Computer Science Professional Development

Computer Science Teaching Pathways

Teachers need 24 credits of computer science education for an endorsement in Instructional Technology (K-12) addressing the following topics or successful completion of the Computer Science Praxis exam 5652 with a passing score of 149.

Data structures, languages, and databases
Web-based programming and design
Knowledge of operating systems
System design, implementation, and management
Media and software applications
Robotics, file management, instructional design, and other computer applications (i.e. cybersecurity)

Teacher may also apply for CTE credentials that honor previous work experience, classroom experience, and or bachelor's degrees in the content.

Secondary CTE Informational Technology Endorsement

Additionally, computer science professionals who would like to become teachers can apply for the alternative teaching licensure.

Professional Development Questions

Districts may wish to work collaboratively to provide computer science professional development by region. For information regarding professional development possibilities or instructional support, please contact

Pam Lewis Lewis_P@cde.state.co.us

The following institutions and organizations offer courses or programs in computer science, programming, instructional technology, CS pedagogy, cyber-security, and more.

Colorado Universities and Colleges

*Colorado School of Mines is offering high quality 3-day to 5-day computer science teacher education courses, plus several 3 credit computer science courses. (ECS, CSUnplugged, BJC, Python, Bootstrap, AP Institute, Mobile CSP, Beyond Theory - Proven Practices in EdTech, and more!). Mines offers courses for teachers who are new to CS, experienced CS teachers, and teachers who are tech professionals but could use some pedagogical information.

Colorado Non-Profit Computer Science Education Organizations

STEMPath a graduate level STEM and Computer Science teacher certifcation program, a collaboration of Couragion, mindSpark Learning and Metro State University in Denver
mindSpark Learning is the Code.org Colorado Regional Partner offering computer science professional learning workshops for elementary (CSF), middle (CSD), and high school (CSP) teachers. They also provide the following computer science professional learning offerings: robotics workshops, custom professional learning packages, district level workshops, a Technology Institute, and a STEM Institute.
TEALS, Teaching Education and Literacy in Schools, provides computer science professional volunteers with computer science teachers. TEALS offers curriculum modules and labs for experienced CS teachers and actually co-teaches CS courses with new CS teachers.