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Chronicles

The story behind the story

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The leaders of Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, Google, and 500+ business, education, and nonprofit companies urge US states to boost computer science education

More than 500 business, education and nonprofit leaders have teamed with Seattle-based computer education nonprofit Code.org

GeekWire Kurt Schlosser

Context & Ripple Effects

This letter is the state-level sequel to a familiar play: in 2016 the same cast of tech leaders joined 27 governors to press Congress on computer science education, backing it with $48M in private donations, $23M of which went to Code.org. By 2017 Code.org had raised $60M from Google and others and was already shaping curricula nationwide (per the New York Times' profile of its influence).

What changed is the target of advocacy — from Congress to individual statehouses — and the breadth of the coalition, now 500+ business, education, and nonprofit signatories rather than a handful of CEOs. It also foreshadows Code.org's later move into AI pedagogy with TeachAI, convening Amazon, OpenAI, Microsoft and others.

First-order effects

  • State legislators and education agencies become the decision point: the coalition's ask shifts funding and curriculum-standard decisions for CS courses from Washington to governors and state boards, where Code.org's existing curricula are positioned to be adopted.
  • The five named companies — Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, Google — convert a shared talent-pipeline concern into public policy capital at no direct cash cost, unlike the 2016 round's $48M in donations.

Second-order effects

  • Rival employers outside tech face pressure to join or fund similar coalitions or cede curriculum influence to the companies that showed up; the collective-letter format proven here (and earlier by the 51-CEO privacy-law letter) becomes a reusable template.
  • Education vendors and nonprofits competing for CS-education contracts must align with or differentiate against Code.org, whose funder roster includes the very companies doing the lobbying.

Third-order effects

  • If state adoption follows, K-12 computer science moves from elective toward default subject, structurally expanding the future engineering labor pool that large tech firms draw on — and entrenching Code.org-style nonprofits as intermediaries between industry and public education.
  • Corporate coalitions acting as de facto education-policy lobbyists normalize industry steering of public curricula, raising the accountability questions that accompanied Code.org's rise since 2016.

The trend: Tech's education advocacy is migrating from one-off federal lobbying with donation sweeteners to sustained, broad-coalition pressure on state governments, with Code.org as the standing conduit.

Discussion

  • @codeorg @codeorg on x
    Wow! The CEOs of the largest companies and nonprofits in the United States have joined forces to make computer science a basic part of the K-12 curriculum. See who's on board: https://ceosforcs.com/
  • @billgates Bill Gates on x
    When I was 13, computer science changed the course of my life. I was really lucky to have access to a computer that early on. I hope this initiative will give every student the same opportunity. https://twitter.com/...
  • @tim_cook Tim Cook on x
    Coding is one of the most valuable skills a person can learn. It can open new doors, jumpstart careers, and help big dreams seem like achievable goals. Everyone around the world should have an opportunity to learn how to code. https://www.ceosforcs.com/
  • @anthonyrhino Anthony on x
    We agree with @Apple CEO @tim_cook . Being a father, and having been blessed with a strong education, we believe it's time for a renaissance in education. We must invest in teachers + restructure our curriculum to empower everyone. Coding is the great equalizer. Our teachers can.…
  • @rfs_vista Robert F. Smith on x
    Our schools should equip students with the knowledge & skills needed to navigate the digital economy. I am proud to join @codeorg in their letter to Governors & Educators, which calls for access to computer science education for each & every K-12 student. https://www.ceosforcs.co…
  • @jasoncitron Jason Citron on x
    Computer science opened up a world of opportunity for me. Every student should have the chance to learn one of our generation's superpowers. Even if it's just to make video games :) You can help K-12 students across America have more oppty via @codeorg https://www.ceosforcs.com/
  • @learningcode @learningcode on x
    We developed a Pan-Canadian Computer Science Framework to guide policymakers, curriculum developers, and educators in implementing Computer Science education in 🇨🇦 classrooms. And now look at the great work https://code.org/ is doing in the States! https://twitter.com/...
  • @jebbush Jeb Bush on x
    Computer science is a fundamental part of education, and that's why I joined more than 500 other leaders to call for every student to have the opportunity to learn computer science as a basic part of education. Learn more: https://www.ceosforcs.com/
  • @joedmarti J. Martin on x
    This is a huge deal. I love how https://code.org/ is always leading the charge with educating the future leaders in tech. https://twitter.com/...
  • @camiinthisthang Cami on x
    It only took 15 years 😬 https://twitter.com/...
  • @bradsmi Brad Smith on x
    Every job in every sector of the economy requires digital skills, from engineering to the arts. Yet only 5% of US high school students study computer science. Every student deserves the opportunity to build skills to be competitive in tomorrow's economy. https://www.ceosforcs.com…
  • @fredhum Frederick Humphries on x
    Computer science is essential for almost every career. Every student in every school should have the chance to learn these skills. I'm proud Microsoft's @satyanadella and @BradSmi are signatories, alongside 500 CEOs and leaders across the nation. https://www.ceosforcs.com/ @codeo…
  • @khanacademy @khanacademy on x
    Computer science education is essential in today's world. We believe every student in every school should have the chance to learn it, which is why we've joined 500 CEOs and leaders across the nation to support making CS a basic part of K-12 education. https://www.ceosforcs.com/ …
  • @eastdakota @eastdakota on x
    This was the definition of “no brainer” to sign on to. #ceosforcs https://twitter.com/...
  • @antonioneri_hpe Antonio Neri on x
    At @HPE, we don't believe there is a talent shortage; we believe there is an experience shortage. Today, I joined 500 business and nonprofit leaders to call for every student in every school to have the opportunity to learn computer science. https://www.ceosforcs.com/
  • @peggyj Peggy Johnson on x
    Today I join 500 business and nonprofit leaders to call for every student in every school to have the opportunity to learn computer science as a basic part of education. I encourage other leaders to sign, to better prepare our children for the future. https://www.ceosforcs.com/.
  • @susanwojcicki Susan Wojcicki on x
    When I was young, I didn't see myself as someone who would work in tech. But I took a CS class in college and it changed the course of my career. Every student should have the opportunity to explore how computer science could impact their lives! https://www.ceosforcs.com/
  • @btaylor Bret Taylor on x
    Computer science is essential for almost every career in today's world. I believe every student in every school should have the chance to learn it, which is why I added my name to this letter, alongside 500 other CEOs and leaders across the nation. https://www.ceosforcs.com/
  • @carolbtome @carolbtome on x
    As an innovation-driven company, @UPS knows how important #technology is in moving our world forward. I'm proud to join @Codeorg's call for greater access to computer science education to prepare students for success not just in tech, but in almost any career. https://twitter.com…
  • @sasan_goodarzi @sasan_goodarzi on x
    It's critical to better prepare the next generation for their future jobs. Alongside @codeorg and more than 500 CEOs, I'm honored to advocate for all students to have the opportunity to learn computer science and pursue careers in tech and beyond. https://www.ceosforcs.com/