4 billion in funding for computer science education in the nation's schools. The Computer Science for All Initiative slated for the president's forthcoming budget plan would include an additional $100 million that would go directly to school districts to fund computer science programs.

Under the president's plan, the Department of Education will divide the $4 billion over three years to states that propose well-designed five-year plans to increase computer science access in classrooms. Along with billions in federal funding, the initiative also includes commitments from philanthropists and some of the country's largest tech companies to help increase opportunities for computer science training, especially for underrepresented groups.

"Our economy is rapidly shifting, and educators and business leaders are increasingly recognizing that CS is a 'new basic' skill necessary for economic opportunity and social mobility," the White House said.

[...] The $100 million for districts will come in the form of competitive grants that reward ambitious efforts to expand computer science education in ways that reach as many students as possible, with the ultimate hope of finding a template that could work nationwide.

Original Submission