Rhode Island Launches Two Codes Initiative

Earlier this month, the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) and College Board announced a new partnership to help more students master two disciplines that are becoming increasingly interconnected—civics and technology. Two Codes is the College Board’s effort to encourage schools to expand access to AP U.S. Government and Politics and AP Computer Science Principles and to link the courses through joint projects to help a new generation grapple with democracy in the digital age.

“As we have seen in recent weeks, our young people are hungry and ready to exercise their First Amendment rights to extend the promise of liberty and justice for all,” said Angélica Infante-Green, Rhode Island’s Education Commissioner. “As educators, we want to enhance students’ ability to understand the underlying framework of our democracy—and few things can do that better than something they use every day, computer technology. This program will strengthen our students' ability to understand and contribute to decisions made by their government.”

“It’s not enough to be users of technology; this generation of students needs to guide it and make it work for democracy,” said Stefanie Sanford, College Board’s Chief of Global Policy and External Relations. “Our Two Codes work is designed to equip more students with the knowledge, skills, and agency to shape the future.”

Starting in fall 2020, RIDE will partner with high schools and districts to expand student access to AP U.S. Government and Politics and AP Computer Science Principles and train educators to integrate tools and resources from the College Board and national and local civics- and computer science-oriented organizations.