Infosys Foundation USA and Hispanic Heritage Foundation launch CSL en Español in partnership in Texas and North Carolina

Students to be taught in-classroom and at-home-coding through a Spanish curriculum for first time

FORT WORTH, TX. – Today, the Infosys Foundation USA and Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) announced the launch of the CSL (Code as a Second Language) en Español through a $200,000 investment grant from the Infosys Foundation USA.  The national initiative will introduce coding to English Language Learners (ELLs) through one of the first Spanish-language, coding options in the nation. CSL en Español will be rolled out in Fort Worth, Texas, and Charlotte, North Carolina.  The CSL en Español program is part of a larger effort between HHF and Infosys Foundation USA that includes LOFT (Latinos On Fast Track) Coder Summits.

Currently, 3.8 million K-12 students in the U.S. are classified as ELLs with Spanish as their primary language. Currently, in the national dialogue around Computer Science (CS), ELLs are left out of the conversation because Spanish-language options don’t really exist. CSL en Español, powered by Infosys Foundation USA, will support the development and delivery of a Spanish-language coding instruction option for children in Grades 1-5. Tynker –the world’s leading coding education provider– is also partner with HHF to support CSL en Español by offering more than $100,000 worth of free and/or heavily discounted licenses. The goal of the effort is to have schools and school districts begin using the Spanish-language offering to reach the most disconnected youth at no cost.

“Driving CSL en Español is the fundamental belief that all youth deserve access to technology-based programs and the opportunity to enter the workforce in a stronger position which will help America move forward,” said Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of HHF. “We believe talent is everywhere and simply needs inspiration and opportunity, especially the most disconnected in our community – English Language Learners.  We are grateful that Infosys Foundation USA and Tynker share in that vision and we are grateful for their leadership in providing all of our youth with CS education.”

CSL en Español is structured as a guided, grade-specific, self-paced learning with interactive assignments that do not require prior background in computer programming. Elementary school teachers will be provided with professional development to easily integrate CSL en Español into their teaching plans–each course will offer detailed teacher guides in Spanish as well.

“At Infosys Foundation USA, we are deeply committed to expanding K-12 computer science education for all. I am proud that through this partnership we can combine Tynker’s expertise in coding with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s long history of building strong Latino and Latina leaders to fill a real gap for English Language Learners in the CS learning space,” said Kate Maloney, Executive Director.

About Infosys Foundation USA

Infosys Foundation USA was established in 2015 with the mission of expanding computer science and maker education to K-12 students and teachers across the United States, with a specific focus on increasing access to underrepresented communities. The Foundation achieves impact through delivering professional development programs for teachers, partnering with leading nonprofits, and delivering innovative media campaigns that inspire everyone to be creators, not just consumers, of technology. Learn more at http://www.infosys.org/usa/ follow on Twitter @InfyFoundation or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/InfosysFoundationUSA.

About Hispanic Heritage Foundation

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is a national nonprofit which inspires, prepares, positions and connects minority leaders in the classroom, community and workforce to meet America’s priorities. Through HHF’s Code as a Second Language initiative, tens of thousands of Latino students across the nation, are introduce and taught to code. Once they are initiated, they are connected to each other, to mentors, and to the award-winning LOFT (Latinos On Fast Track) program for further development, connectivity and placement into the workforce (Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org) Follow HHF on Facebook and Twitter. 

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