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Computer Science News and Updates

Computer Science Standards Review and Revisions:

Public Comment Now Open Through March 14, 2024

  • 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 

This is a curated list of both state and national computer science, or computer science related events and opportunities.  We are working together statewide to increase awareness of and access to Computer Science resources, events and opportunities. CDE does not endorse any specific event, professional development, set of instructional materials or curriculum. 
Please complete this form to have an upcoming event or opportunity added to this list.  Requests will be sent to Pam Lewis, CDE Computer Science Senior Consultant, who will add items to the list if deemed appropriate and relevant. 
 
Meetings

 

  • 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...
School Year 2023-2024 

 

  • 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...
  • ​​April 20, 2024 
 
Summer Opportunities 2024

 

  • June 7, 2024
    • Rock CS: Rocky Mountain Computer Science Conference for P-12 Educators
      • In-Person
      • Audience: Educators
      • Cost: Registration Fee (Coming Soon)
  • June 23- 26, 2024  
    • 4 Corners Summit Computer Science ConveningA 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
  • 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 
  • Girls Who Code Summer ProgramsParticipants 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
  • 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

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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.

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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.

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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