Dive Brief:

• Microsoft has announced that it will expand its Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS) program, which pairs tech workers with high schools to teach coding.
• The company added 11 Washington state schools to its roster, bringing its total in the state to 57.
• The move piggybacks on the state’s decision to put $2 million toward training high school teachers on computer science instruction and set standards for the course by next year.

Dive Insight:

Microsoft’s announcement is part of a larger commitment to put $75 million toward expanding access to computer science instruction, especially among students of color and those from underrepresented communities. That includes several initiatives, not only TEALS.

Nationally, TEALS stands to make a big impact on the accessibility of computer science coursework — a goal which is taking on increasing importance as computer-linked jobs grow and schools struggle to keep up. Microsoft representatives say they plan to expand the program to nearly 700 schools across the country, reaching roughly 30,000 students.