Chapter Leaders

Administrators are key to implementing quality and systematic computer science programs. Their buy-in and support of computer science programs can take programs from a class or two to a systemic pathway accessible to all students. But with the variety of initiatives an administrator is required to attend to, it can be difficult to focus their attention in this direction, especially if your state does not have computer science education requirements in place.

Through conversations with computer science teachers and advocates across the country, CSTA Equity Fellows Rudy Escobar and Michelle Meier saw a common need. Computer science teachers and advocates needed help talking to their administrators about the value of computer science education for all students.  They need assistance helping administrators understand the importance of systemic inclusive and equitable computer science implementation, and helping them resolve some of the common barriers schools face when implementing computer science programs. Rudy and Michelle used their experience as county and Area Education Agency computer science consultants and coaches to create reflection questions and a structure you can use to help your administrators better understand why equitable and inclusive computer science instruction is necessary for all students at the systems level as well as potential approaches to address the specific challenges buildings and districts can face when implementing a new content area such as computer science. The questions and structure mirror existing coaching and improvement structures and fits within the CAPE Framework.

The idea for this work came from the many conversations Rudy and Michelle have had with computer science teachers and advocates across the country. Several teachers highlighted the challenges they face in expanding their computer science programs, given the limited time and resources available in a bustling educational environment.. Those teachers and advocates who already had computer science programs in their buildings and/or districts often expressed the difficulty faced in convincing administrators that computer science is necessary for all students, increasing equity and inclusion within those programs. They noticed the one thing the districts with successful programs had in common was strong administrative backing.

Join Rudy and Michelle at CSTA on July 18th at 2:30 in the Forum Ballroom 128 to learn more about the reflection questions, the structure, and how you can use the resource to improve computer science implementation and plan for the future.