2018 - 2019 Computer Science Initiative Application for DISTRICT as Lead Partner
Application submission for the 2018 – 2019 Computer Science Initiative (cohort 2) must be completed using the online application. This document contains information, rationale, purpose and questions, in order to prepare to complete the online application for consideration. 2018 – 2019 Computer Science Initiative DISTRICT Application (cohort 2)
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 EACHof 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.
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; and
*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, i.e., AP CSP: Earth/SpaceScience or 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 willfulfill 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.Top of Form
We are seeking to partner with districts interested in developing computer science competencies from elementary through high school. Students with these competencies will be positioned to exhibit deeper thinking and reasoning skills; develop problem solving persistence;make connections across disciplines and fields of practice/careers; andfulfill job/career needs across the Commonwealth (and nation and world).
- Selected districts will be provided:Professional learning experiences for elementary, middle and high school teachers
- Access to courses/instructional materials at all levels, including AP Computer Science Principles
- Access to mentors/networks of other computer science teachers
Selected districts will:
1. Identify 1 high school teacher, 1 middle school teacher, and 2 elementary school teachers, along with the district’s instructional supervisor/CAO, as the core Computer Science Vertical Team Leaders for the district. Responsibilities for those identified include:
oHigh School Teachers:participate inrequired summer (5 days), and school year (4 days) training for AP CSP; implement AP CSP in the 2018 - 2019 school year; ensure that the course enrollment represents the overall school demographic; ensure that at least 80% of students take the AP exam for the course.
oMiddle School Teachers: participate in required summer (5 days) and school year (4 days)trainingfor Computer Science Discoveries (CSD), a course designed for middle level students. Middle school teachers who participatewill develop information, knowledge and skills forcomputer science competencies;explore age-appropriate learning materials for introducing students to computer science skills and competencies. These teacherswill be expected toteach a CSD class during the2018 - 2019 school year, as well as lead and participate in Hour of Code 2018 beyond a single classroom.
oElementary Teachers:participate in required summer (1 day),fall (2 days) and spring (2 days)trainingto implement computer science lessons in elementary classrooms. Elementary teachers who participate will develop information, knowledge and skills for developing computer science competencies; engage in professional learning experiences throughout 2018 - 2019; explore age-appropriate learning materials for introducing students to computer science foundations; implement at least one unit or mini-unit focusing on computer science skills/competencies; and be expected to lead and participate in Hour of Code 2018 beyond a single classroom.
oInstructional Supervisor/CAO: facilitate the development of the district’s vision for the computer science program; monitor and support the lead teachers; encourage administrator/guidance counselor to attend trainingandensure that students are scheduled in AP CSP.
- Develop and implement a plan for sustaining a computer science program in the district beyond the 3-year commitmentthat reaches more students and offersadditional opportunities for students to explore computer science.
NOTE: In order to complete this application, you will need to know which AP courses are currently offered as well as an ESTIMATION of the percentage of students (by demographic) that are enrolled in those courses. EXACT figures are not necessary, but some general familiarity of who is being served is needed.
Information needed to complete the application:
* 1. Acknowledgement that information, rationale and purpose for the computer science initiative have been read.
2.District name (This is an opportunity to participate in a district computer science initiative.)
* 3.Names of schools thatwould have a plannedrole inthis proposal. This includes feeder schools to the high school (listed in this application as PRIMARY)who would participate in offered trainings to assist with building and sustaining the K-12 Computer Science(CS) program in this district. It is important to include at least one elementary school and one middle school as part of a district CS initiative. This could be a K - 8 school with commitmentto includeelementary gradesand middle grades.
4. Type of credit the district is seeking to offer the AP Computer Science Principles course.
a.Career and Technical Education, as part of a computer science pathway.
b.Mathematics, as a fourth mathematics elective.
c.Science, as an earth/space science/environmental course.
5. The science-related and mathematics-related AP courses that are being offered during the 2017 - 2018 school yearfor the high school listed as PRIMARY in this application.
6. For the 2017 - 2018 school year, the approximatepercentage of the total student population in the highschool listed as PRIMARY in this application who are enrolled in at least one of the AP courses listed in question 5.
7. Percentage of each group in the total school population and percentage of each group enrolled in at least oneAP course for the following groups: Females, Males, White (Non-Hispanic), African American, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Two or more races reported, Free/Reduced-Price Meals and Disability-With IEP (not including Alternate).
Note: This question contain approximant ranges for each student population for the schoollisted asPRIMARY in this application for the school year 2017-2018.This question is intended to prompt reflection of the current status related to students served in AP coursework and assist with determining underrepresented student populations.
8. Assurances to participate in this computer science initiative, such as, the district will:
Develop and monitor a plan to target and attract traditionally underrepresented computer science students such as females, minority students, ELL students, students who quality for free/reduced lunch, students who have an IEP and including students who may not initially seek out a computer science opportunity. Plan events for students, parents and teachers to promote interest and excitement regarding computer science.
Develop a 2-3 year plan to build and sustain a computer science continuum for schools, elementary through high school (district computer science program).
Develop a plan to sustain the district (K-12) computer science program beyondthree years.
Support and allow designated teacher(s) of record to fully participate in all required trainingsduring thesummer and throughout the school year. (Details are forthcoming anddepend onschool level of teacher.)
Support and allow teacher(s) of record to fully participate in a virtual learning community with other teachers in this initiative based on course focus (CTE, math, science).
Develop a contingency plan to maintain a district computer science program in the event that a computer science teacher should leave a participating school.
Develop a contingency plan to maintain a district computer science program in the event that a computer science teacher should fail to fulfill or fail to attend required professional development.
Develop a contingency plan to maintain a district computer science program in the event that change in administration should occur.
Ensure and maintain a teacher of record for AP Computer Science Principles who is effective and willingto participate in this work that will teach according to the focus of the AP CSP course (CTE, mathematics, science).
Develop and monitor an action plan to maintain an adequate number of students for each section of the AP CSP course. Offer AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) as an annual course.
9. Provide a description of the goals for engaging in this effort; include:
- District and school leadership commitment to the initiative for sustainability.
- Structure of proposed district computer science program, e.g., schools, grade levels, number of sections,
- Type of program for elementary and middle schools, e.g., classes, clubs, after-school, once a week.
- Ideas for personnel recruitmentand commitment.
- Ideas for student recruitment planto include recruitment of females, minority students, ELL students, students who quality for free/reduced lunch, students who have an IEP and including students who may not initially seek out a computer science opportunity.
- Ideas for promoting interest and excitement regarding computer science.
10. Name of the primary districtcontact person for the application and if chosen to participate, for the computer science initiative.
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