CodeVA

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CodeVA is Virginia’s statewide Computer Science advocacy, teacher training, support organization. Founded to ensure that Virginia students are ready to meet the demands of a 21st century workforce, CodeVA provides free, high-quality training needed to build Virginia’s K-12 computer science infrastructure. Founded in 2014 as a 501c3 nonprofit, CodeVA became Code.org�s first national affiliate partner organization, and in 2016, became one of Code.org�s first seven Professional Learning Partners. Since 2014, CodeVA has trained more than 500 teachers across the state, with a presence in half of Virginia school divisions. In addition to its teacher training initiative, CodeVA also develops direct student programming, providing summer and after-school programming that mixes arts, crafts, music and computer science to engage students. CodeVA�s direct student programs have served more than 500 students since summer 2014, and average 50 percent girls. More than 30 percent of program spots are reserved to provide free services for low-income students. Also in 2016, CodeVA spearheaded passage of state legislation making Virginia the first state in the nation to mandate Computer Science for all students from kindergarten through 12th grade. This key national education and economic development policy objective is a priority for Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe. To prepare state school districts to meet this mandate, CodeVA’s teacher training model provides training, curriculum and support at no cost to school districts. In addition to its Code.org partnership, CodeVA is a member of Expanding Computing Education Pathways (ECEP) Alliance. Virginia has a vested interest in Computer Science education. Nationally, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Virginia is in the top four among states with the most Computer Science jobs, and has a higher density of computer science jobs per capita than any other state. Virginia is the Digital Dominion. Key Virginia industries like Aerospace Engineering and Cyber-Security rely on computer science, as do Virginia’s growing advanced manufacturing and banking sectors. Computer Science is a basic and necessary foundational literacy, like reading or math, and CodeVA believes every Virginia child has a right to basic computer science literacy. CodeVA’s advocacy efforts ensured this right for all Virginia students.