2018 - 2019 Computer Science Initiative Application for ATC as Lead Partner |
Background and Rationale
In the spirit of re-envisioning success for each student it has become imperative that we as a state, a collective of educators who are responsible for the success of each of our students, position our students for success after graduation. We can accomplish this through emphasizing the skills and knowledge that will better equip students to create and compete within their communities, state, country and the world.
A bipartisan coalition of 27 governors of the National Governors Association (NGA), including Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin, have joined top business leaders in realizing the importance of computer science education. The time has come for Kentucky’s schools to embrace the skills and thinking associated with computer/computational sciences as an essential component of public education. Reading, writing, and arithmetic are no longer the only guarantees of future success. The United States currently has over 499,853 unfilled computing jobs but only 42,969 computer science graduates to fill those jobs. By creating more opportunities for computer science learning, we will reach, keep, and engage more students as partners in learning, create a pool of more qualified individuals to fill existing job-openings within the state, and stimulate suppressed economic regions of our state through developing a work force equipped with high-tech skills.
A bipartisan coalition of 27 governors of the National Governors Association (NGA), including Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin, have joined top business leaders in realizing the importance of computer science education. The time has come for Kentucky’s schools to embrace the skills and thinking associated with computer/computational sciences as an essential component of public education. Reading, writing, and arithmetic are no longer the only guarantees of future success. The United States currently has over 499,853 unfilled computing jobs but only 42,969 computer science graduates to fill those jobs. By creating more opportunities for computer science learning, we will reach, keep, and engage more students as partners in learning, create a pool of more qualified individuals to fill existing job-openings within the state, and stimulate suppressed economic regions of our state through developing a work force equipped with high-tech skills.
Our goals for this effort include:
*Providing more opportunities for ALL students- especially students typically under-represented in high level courses - to engage in advanced coursework that will prepare them for future success;
*Providing more opportunities for ALL students- especially students typically under-represented in high level courses - to engage in advanced coursework that will prepare them for future success;
*Preparing students to address a critical workforce need related to computer science knowledge and skills.
In order to accomplish this, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is engaging with local and national partners (including College Board, AdvanceKentucky, and Code.org) to develop computer science standards, professional learning opportunities for teachers, student industry certifications and teacher certification guidance. Through these partnerships KDE is seeking additional opportunities for more students to have access to a cohesive computer science curriculum that could potentially include awareness of computer science at the elementary level, exploration of computer science at the middle school level and AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) at the high school level. Completion of Advanced Placement ® (AP) courses afford students the opportunity for college credit.
Currently AP CSP can:
- Serve as an elective for high school graduation
- Meet the requirements for a fourth mathematics course for high school graduation depending on the teacher of record and/or
- Count toward the career and technical education (CTE) Computer Science pathway.
And with this initiative, KDE is expanding the use of this course by allowing it to meet a science requirement for high school graduation depending on the teacher of record.
AP CSP: Earth/Space Science/Environmental Course
AP CSP: Earth/Space Science/Environmental Course
For instance, if selected schools wish to implement an AP CSP that was designed to emphasize selected earth/space/environmental performance expectations from KAS then this course will fulfill one of the three required science credits for high school graduation. (Note: Specific guidelines will be provided for this course and will require some extra summer training for teachers who will be teaching this particular version of the course.)
The proposed options for these course credits will require a close working relationship between KDE, EPSB, partners (including College Board, AdvanceKentucky and Code.org), districts, schools, and teachers. However, we are confident that we can establish guidelines for coursework that would meet the needs of all.
The proposed options for these course credits will require a close working relationship between KDE, EPSB, partners (including College Board, AdvanceKentucky and Code.org), districts, schools, and teachers. However, we are confident that we can establish guidelines for coursework that would meet the needs of all.