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Saving Your Computer Science Courses

Page history last edited by Chris and Brenda Winikka 14 years, 1 month ago

Saving Your Computer Science Courses

Instructor: Chris Winikka

With the increase of math and science credits required to graduate looming on the near horizon, where will that leave our Computer Science courses (most of which are looked at as expendable elective credit)? In this workshop, we will explore three possible strategies to protect and increase enrollment in Computer Science courses: CS as career technical credit (as Programs of Study), CS as math credit (as Digital Math), and CS as science credit. The workshop is designed to give an overview of options that are out there, preview up and coming workshops, start mobilizing to get computer science recognized as science, and get you the support you need to save your courses.

View the Presentation: Saving Your Computer Science Courses.pdf

 

Oregon's New Diploma Requirements

  • Current graduates (2009-10) are required to have 3 credits of Math, 2 credits of Science, and 1 credit of Career & Technical Education, The Arts, and/or Second Language
  • By 2014, graduates are required to have 3 credits of Math at Alg I and higher, 3 credits of science (2 of those with lab experiences), 3 credits in Career & Technical Education, The Arts, and/or Second Language (any one area or in combination), and among other essential skills, demonstrate the ability to apply math in a variety of settings

 

On the National Level

•The percent of high schools with rigorous computer science courses fell from 40% to 27% from 2005-2009.

•The percent of high schools with introductory computer science courses fell from 78% to 65% from 2005-2009.

•For more information, check out the Computer Science Education Week website (http://www.csedweek.org/

 

Saving CS Through CTE

  • The goal of CTE is “to help Oregon high schools support and prepare students in the acquisition of demanding, industry-based technical and academic knowledge and skills, needed for success in high school and postsecondary preparation, for demand-driven careers.”
  • Computer science courses fall under Computer Technology
  • CTE Licensure is listed as Computer Technology
  • The Most relevant standards are titled, Software Engineering (http://www.ode.state.or.us/apps/oss/default.aspx?cla=311&c=950&fa=1042#FA)
  • There are two main requirements for a CTE program:
  • Licensure (of the teacher)
  • Program Approval (see the link from ODE http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?id=225

 

Pros:

  • Seniors need a Focus Program of Study / Senior Project (mandated by ODE)
  • Graduates will need 3 full credits of fine arts, language, or CTE
  • Already implemented & supported by the state of Oregon
  • The only official existing endorsement for an educator
  • Perkins money can help your program and your own professional development

Cons:

  • In order to get your CTE license, you need to have professional experience
  • only CTE-licensed teachers can teach a CTE course

 

Saving CS Through Math (Discrete Math & Math in CTE)

According to the OPAS Initiative, “The new math standards, adopted in June 2009, include discrete math as a way to meet graduation requirements”

http://opas.ous.edu///Workgroups2007/Prepare/CS_in_OR_June2009_v5.pdf

Pros

  • There is a lot of support growing for Discrete Math
  • Techstart will provide workshops in cooperation with OPAS
  • OPAS is behind it
  • There’s money dedicated for it
  • It’s open source (no upfront costs) There’s a great online textbook with examples using Python (also open source)
  • Mathematics for the Digital Age (http://www.skylit.com/mathandpython.html)
  • If you already have a Math endorsement, it should be an easy integration (from a licensure standpoint – as well as through Math)
  • Provides another avenue to get math credit, particularly with a more interesting subject matter than just math for math’s sake

 

Saving CS Through Science

  • Current Science Standards in Oregon that apply
    • H3 – Scientific Inquiry
    • H4 – Engineering Design
  • See HSD Process for Assigning Science Credit
  • Q: When’s the next time the state of Oregon will revise science standards?
    • Oregon just approved the science standards last year
    • 2016 will be the next time Oregon reviews science standards 

 

The Future of Computer Science?

As confirmed by Tom Thompson, the only existing standards that directly address computer science in Oregon are the Oregon Skill Sets: Software Engineering

It looks like it’s up to us

Opportunities:

  • SuperQuest:
    • CS4HS
    • Discrete Math Workshops
  • The Computational Thinking Trend
  • CSTA’s Exploring Computer Science Curriculum (http://www.csta.acm.org/Curriculum/sub/ExploringCS.html)
    • Human Computer Interaction

    • Problem Solving

    • Web Design

    • Introduction to Programming

    • Robotics; and

    • Computing Applications

 

Resources 

 

 

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