Iowa Teachers, Districts Ready to Add Computer Science Education this Fall

More than 280 Iowa educators are convening this week to learn how to ensure students receive high quality computer science instruction across the state.

These educators, administrators and school counselors will select from 25 courses presented by national experts during Iowa’s Computer Science Professional Development Week training the week of June 12 - 16, 2023. All professional development will be held in person on the University of Northern Iowa campus in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Details:

• This week-long learning is supported by a $1.25 million grant from the Iowa Department of Education and is supported by Iowa Area Education Agencies, the University of Northern Iowa, Computer Science Teachers Association, and NewBoCo.

• In 2020 the state of Iowa required districts to have computer science implementation plans in place. That timeline required:
• High schools must offer at least one high-quality one-semester course starting July 1, 2022.
• Middle schools must provide high-quality computer science in seventh or eighth grade by July 1, 2023.
• Elementary schools must provide high-quality computer science in at least one grade level by July 1, 2023.
• Schools and the state also must develop K-12 computer science plans by July 1, 2022.

• This week’s training is a continuation of efforts by organizations from around the state to increase educator capacity in computer science.
  • All nine AEAs in Iowa have been collaborating to provide professional learning opportunities for educators. Specifically, the Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund (CSPDIF) has helped seed these efforts:
    • In 2021: 341 middle and high school teachers from 144 Iowa districts participated in professional learning and training.
    • 2022: 910 Pre-k-12 teachers from 229 districts participated in professional learning and training.