CSforALL announces a new program, the Accelerator, and the first cohort of six communities to progress toward fundamental standards-aligned CS education for all learners

For Immediate Release

media@csforall.org

New York, NY (Thursday, June 23, 2022) — Today, CSforALL, with the support of Capital One, announces a new initiative, the CSforALL Accelerator Program, focused on accelerating the progress of local communities towards fundamental standards-aligned computer science education for all learners, and increasing access to interest-driven computer science learning opportunities. The Accelerator Program is a cohort-model program with local communities across the United States to design and engage place-based teams during a collaborative two-year program.

The Accelerator’s first national cohort comprises six communities across the U.S., including Denver, CO; Miami, FL; Nashville, TN; Washington D.C.; Duluth, MN; and Detroit, MI. Together these cities have the potential to reach over half-a-million youth who currently lack access to equitable CS education.

“CSforALL is energized by the launch of the Accelerator Program and the first locally-driven cohort that will drive sustainable CS education for our nation’s youth,” Bernell Murray, Project Director, Accelerator Program, CSforALL. “We’re planning to continue creating innovative cohorts across the nation to increase CS education opportunities that reach 2.5 million students by 5 years.”

Local communities are supported by individual organizations, including Crusoe Energy and Friends and Affiliates (Denver); Endless Network (Miami); Infosys Foundation USA (Duluth); Kapor Center (Detroit); Knight Foundation (Miami); UNCF (Nashville and Washington).

Additionally, the communities are composed of local institutions, including school districts; educational institutions; post-secondary universities; out-of-school-time learning partners; local CSTA chapters; and more to drive strategic planning of CS education in local areas. Together, the place-based teams will result in (1) increased awareness of CS education in the community, (2) increased capacity of community institutions to create a healthy ecosystem of opportunities and (3) increased opportunities and participation by learners in CS education activities for school-aged children.

“Community-based strategies that guide and inform efforts to remove barriers to STEM education are more vital than ever before,” said Kalisha Davis, CS Equity Curriculum Project Director, Kapor Center. “Kapor Center is pleased to partner with CSforALL’s Accelerator Cohort in Detroit to ensure that the needs and perspectives of historically marginalized communities are better represented in CS Ed and that high quality learning experiences are an achievable and sustainable goal.”

“To continue advancing accessible and effective computer science and maker education for K-12 students, we must build local ecosystems within communities to ensure that all students, especially underrepresented students are reached,” said Kate Maloney, Executive Director, Infosys Foundation USA. “We look forward to supporting the community of Duluth, MN, as they join a new Cohort from the CSforALL Accelerator.”

“Crusoe is passionate about enabling the future of computing led innovations and empowering our local communities, which starts with our education system.” said Chase Lochmiller, CEO and Co-Founder, Crusoe Energy. “As a Denver based company, we’re thrilled to help bring the CSforALL Accelerator program to the Denver Public School system to advance sustainable and equitable implementation of CS education.”

The Accelerator Program builds from our successful programs serving school districts (via SCRIPT) and communities (EcoSystemsforCS). CSforALL is committed to locally-driven, sustainable, and equitable implementations of computer science education pathways in K-12 learning. During the course of the program, participating communities will engage in local advocacy and capacity-building activities that result in the program milestones.

The CSforALL Accelerator Program is a public-private partnership led by CSforALL in collaboration with sponsors, local community supporters, and institutions, including:

Accelerator Program Sponsor: Capital One

Community Supporters: Crusoe Energy and Friends and Affiliates (Denver); Endless Network (Miami); Infosys Foundation USA (Duluth); Kapor Center (Detroit); Knight Foundation (Miami); UNCF (Nashville and Washington)

Cohort Community Institutions: Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver (Denver); Colorado School of Mines (Denver); Denver Public Schools (Denver); Detroit Public Schools Community District (Detroit); Kapor Center (Detroit); Michigan State University (Detroit); National Center for Computer Science Education — The College of St. Scholastica (Duluth); Upward Bound + Upward Bound Math & Science (Duluth); Infosys Foundation USA (Duluth); Miami EdTech (Miami); Microsoft Teals (Miami); Miami CSTA (Miami); Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (Nashville); Tennessee Tech University (Nashville); UNCF (Nashville); Howard University (Washington D.C.); Digital Pioneers Academy (Washington D.C.); UNCF (Washington D.C.); and UNCF Tech Pathways Initiative (Washington D.C.).

Interested in learning more, visit: http://csforall.org/projects_and_programs/accelerator-program

About CSforALL: CSforALL is the national hub of the computer science for all movement with a mission to make high-quality computer science an integral part of K-12 education in the United States. We engage with diverse stakeholders leading computer science initiatives across the nation to support and facilitate the implementation of rigorous, inclusive, and sustainable computer science.

For more information: www.csforall.org Twitter: @CSforALL