A year after the announcement of the Computer Science for All Initiative (CS4All), Mayor de Blasio, Chancellor Carmen Fariña and Gabrielle Fialkoff, Senior Advisor and Director of The Office of Strategic Partnerships announced today that it is already halfway toward its $40 million fundraising goal, has added computer science curricula to 246 schools and has trained over 450 teachers.

CS4All was announced last September with a first-of-its-kind intention to provide all of New York City’s 1.1 million students with computer science training by 2025.

The initiative is determined to provide students in the country’s largest school district with the computer science skills needed to succeed in a 21st century world, positioning New York City as a role model for how such a goal can accomplished.

By 2025, the city will ensure that all of its public school students "receive at least one meaningful, high-quality computer science unit or course at each school level: elementary, middle, and high school” after training nearly 5,000 teachers to make it possible.

“We are excited to partner with nearly 5,000 innovative, committed and creative teachers and their administrators to bring computer science to all NYC students. The 450-plus teachers we’ve worked with have shown tremendous dedication to learning new content, embracing their students’ and their own creativity, and expanding opportunities for all students,” said Debbie Marcus, Executive Director of Computer Science for the New York City Department of Education.

Just one year into the initiative, the city has raised $20 million in private donations so far. And, the city just received new commitments from Math for America (MƒA), Robin Hood Education and Technology Fund, Alexandria Real Estate Equities and several others.

The $40 million will ultimately be matched by public funding, raising the total price tag of the 10-year initiative to $80 million.

“This isn’t just for particular students from particular backgrounds; learning how to think critically and computationally, and how to create with technology, must be for all students. I thank our private partners for recognizing the importance of this initiative and for their investment,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña.

Looking forward, experts believe this initiative will result in hundreds of thousands of students being prepared with the necessary skills to work in a modern world. 

”[M]any of these students will be prepared to fill the 200,000 additional technology jobs that New York City’s employers will create over the next decade while all graduates will be equipped with soft skills needed to successfully navigate the 21st century economy,” said the Office of the Mayor in a statement.

Nicole Gorman, Senior Education World Contributor

9/22/2016