ABOUT US

Research demonstrates that there is a lack of skilled workers in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the United States. This disparity is greatest among women and underrepresented minorities. Compton Unified joined the L.A. Area Community Education Initiative, sponsored by Apple with the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), Compton College and Cal State Dominguez Hills to address equity and access to STEM and coding education.  The initiative is part of Apple's commitment to work alongside communities of color to advance educational equity.  This commitment aligns with the Compton Unified School District vision to provide all K-12 students with a high-quality STEM education to close the opportunity gap and increase the number of students who are college and career ready in STEM fields. 

Through this partnership, students and teachers learn coding and app design using Apple's Everyone Can Code and Everyone Can Create curricula. Although the planning phase of this initiative was pre-pandemic, the implementation phase has been during the pandemic with distance learning starting March 16, 2020 through present.  Even through these unprecedented times, the partnership has remained strong and steadfast. The focus has been on educator development in preparation of students to participate in app design and development, learn foundational skills in K12 Swift coding and to infuse creative expression with student voice through multiple mediums. 

​

Implementation and Impact

The impact of this initiative permeates throughout the district with almost half of our  schools participating.  We have fourteen schools including five high schools, five middle schools and four K8 schools.  The focus has been on educator development in preparation of students to participate in app design and development, learn foundational skills in K12 Swift coding and to infuse creative expression with student voice through multiple mediums.