U.S. politicians bring K-12 computer science to the campaign trail

Three years ago, my brother Ali and I launched Code.org with a video that became #1 on YouTube by highlighting computer science as “What most schools don’t teach.”

Since then, hundreds of thousands of classrooms have tried computer science, and over a hundred school districts have added it to formal curriculum. Although computing occupations are now the #1 source of all new wages in the US, and although computer science is the subject students like the most behind the arts, it’s still a course that most schools don’t teach.

But just as we’ve seen students, parents, teachers, and schools embrace computer science education, we’re now seeing U.S. politicians embrace this field, and even campaign on it as a part of their policy agenda.

2014: State Elections

In the 2014 elections, Asa Hutchinson made “computer science in every school” one of his seven campaign promises. Once elected governor of Arkansas, he passed a bill and a budget that has made this vision a reality. Today every Arkansas high school offers a computer science class, and enrollment has skyrocketed, especially among females and underrepresented minorities.

2016: State and Presidential Elections

In the 2016 elections, Greg Gianforte is running for governor of Montana, and “Computer science in every high school” is the #1 promise of his education agenda.  

And in Hillary Clinton’s recently released tech agenda, the very first bullet begins with “Invest in computer science,” followed by “provide every student in America an opportunity to learn computer science.”

A bipartisan message of opportunity

In the 21st century, computer science stands for opportunity. With a growing cyber threat, it’s even critical to our national security. It’s not a surprise that politicians from both sides of the aisle support it. This field has already won the support of the president, as well as senators, representatives, and 28 governors from both parties.

What’s new is that candidates for office - from both parties - are now campaigning behind computer science, even in the race for President. #CSforAll

Hadi Partovi

P.S. This is a personal note by me, and is not meant as an endorsement of any candidate for office. My point is: opposing candidates from opposing parties can agree on computer science - for America’s children, for opportunity, for economic growth, and for cybersecurity.