Improving Equity in Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles Courses
Project Director:
EDC Staff:
Funded by:
U.S. Department of Education
Partners:
Abt Global; North Carolina State University; University of California, Berkeley; SAP; Microsoft TEALS; College Board
Focus Area:
Education Workforce & SystemsElementary & Secondary EducationSTEM Education & Workforce Development
Region:
United States
Duration:
2021-Present
Challenge
Employment opportunities in computer-related occupations are growing dramatically. Yet computer science programs in schools are not expanding at the same rapid pace. Too few students have a chance to take computer science courses that will equip them with skills that are key to workforce success.
With funding from the U.S. Department of Education, EDC is leading the Improving Equity in Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Principles (CSP) program. Building from the lessons of EDC’s Beauty and Joy of Computing and New York City researcher-practitioner partnership project, the program’s goals are to build the capacity of participating high schools to support an AP CSP course centered on the Beauty and Joy of Computing (BJC) curriculum and to help ensure that all students receive outstanding computer science instruction.
Key Activities
The project is carrying out the following activities:
- Designing a comprehensive, school-based computer science program and implementing the program in 40 high schools across the United States
- Offering the BJC curriculum materials, resources, and support to teachers and students (freely available at bjc.edc.org)
- Providing professional development and implementation support to 40–60 teachers to prepare them to teach an AP CSP course with the BJC curriculum
- Conducting an impact study using a quasi-experimental design to assess the effectiveness of the program at improving student outcomes
Our Impact
- The project will build program capacity in 40 schools and provide BJC professional development to 40–60 teachers.
- The program will serve 1,200–1,600 students, who will receive AP CSP instruction across three academic years.
- The research will contribute to the understanding of how CS programs can be designed to support greater participation by students.
- The study will advance knowledge about supports needed for successful implementation of rigorous CS curricula and instruction in high-need schools.
