Release: Ohio CEOs Release “Ohio for Computer Science” Letter, Uniting Behind the Importance of Computer Science in an Age of AI
Open letter from over 100 business and tech leaders calls on Ohio’s state leaders and policymakers to give computer science opportunity to every student
COLUMBUS, OH – More than 100 CEOs and tech leaders from companies across Ohio today released a letter urging more support for computer science education in Ohio’s K-12 schools.
The open letter, titled “Ohio for Computer Science,” and published at www.OhioforCS.com, cites the essential need for digital skills in today’s economy and the growing prevalence of AI as key reasons why more students should learn foundational computer science concepts as part of their core education.
“In today’s economy, every company is a tech company,” said Chris Berry, President and CEO of OhioX. “With the rise of AI, tech education is no longer optional—it’s essential. Building Ohio into a leading tech hub requires a strong tech-focused workforce and that starts with giving every student a chance to learn computer science.”
The letter and website launch comes as the 2024 State of Computer Science Report, released this week, shares new data on which schools in Ohio are offering computer science. Although Ohio had only a 1% net drop in the percentage of public high schools offering computer science since last year, the state had the largest total number of schools stop offering computer science of any state in the country, according to Code.org, lead author of the report and a national nonprofit focused on expanding access to computer science education for all students.
“Although Ohio has made great strides prioritizing policy that supports computer science in recent years, we still see Ohio trailing most of its surrounding states in the percentage of high schools offering this foundational subject,” said Julia Wynn, Director of State Government Affairs at Code.org. “As Ohio looks to position its students for today’s in-demand jobs, computer science education can play a critical role in helping students develop the critical thinking, digital and data skills, and creative problem-solving needed in whatever career they choose.”
Ohio has 61% of high schools teaching computer science, significantly behind neighboring Indiana (91%), West Virginia (78%), and Pennsylvania (75%). Only 3.6% of Ohio students take computer science in any given year, according to the 2022 Report of the Ohio State Committee on Computer Science.
The letter touts computer science as a foundational skill for students in any career path, one that helps to build computational thinking and problem-solving abilities. Describing the subject as a “gateway to economic opportunity for students of every background,” the letter urges state leaders and policymakers to reprioritize investment in computer science education, and “ensure that every student learns computer science.”
This Ohio letter follows a national letter sent by over 800 business and tech leaders to the Governors and Education Leaders of the United States of America in 2022. Read the national letter and call to action here.
Read the full letter from over 100 Ohio CEOs and tech leaders at www.OhioforCS.com.
About Code.org
Code.org is a national 501c3 nonprofit with the vision that every student in every school has the opportunity to learn computer science. Code.org organizes the annual Hour of Code campaign reaching hundreds of millions of students. The Code.org Advocacy Coalition has broad bipartisan support and helped establish computer science policies in all 50 states.
About OhioX
OhioX is a statewide nonprofit trade association dedicated to building Ohio into a leading tech hub. As a membership-based group, it brings together Fortune 500 companies, startups, tech businesses, universities, research institutions, and more from across Ohio. OhioX’s work focuses on connecting, promoting, and advocating for the growth of Ohio’s tech and innovation economy. For more information, please visit www.ohiox.org.
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