TFA, AT&T deal will expand computer science education in KC
December 5, 2016 | Meghan LeVota
Despite the growing number of computing job openings, only 1 in 4 U.S. schools offer computer science classes, according to the White House.
To expand its computer science initiative, Teach for America Kansas City announced Monday that the organization received a donation of $100,000 from AT&T’s philanthropic arm, AT&T Aspire.
The partnership’s goal is to expand computer science education to low-income communities and reach more than 150 area students with professional development programs as well as resources for teachers. With AT&T’s support, Teach for America Kansas City members will have access to computer science curriculum and professional development.
Both organizations said they are committed to connecting teachers to opportunities to develop youth tech skills.
“Our young people are our greatest strength and will set the course for our future,” AT&T Missouri president John Sondag said in a release. “By working with Teach For America we are able to provide critical opportunities in computer science that will help ignite their potential and set them on a track to succeed in 21st-century careers.”
In 2015, Teach for America formally launched its computer science initiative with the support of AT&T and the National Science Foundation. In addition to Kansas City, the initiative will spread to the Bay Area, Dallas-Fort Worth, Rio Grande Valley, South Carolina, and Washington D.C. over the next two years.
2016 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Former Netchemia CEO, KC venture capitalist launch new fund for Midwest software firms
Keith Harrington isn’t looking for hockey-stick growth companies. With the new fund he’s co-leading — Novel Growth Partners — Harrington wants to invest in small, steadily-growing tech companies in the Midwest. But instead of a traditional venture capital model, Novel is employing a revenue-based finance model that should appeal to more entrepreneurs, Harrington said. “We believe that…
1 Million Cups celebrating black startups with all black founders, experts in February
A lineup of all black presenters and experts at February’s 1 Million Cups events aims for exposure and awareness about Kansas City’s thriving community of black entrepreneurs, said Adrienne Haynes. “Many of these companies are not necessarily tech-based. They might not be at Plexpod or WeWork. Many of them have their own facilities — maybe…
Listen: Behind the scenes interview with Hyperloop One exec on Missouri plan
By now you’ve likely seen that Missouri is a top five favorite to land a Virgin Hyperloop One route. If built in Missouri, the tubular transportation system would move people from Kansas City to St. Louis in 30 minutes, creating a mega-region that combines the state’s biggest cities, said Dan Katz, director of global public…
ScaleUP! KC expands impact with 18 entrepreneurs in latest class
In announcing its latest class, the ScaleUP! KC incubator embraced its track record of helping Kansas City entrepreneurs develop the business skills needed to take the next steps on their journeys. Now on its seventh cohort, the program has graduated 92 business owners, including startups like The Sundry, Ruby Jean’s Juicery, Cambrian Tech, H3 Enterprises…