As much as we know that teachers are key to equitable implementation of computer science in their classrooms, we also know that school leaders hold the locks. In an effort to address obstacles facing teachers to expand access to computer science education, CSforCA co-created a workshop designed by and for school leaders. The centerpiece of this equity-focused workshop is the CS Equity Implementation Guide to help troubleshoot common dilemmas. We encourage school leaders looking to drive computer science education in California to explore this resource, along with our top ten takeaways from the workshop:

1. Find a community of like-minded leaders to support you and learn together on your CS journey.
2. Use local and state data to examine patterns of who has access to CS in your region or school.
3. Develop an action plan with clear goals to keep you on track to expand access and equity.
4. Explore the history of equity and access in CS, like Jane Margolis’s book Stuck in the Shallow End or the graphic novel Power On!
5. Support your teachers by signing them up for Seasons of CS, a yearlong computer science professional development program.
6. Join your local chapter of Computer Science Teachers Association, a supportive environment for K-12 CS educators.
7. Partner with your local higher education institutions to take advantage of pre-service teacher education opportunities, including the CS supplementary authorization.
8. Integrate computer science with other disciplines leveraging the Math, Science, Computer Science Partnership Grant and the California Subject Matter Projects.
9. Sign up with the CSforCA coalition and advance efforts to broaden participation in computing.
10. Spark joy in learning CS!

School leaders play a pivotal role in the success of computer science education. While working as change agents within the CS education landscape, school leaders are able to assist in unlocking some of the gates that have been barriers within their systems. School leader Darren Alcala shared, “Systems of support are needed. Without them, there is a cog in the system that is missing. This can be accomplished when both teachers and school leaders can see the value of CS education.”