Adoption of new K-12 Computer Science Standards – Free Curriculum Materials and Professional Learning Supports

On May 14, 2019, the State Board of Education (SBE) adopted the new Michigan K-12 Computer Science Standards. These new content standards that have never before been in place will play a critical role in ensuring Michigan becomes a Top 10 in 10 education state through supporting high-quality instruction. The vision for computer science is not that all students will become coders or computer scientists, but rather that they will develop foundational computer science skills to solve problems and be constructive citizens through:

 

• Learning new approaches to problem solving;
• Harnessing the power of computational thinking; and
• Using computer science tools to create, rather than consume, technology.

 

The Michigan K-12 Computer Science Standards define what all students are expected to know about computer science in grades K-10 (standards levels 1A, 1B, 2, and 3A). Level 3B of the standards, High School Specializing, is intended for students who wish to pursue the study of computer science through specialty or elective courses. The K-12 Computer Science Standards will not be included on a state summative test at this time.

 

It is critical that schools receive implementation supports to address the new Michigan K-12 Computer Science Standards. Along with announcing the new standards, this memorandum highlights an opportunity to access free curriculum materials and professional learning. Code.org, through a collaborative partnership with the West Central STEM Region, is providing schools with free access to K-12 curriculum materials available at www.code.org.  Professional learning is also currently offered at no cost to Michigan educators. Here is an overview of what schools can expect:

 

Elementary – CS Fundamentals

• Curriculum is offered by grade level for grades K-5.
• One day professional learning options can be scheduled year-round for a cohort of teachers. Many CS Fundamentals workshops are already scheduled around the state between now and August.

Middle School – CS Discoveries

• Curriculum is a best fit for 6^th – 9^th grade.
• Professional learning provides five days of summer training with four follow-up school year workshops.
• The teachers in the professional learning are part of a cohort.
• To qualify for the professional learning, schools need to commit to offering at least one semester of the CS Discoveries Course (50+ hours) for the fall of 2019.
• Applications are currently available. Seats are limited to the first 100 teachers in the program.

High School – AP Computer Science Principles

• Curriculum is a best fit for 10^th – 12^th grade.
• Professional learning provides five days of summer training with four follow-up school year workshops.
• The teachers in the professional learning are part of a cohort.
• To qualify for the professional learning, schools need to commit to offering at least two trimesters of the CS Principles Course (100+ hours) for the fall of 2019.
• Applications are currently available. Seats are limited to the first 100 teachers in the program.
• The Code.org AP Course Audit is available at no cost to schools and is
• pre-approved by the College Board.
• Schools can offer this course as an AP course or not as an AP course.

All the information about the program can be found on the www.mi-coding.com website. Links to apply for the professional learning are also available at this site. The professional learning program is being made available at no cost to schools through a grant by the MiSTEM Advisory Council. The openly-licensed curriculum is provided at no cost to schools through support from Code.org. The partnership opportunity between these organizations directly aligns with Goal Two of the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Top 10 in 10 Strategic Plan to implement high-quality instruction, through supporting the implementation of the new K-12 Computer Science Standards.

 

Spots are limited; consider applying today. For more information about this program, contact the West Central STEM Region Director Kathy Surd, ksurd@wsesd.org, or the MiSTEM Program Manager Larry Wyn, wynlar@gvsu.edu.  For more information regarding the new K-12 Computer Science Standards, go to www.michigan.gov/mde-cs. Questions regarding the new K-12 Computer Science Standards should be directed to Ann-Marie Mapes, MDE Educational Technology Manager, at mapesa@michigan.gov.