Building Capacity to Prepare Secondary Computer Science Teachers

该项目旨在满足国家对6-12年级高效计算机科学教师的需求。有国家的势头，以扩大K-12学生获得计算机科学教育，包括历史上代表性不足，否则边缘化的青年。截至2019年，34个州通过制定K-12计算机科学标准朝着这一目标迈进。 然而，目前美国三分之二的K-12计算机科学教师没有计算机科学学位。 这些教师有限的正式准备引起了人们对全国K-12计算机科学教育质量的担忧。 该项目将为提高肯尼索州立大学培养具有较强计算机科学知识和技能的中学计算机科学教师的能力奠定基础。具体而言，该项目将：（1）研究当地学区的需求以及计算机科学和数学专业的学生对教学的兴趣;（2）开发新的本科和研究生学位课程，以获得计算机科学教师执照;（3）制定课程、教师专业发展机会和推广计划，以加强格鲁吉亚的计算机科学教育，特别是在高需求地区;和（4）创建一个大都会亚特兰大中心的计算机科学教师教育在大学。因此，肯尼索州立大学将在四个领域发展能力：学生的兴趣和专业知识;课程相关性;认证课程;以及招聘，保留和咨询。 肯尼索州立大学的这个项目包括与科布县学区和格鲁吉亚教育部合作，为计算机科学教师教育创建多个项目。此外，该项目将设计和实施针对学生，职前教师和在职教师的活动，以促进，招聘和留住计算机科学教师。 待开发的课程包括计算机科学教学硕士和现有教育硕士学位课程中的中学计算机科学教师集中。 该项目还将开发和完善自学模块，以支持学生准备格鲁吉亚评估教育工作者计算机科学评估认证，可用于展示该州许可证的内容掌握。这个能力建设项目是通过罗伯特诺伊斯教师奖学金计划（诺伊斯）的支持。诺伊斯计划支持有才华的STEM本科专业和专业人士成为有效的K-12 STEM教师和经验丰富的模范K-12教师，成为高需求学区的STEM硕士教师。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project aims to serve the national need for highly effective computer science teachers for grades 6–12. There is national momentum to expand K-12 student access to computer science education, including for historically underrepresented and otherwise marginalized youth. As of 2019, 34 states had moved toward this goal by developing K–12 computer science standards. However, two-thirds of currently certified K–12 computer science teachers in the United States do not have a degree in computer science. The limited formal preparation of these teachers raises concerns about the quality of K-12 computer science education across the Nation. This project will lay the foundation for enhancing Kennesaw State University’s capacity to prepare secondary computer science teachers who have strong computer science knowledge and skills. Specifically, the project will: (1) examine needs in local school districts and the interests of computer science and mathematics majors in teaching as a career; (2) develop new undergraduate and graduate degree programs leading to computer science teacher licensure; (3) produce curricula, teacher professional development opportunities, and outreach programs to strengthen computer science education in Georgia, specifically in high-need districts; and (4) create a metro-Atlanta hub for computer science teacher education at the University. As a result, Kennesaw State University will develop capacity in four areas: student interest and expertise; curricular relevance; certification programs; and recruitment, retention, and advising. This project at Kennesaw State University includes partnerships with the Cobb County School District and the Georgia Department of Education to create multiple programs for computer science teacher education. Moreover, the project will design and implement activities targeting students, pre-service teachers, and in-service teachers with a goal to promote, recruit, and retain computer science teachers. Programs to be developed include a Master of Arts in Teaching in Computer Science and a Secondary Computer Science teacher concentration in an existing Master’s of Education degree program. The project will also develop and refine self-learning modules as supports for students preparing for the Georgia Assessment for the Certification of Educators Computer Science Assessment, which can be used to demonstrate content mastery for licensure in the state. This Capacity Building project is supported through the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program (Noyce). The Noyce program supports talented STEM undergraduate majors and professionals to become effective K–12 STEM teachers and experienced, exemplary K–12 teachers to become STEM master teachers in high-need school districts. It also supports research on the persistence, retention, and effectiveness of K–12 STEM teachers in high-need school districts.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.