2022 CSTA Meeting notes

This was from a meeting I attended in 2022 or maybe even 2021. Not sure when.

CSTA Meeting

Updates:

  • Timeline:

    • March 2018: NY authorizes certification and tenure in CS
    • Spring 2019: GSE’s Department of Learning & Instruction votes to create CS teacher education program
    • January 2020: NY releases draft CS standards
    • December 2020: NY adopts CS standards
    • April 2021: NY adopts regulatory amendment aligning teacher prep with NY CS & DF standards
    • April 2021: UB submits proposal for advanced certificate to SUNY, currently under review
    • Fall 2021: UB accepting advanced cert applications?

  • About the program:

    • Our focus: computational literacies
      • Computing cultures
      • Powerful ideas
      • Equity & justice
    • Advanced Cert
      • 5 courses: CS1, CS1.5, Teaching with computational media, Computational literacies, Capstone
    • Initial/Proposal
      • In development; to be submitted soon.

  • Other programs:

    • Hunter (CUNY)
    • NYU
    • Other states (Iowa, Nebraska, California)

  • What I’ll be looking for

    • Teachers interested in being part of CS Ed advisory board
    • Teachers interested in teaching courses
    • Teachers who can host preservice teachers in residency (moving toward full-year residency program)
    • Individual teachers interested in collaborating on research
    • Schools that want to be part of RPP
    • CSTA partnership: community of practice

Appendix: Fact Sheet

  • Grandfathering: 9/1/2022 is the date https://www.nysut.org/resources/all-listing/research/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-certification-in-computer-science

  • Course requirements? http://www.nysed.gov/curriculum-instruction/csdf-frequently-asked-questions

  • Will Computer Science be considered an elective at the High School level?

    Currently courses in computer science can be counted either as elective credit or as the third unit of credit in Math or Science. See “Using Courses in Computer Science to Meet the Requirements for a Regents or Local Diploma,” issued in 2014.

  • Will Computer Science be a graduation requirement?

    The New York State Board of Regents have committed to a review of New York State graduation measures, which will involve stakeholder meetings and input. Any changes to graduation requirements will be considered as a part of this process. For the latest information, please visit the NYSED Graduation Measures website.

  • Do current, NYS certified teachers have to get the Computer Science certification or the Statement of Continuing Eligibility to teach computer science at the K-6 level?

    Not necessarily. Teachers with a NYS certification to teach grades K-6 can teach the CS&DF Learning Standards by integrating computer science and digital literacy lessons and units within their regular teaching assignment. For example, an elementary teacher may teach lessons on computational thinking, participate in “Hour of Code,” utilize a Robot Kit from a BOCES as a learning activity, or incorporate a computer science center into their center rotation, etc., without the certification.

  • Will the Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards have to be integrated into core areas, or will they be required to be taught as a stand-alone course?

    The Standards were crafted to allow for flexibility when delivering instruction. Some schools may wish to teach separate computer science classes, particularly in the higher-grade bands when the content becomes more focused; others may integrate the standards into other subject areas. Decisions on requirements for computer science courses will be made during the Board of Regents’ Graduation Measures Review. Please see the Graduation Requirements/Course Credit section of this FAQ page for more information.

What is the expectation for the instruction of the Computer Science Standards of Learning at the elementary level?

Schools must determine locally how to provide instruction in the Standards. This can be accomplished by integrating the Standards into other subject areas and/or by developing stand-alone computer science course(s).

Are the Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards broken down into grade level standards?

The Standards are banded by grade level: Grades K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-8, and 9-12.  This decision was made upon recommendation from stakeholders, who advocated that banding the standards would allow for the greatest flexibility in implementation.  Instruction in the standards must be implemented so as to allow students to achieve the applicable standards by the end of the band.

When are schools expected to begin teaching to the Computer Science Digital Fluency Standards?

The CS&DF standards will be rolled out incrementally over the next 4 years.  Please see the Roll-out and Implementation Timeline.

What does full implementation mean? How will a school or district determine if they have met full implementation?

Full implementation is ensuring that all Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards are being taught to allow for students to achieve the standards by the end of each grade band.

Notes

  • Pam Healy: what does the state want from us? These standards look very much like they’re written for integration, not standalone courses. This will be a challenge for our graduates. Will they be going out of state?

    The Standards were crafted to allow for flexibility when delivering instruction. Some schools may wish to teach separate computer science classes, particularly in the higher-grade bands when the content becomes more focused; others may integrate the standards into other subject areas. Decisions on requirements for computer science courses will be made during the Board of Regents’ Graduation Measures Review. Please see the Graduation Requirements/Course Credit section of this FAQ page for more information.

    No regents exam currently planned

  • Tom Naber – through STEM

  • Julie Johnson : CS/Math?

  • Eileen Anderson: Tech teacher: position cut -> back to librarian citizenship.

    • Would the advanced cert help with teaching at college level?
    • Has 12 credit hours in CS
    • I find myself a lot–how can I make the lessons more interactive than just me lecturing?

  • Tom: One coding course in C++

    • A lot of what I’ve learned has been on the fly. I don’t have any experience in any of the CS outside of coding. Looksely know how websites work, how networks work, …
    • It would be wonderful if I could teach Algebra II as a CS course.

  • Orlando: Math/physics: Simulating physical phenomena