More than 500 business, education, and nonprofit leaders have partnered with Seattle-based computer education nonprofit Code.org to make a call to state governments and other nonprofits. educational leader to bring more computer science opportunities to K-12 students across the United States
Leaders of tech giants including Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, Alphabet and others joined CEOs from companies like Nike, UPS, AT&T, Walgreens, T-Mobile, Zillow Group , Expedia Group and more signed a letter urging action.
“At a time when every industry is impacted by digital technology, our schools should teach every student how technology works, learn to be creators, not just consumers. use,” the letter read. “Instead, this basic skill is taught only to the lucky few, leaving most students behind, especially young women and students of color.”
Code.org says the signers are committed to creating job opportunities for computer science students in every American city and in every field.
“Today, computer science should be a core subject, like basic biology or algebra,” Code.org CEO Hadi Partovi said in a statement. “The United States has seen tremendous momentum behind this idea, and today’s announcement makes it clear that it’s time to act.”
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was among those who signed, and on Tuesday he tweeted about how computer science “changed the course” of his life starting at the age of 13.
Other signatories include a profile of technology and business leaders, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos; Amazon CEO Andy Jassy; Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella; Microsoft President Brad Smith; LA Clippers President Steve Ballmer; Apple CEO Tim Cook; Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai; Meta Founder Mark Zuckerberg; Zillow Group CEO Rich Barton; T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert; YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki; and more.
Code.org was founded in 2013 by twin brothers Hadi and Ali Partovi.
