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About Us
CodeWV is a partnership among West Virginia University, the West Virginia Department of Education, Code.org and Apple committed to expanding computer science education across all K-12 public schools in West Virginia.
By preparing educators to teach age-appropriate curriculum to students, CodeWV aims to impact hundreds of local students year after year with access to computer science.
CodeWV is housed in the WVU Center for Excellence in STEM Education (WVUCE-STEM) and serves as the Code.org Regional Partner for West Virginia. CodeWV recognizes that computer science is fundamental for children's future success. The program aims to bring computer science courses into schools, enhance the state's computer science learning standards and help define the requirements for computer science teaching certification in a local, sustainable fashion.
CodeWV meets the guidelines of the West Virginia Department of Education's computer science plan, the West Virginia College and Career Readiness Standards for Technology and Computer Science, which went into effect in July 2019.
Every student in every school deserves the opportunity to learn computer science.
CodeWV at a Glance
- CodeWV is pioneering new paths for West Virginia educators to teach coding and computer science in the classroom for all grade levels!
- CodeWV provides professional development opportunities to prepare WV teachers to teach computer science regardless of experience or content area.
- Our professional development prepares K-12 teachers to meet the WV Standards for Computer Science and Technology provided by the state. Each course aligns with the standards across all grade levels (K-12) - including Foundations of Computer Science (this course will meet the new state graduation requirement).
- Computer Science will be a WV high school graduation requirement starting with the freshman class entering in the 2027 - 2028 school year. HB2411 - enacted July 10, 2025
- CodeWV, a partnership of WVU, Code.org, and West Virginia Department of Education, brings Professional Learning Programs to West Virginia. This program is housed within the WVU Center for Excellence in STEM Education and is the WVDE Professional Learning Partner for the state Computer Science plan.
- Utilizing the Code.org curriculum, courses are available for every grade K-12. It is free of charge. Teachers can teach a stand-alone course or integrate content into their classrooms.
- In addition to providing statewide professional development opportunities, CodeWV works with school districts through the district partner program. The Code.org District Program helps support district leadership with CS and AI resources and education while also providing them with exclusive data insights on what’s happening in their district with CS curriculum usage, celebrating teachers teaching CS in the classroom and webinars, and other content for district leaders to continue learning and to connect with their peers. Districtwide professional development is available - especially for elementary teachers.
- The Code.org district program is free. If a school district is interested in joining, please email codewv@mail.wvu.edu for more information.
- CodeWV provides opportunities for WV teachers to receive a Computer Science Authorization on their teaching license. For more details, see https://wvde.us/academics/middle-secondary-education/computer-science-technology/credentialing-authorizations
- CodeWV’s professional development for Computer Science Principles and Computer Science A qualify as an APSI as outlined in WVBE Policy 2510.
- A HS computer science requirement, and the opportunity to learn computer science throughout school, is an important benefi t to WV youth. Nationally, just one high school computer science course boosts wages by 8% for all students, regardless of career path or whether they attend college. Yet, most students never even try computer science, because it’s not a graduation requirement. West Virginia just became the 12th state to require students to learn even basic computer science
What is Computer Science?
According to the Computer Science Teachers Association, it is "the study of computers and algorithmic processes, including their principles, their hardware and software designs, their applications, and their impact on society."
In simplest terms, it is the art of telling a computer what to do. To do that, you need to know the language that the computer understands. In that respect, Computer Science is a computational literacy. Like reading, writing, and English, students need to have some basic grasp of how to read and write code.
Our Commitments
- Serving as the hub for West Virginia K-12 computer science.
- Building partnerships with local districts and schools to increase student access to computer science courses.
- Organizing and hosting quality, local workshops for teachers implementing Code.org's programs, with Code.org-trained facilitators.
- Providing tools and resources to local school administrators and counselors through specialized workshops.
- Establishing, growing and sustaining a local community of computer science educators through computer science fairs and community events.
What Computer Science is NOT
- Devices
- Typing
- Being able to play games, text, do social media, navigate apps, etc.
- Knowing how to use applications (Word, Google Docs, etc.)
- Being "good with technology"
- Computer Literacy
- Educational Technology