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Computer Science
Computer Science News and Updates
Computer Science Standards Review and Revisions:
Public Comment Now Open Through March 14, 2024
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Public comment is now open on the proposed standards for K-8 Computer Science. Proposed K-8 Standards can be found on this redlined version of the document. Residents of Colorado are invited to provide feedback on the proposed revisions between now and March 14, 2024. Feedback will be collected through this online survey via Google Forms. Please watch this brief screen recording for further instructions on how to complete the survey. If you have any questions about how to access the survey, please contact Samantha Messier, Director of Standards and Instructional Support, at messier_s@cde.state.co.us.
- In addition to the public comment form, there will also be an opportunity for computer science teachers to join in a teacher focus group, submitting feedback through a form as well as an optional virtual meeting, on March 6, 2024 from 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM. Those interested in participating should contact Pam Lewis, CDE's Computer Science Senior Consultant at Lewis_P@cde.state.co.us
- The Computer Science Standards Review and Revisions Committee wrapped up work on drafting K-8 computer science standards and will present their draft to the State Board of Education at their February 15th meeting. Follow along for updates and watch the meeting live on the State Board of Education's website.
- CDE anticipates collecting public feedback on the K-8 draft between February 15 and March 14, 2024.
- The State Board of Education will review public feedback on both the K-8 and 9-12 draft computer science standards at their April meeting.
Upcoming Opportunities for Educators and Students
- CSTA CO Next Meeting: April 15, 2024 5:30-7:30 PM MST
- CTE: More Information Coming Soon...
- Colorado Computer Science Leaders Meeting: More Information Coming Soon...
- April 6, 2024 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Colorado School of Mines: High School CTF (Capture the Flag) Competition
- Cost: Free (Lunch Included)
- Audience: High School Students
- More Information Coming Soon...
- Colorado School of Mines: High School CTF (Capture the Flag) Competition
- April 20, 2024
- Colorado School of Mines: 2024 Mines High School Programming Competition
- Register your in-person team using this link
- Audience: High School Students
- Find out more by clicking on this link
- Colorado School of Mines: 2024 Mines High School Programming Competition
- June 7, 2024
- Rock CS: Rocky Mountain Computer Science Conference for P-12 Educators
- In-Person
- Audience: Educators
- Cost: Registration Fee (Coming Soon)
- Rock CS Registration Scholarships Available from CSTA Colorado
- Limited number of scholarships available - Apply by April 1, 2024
- To qualify, you must:
- Be a member of CSTA (Basic or +) and CSTA Colorado
- Be a current PreK-12 teacher
- Participate in our CSTA CO discussion board
- Click here to apply for the scholarship
- Rock CS: Rocky Mountain Computer Science Conference for P-12 Educators
- June 23- 26, 2024
- 4 Corners Summit Computer Science Convening: A three-day event focusing on computer science education for Indigenous students in Durango, CO
- In-Person: Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO
- Audience: Educators
- Cost: Coming soon
- 4 Corners Summit Computer Science Convening: A three-day event focusing on computer science education for Indigenous students in Durango, CO
- June 22-26, 2024
- ISTE Live 2024 Conference: "Scale to new heights with hundreds of sessions that will bring you up to speed on the latest learning strategies and edtech trends"
- In-Person and Virtual Options
- Pre-Conference Regional Programming on June 22, 2024 supported by InnEdCO
- Call for Presenters
- Audience :Educators
- Cost: Registration Fee
- ISTE Live 2024 Conference: "Scale to new heights with hundreds of sessions that will bring you up to speed on the latest learning strategies and edtech trends"
- Girls Who Code Summer Programs: Participants learn the computer science skills they need to make an impact, gain invaluable insight into diverse tech careers, and connect with inspiring figures in the field.
- Summer Immersion Program (Virtual)
- Applications Now Open! Register Today
- Cost: FREE
- Audience - Grade 9-12 Students
- Self-Paced Program (Virtual)
- Applications Now Open! Register Today
- Cost: FREE
- Audience - Grade 9-12 Students
- Summer Immersion Program (Virtual)
- July 16-19, 2024
- CSTA Annual Conference: "As a computer science teacher, you are often the only one in your building, or maybe even in your district. There is a whole community of computer science educators just like you out there. Connect with the world’s largest CS department at the CSTA 2024 Annual Conference, set for July 16–19, 2024, in Las Vegas!"
- In-Person: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Audience: Educators
- Cost: Registration Fee
- CSTA Annual Conference: "As a computer science teacher, you are often the only one in your building, or maybe even in your district. There is a whole community of computer science educators just like you out there. Connect with the world’s largest CS department at the CSTA 2024 Annual Conference, set for July 16–19, 2024, in Las Vegas!"
Computer Science Education Grant Program
The window for the Computer Science Education Grant for the 2023-2024 fiscal year opened in October 2023 and the application window closed in November 2024 Grantees were awarded in January 2024, approved by the Colorado State Board of Education. This competitive grant was the first to be hosted in CDE's new grant management software called GAINS. Please continue to check this website for updates on upcoming grants.
2023-2024 Computer Science Teacher Education Grantees
CDE is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023-2024 Computer Science Teacher Education Grant.
- Bayfield 10 Jt-R
- Branson Reorganized 82
- Colorado River BOCES
- East Central BOCES
- Greeley 6
- Jefferson County R-1
- Meeker RE-1
- Mesa County Valley 51
- Montrose County RE-1J
- Pioneer Technology and Arts Academy
- Poudre R-1
- Pueblo City 60
- Roaring Fork RE-1
- Widefield 3
Computer Science Education Grant History
Enacted in 2017, the Computer Science Teacher Education Grant Program, provided $440,000 in professional development grants for teachers in the first year. The legislature allocated an additional $500,000 in 2018 specifically for the elementary school level, where students begin to acquire the thinking and problem-solving skills that make them successful in school and, ultimately, in life. These grants are distributed to districts, BOCES, and charter schools for professional development in computer science for K-12 teachers.
Enacted in 2019 by House Bill 19-1277, the Computer Science Education Grant will provide $250,000 of funding with the purpose of increasing enrollment and participation of traditionally underrepresented students in computer science education activities. Competitive grant awards will be distributed to LEPs, including school districts, BOCES, and district charter schools or Institute Charter Schools. Funding for this grant program will be awarded in the 2022-23 fiscal year.
Computer Science Standards
During the 2016 legislative session, the Colorado General Assembly passed House Bill 16-1198 requiring CDE to develop voluntary academic standards for computer science for secondary students. The Colorado State Board of Education approved the standards on 4/11/18.
Colorado Academic Standards for Computer Science Are Currently in Review and Revision.
Colorado House Bill 20-1032 (section 22-7-1005(6) C.R.S.) amended the provision that required the regular review and revision of the Colorado Academic Standards. The statute previously required the revisions to occur within six years of the prior cycle which occurred in 2018. The changes now require the state board to review and revise approximately one-third of the standards beginning in 2022 and an additional one-third every two years thereafter. These review and revision cycles are not intended to re-write the standards, but to update them to be most current with national and international benchmarks.
It is understood that the 2020-21 school year is the first year of implementation of the standards that were revised in 2018. One-third of the standards that were adopted in 2018 began the review and revision cycle in the spring of 2021 and concluded in the fall of 2022.
Computer Science Resource Bank
The online Computer Science Resource Bank was created through a collaboration with educators and industry experts. Authorized by the legislature in 2017, the online resource bank includes a wide variety of ideas for teachers, including sample curricula and materials – even information about scholarships for students.
This FREE resource has a search feature that allows you to search by resource type, topic area and grade level. Additional resources include computer science organizations and associations as well as partners.
For further assistance, please contact Pam Lewis Lewis_P@cde.state.co.us
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