Code.org

Code.org
Name	Code.org
Founded	0 2013
Founders	Hadi Partovi, Ali Partovi
Location	Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Focus	Computer science education
Website	https://code.org

Code.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools, with a particular emphasis on increasing participation by young women and students from other underrepresented groups. Founded in 2013 by twin brothers Hadi Partovi and Ali Partovi, the organization works to demystify coding and promote the study of computer science as part of the core K–12 curriculum in the United States and globally. Its signature event, the Hour of Code, has become a worldwide movement, introducing hundreds of millions of students to their first lines of computer programming.

History

The organization was launched in January 2013 by technology entrepreneurs and investors Hadi Partovi and Ali Partovi, who were inspired by their own experiences in the tech industry and a desire to address a growing skills gap. A pivotal moment came later that year with the release of a video featuring prominent figures like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Chris Bosh advocating for learning to code, which went viral and helped launch the first Hour of Code during Computer Science Education Week in December 2013. Rapid growth followed, fueled by support from major corporations and partnerships with school districts, leading to significant advocacy work for state-level policy changes to fund and recognize computer science as a core academic subject. This advocacy contributed to policy shifts in states like Arkansas, Indiana, and Nevada.

Mission and goals

The primary mission is to ensure every student in every school has the opportunity to learn computer science, just as they do biology, chemistry, or algebra. Central goals include broadening participation to engage more female students, as well as students from Black, Hispanic, and low-income communities who have been historically underrepresented in the field. The organization aims to integrate computer science into standard school curricula, moving it from an elective to a fundamental subject, and to equip teachers with the training and resources necessary to teach it effectively. Underlying this is a belief that understanding computer science is essential for digital literacy and future career readiness in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Initiatives and programs

Its most recognizable initiative is the Hour of Code, a one-hour introduction designed to show that anyone can learn the basics, often featuring tutorials with themes from Minecraft, Star Wars, and Disney characters. Beyond this introductory campaign, the organization provides a comprehensive, free K–12 curriculum and online learning platform used in classrooms worldwide. It operates the Code.org Professional Learning Program, which offers extensive workshops and support to prepare educators, often with no prior background, to teach computer science courses. Other major programs include advocacy for state and federal policy, the creation of district partnerships to implement full courses, and the development of specialized courses like Computer Science Principles and Computer Science Discoveries.

Impact and reach

The Hour of Code has reached hundreds of millions of students in over 180 countries, making it one of the largest educational campaigns in history. The organization's curriculum and platform are used by tens of millions of students and over a million teachers globally. Its advocacy efforts have been instrumental in changing education policies, with numerous states now allowing computer science to count towards high school graduation requirements in mathematics or science. Furthermore, its focus on diversity has shown measurable results, with its introductory courses having a higher percentage of female, Black, and Hispanic students than the national average for Advanced Placement computer science classes.

Partnerships and funding

The organization has secured support from a wide coalition of technology companies, philanthropies, and individuals. Major corporate partners and donors have included Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Facebook, the Infosys Foundation, and Ballmer Group. Significant funding has also come from the U.S. government through grants from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Education. These partnerships often extend beyond financial support to include technical collaboration, volunteer engagement from company employees, and promotional support for campaigns like the Hour of Code.

Criticism and controversies

Some educators and academics have critiqued the Hour of Code and similar introductory programs for promoting a potentially superficial understanding of computer science, arguing that a one-hour activity, while good for awareness, does not equate to substantive learning. Others have expressed concern that the organization's close ties to major Silicon Valley corporations, such as Microsoft and Facebook, could influence curriculum content to favor specific commercial platforms or a narrow, industry-serving view of the discipline. Additionally, while praised for increasing raw participation numbers, some critics note that achieving deep, systemic change in school systems and truly closing persistent demographic gaps in the tech industry remains a complex, long-term challenge.

Category:Computer science organizations Category:Educational technology organizations Category:Non-profit organizations based in Seattle