Joint Board of Ed/Higher Ed meeting: computer science access

Wulfson: looking at barriers to providing more access to computer science
college admission requirements are a major factor in high schools deciding what programs to offer
Conti: preK-12 effort, the change is we're talking about computer science as a foundational skill
"a strong foundation in equity"
"hearing from business partners that there aren't enough suburban kids to meet the needs of the economy"
"not only a moral reason for doing it, there's also a mathematical reason for doing it"

PACE: Programming the Access(?)...of Computing and Equity
MassCore does have an impact on high school requirements
"at a time where computer science is a challenge that needs to be introduced"
"our high school pathways are full..." there isn't space in the day
our recommendation is that it count as a science qualification in MassCore
*(this is the recommendation before the joint Boards)
"don't want to see a narrowing of the science curriculum"
students demonstrate a degree of proficiency in science more broadly
don't want to see it continue in the elective realm, as electives are vital for the social-emotional growth of our students

college computer science professor (?)
a lot of kids struggle with math "and these kids excel at computer science"
"it's a maker discipline...and that connects it very closely with engineering"
attracts a lot of artists
now need equity and access

Verizon person: preparing students for the jobs of the future
analytical, problem solving, critical thinking skills
computer science as a requirement in job descriptions
"we can't sit still"
curricular and PD for teachers to teach computer science

Q: what level of proficiency are we looking for?
"it's possible the lowest common denominator" would be what would be done, "as is done in foreign languages"
A:ecommendation "that business works with those developing the curriculum"
A: "already a solved problem" with curriculum that's out there
"what you can do with computer science"
"it doesn't matter at all what language you teach, as long as you learn something"
not sure if this next is a question or not
tech sector is almost 2/3 white male
"creates two classes: a class of creators and a class of consumers...no reason why all our students shouldn't be creators if they choose to be"

Peyser: remove barrier to open up pathways that have basically been blocked
work to develop curriculum, teacher preparation, course of study
"not reserved for certain categories of students or certain classes of people"
creating an opportunity for making computer science a foundational skill

Stewart: flexibilities offering? licensure?
working on knowledgeable and competent teachers of computer science
and a more robust cohort of teachers of computer science
Conti: what that standard of proficiency is "as high as that is, we will reach it"
college: will ensure alignment with K-12

Cravin: have to have a gap analysis to ensure the access in this
and let's not forget lack of access to broadband
even ensure access to a computer at school that's meaningful
Conti: will force us to get into other issues of equity; notes lack of access to broadband in Western Mass


MOTION: carries unanimously on both boards