FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14 2023
Summer of CS expands the systematic capacity for equitable, scalable, and sustainable computer science education in California.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Summer of CS, a dynamic computer science educator professional development program, has enrolled over 850 teachers, counselors, school leaders, and paraprofessionals across California to take courses throughout this summer and into the 2023-2024 school year. Launched as a pilot in 2019 with the Sacramento County Office of Education, UCLA, and CSforCA, the program has grown rapidly. In 2022, CSforCA was awarded the California Educator Workforce Investment Grant (EWIG) to expand Summer of CS into a more robust and ongoing Seasons of CS professional learning program across California’s statewide system of support.
“Summer of CS helps educators bridge equity gaps by promoting engagement among students of every gender, race, and socioeconomic status, and this program’s expansion will allow more CS access and equity in California schools,” said Julie Flapan, Co-Director of Computer Science for California (CSforCA) and Director of UCLA’s Computer Science Equity Project.
Summer of CS is a program of CSforCA, a multi-stakeholder coalition comprised of educators, advocates, industry leaders, nonprofit organizations, and higher education institutions ensuring equity, access, and engagement in high quality computer science teaching and learning opportunities that will help prepare California’s students for college, careers, and community engagement. Professional learning for educators is a key recommendation in California’s Computer Science Strategic Implementation Plan, and CSforCA provides a rigorous professional development model for regional teams of teachers, counselors, and school leaders that seeks to increase access and equity for all students.
“Computer science is a core subject – and our increasingly digital world means that all students - especially Black, Latinx and Indigenous students - need the foundational skills taught in CS classes ,” said Sonal Patel, Program Manager for Digital Learning and Computer Science at San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. “Summer of CS will build capacity and equity in our schools for all students to learn computer science, no matter their gender, race, or socioeconomic status.”
Summer of CS is partnering with County Offices of Education across California, including:
Throughout this interactive and community-driven program, educators will be paid a stipend to participate in virtual and in-person workshops across the state that help them bring computer science to life for their students starting in the coming school year. Participants will also have the opportunity to participate in up to 30 additional hours of professional learning during the upcoming autumn, winter, and spring season. Summer of CS enrollees received active commitments from their schools to support their professional development in computer science.
“Summer of CS began as a small professional learning pilot, and has grown into a dynamic program improving access and equity for students statewide,” said Jared Amalong, Director of Computer Science and Digital Learning at Sacramento County Office of Education. “With more educators participating this year than ever before, Summer of CS 2023 will drastically improve the quality and scale of computer science education in California.”
Summer of CS is designed for educators and school leaders to improve access, equity, and engagement in high-quality computer science education for English-learners, low-income, rural, Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students. Over 200 of the program’s registrants serve as educators in rural districts.
Summer of CS is made possible by the $5 million State of California Educator Workforce Investment Grant (EWIG) to build the capacity of teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors and school leaders to deliver high-quality computer science education that prepares all California students for college, careers and civic participation. It is part of Seasons of CS, a professional learning model for K-12 educators that expands systematic capacity for equitable, scalable, and sustainable CS education in California. Seasons of CS was awarded to UCLA in partnership with Sacramento County Office of Education and the Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation.
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