In partnership with the Education Development Center (EDC) and schools across the Commonwealth, the Department developed and piloted instructional modules to facilitate implementation of the DLCS standards in grades 1-6. We are also pleased to announce the launch of two DLCS Instructional Support Networks: professional learning opportunities for teachers, coaches (including Instructional Technology Specialists), and/or district administrators. One of these networks will build on the work begun with EDC.
Note that 2019 is the last year of the current E-rate program, a federal program that provides technology discounts for schools and libraries. We're partnering with the nonprofit EducationSuperHighway to help you make the most of your technology investments.
NOTE: This new license does not affect existing licenses; you may continue to work in your current role(s) under your existing license(s), and any waivers to that effect at the local level remain in place.
Access to PK-12 Computer Science Courses in Massachusetts, 2016-2017
This report used data from the 2016-2017 school year to look at where computer science is taught in Massachusetts, the extent to which courses aligned to the DLCS standards, which students took computer science, and how they performed. In sum, the report cites disparities in access to standards-aligned computer science education. These disparities disproportionately affect students of color, female students, low-income students, students with disabilities, and English learners. Data from the report will be the baseline for measuring year-over-year improvement in course access, alignment, participation, and performance.
Computer Science and MassCore
In June 2018, the Boards of Elementary and Secondary and Higher Education voted to amend MassCore to allow a computer science course that includes rigorous mathematical or scientific concepts and aligns with the DLCS standards to substitute for either a mathematics course or a laboratory science course. To be accepted as meeting the mathematics or laboratory science course requirement, a computer science course must be: significantly aligned to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks; offered for mathematics or science credit after review by the district as meeting district guidelines for mathematics or science courses; and equivalent to a full year of learning. The Departments of Higher Education and Elementary and Secondary Education will identify the specific courses aligned to the DLCS standards eligible for substitution and publish a list by the end of the 2018 calendar year.
Instructional Modules
Looking for resources to help integrate computer science into the elementary grades? In partnership with EDC and schools around the state, the Department developed and piloted instructional modules to facilitate implementation of the DLCS standards in grades 1-6. Broadening Participation of Elementary Teachers and Students in Computer Science through STEM Integration and State-Wide Collaboration is an National Science Foundation STEM+C funded project with the goal to prepare elementary students for success in a computationally dependent world by developing computation thinking skill. See our computational thinking webinars and curricular materials.
This network for teachers, coaches (e.g., Instructional Technology Specialists), and/or district administrators will build out an existing guide for integrating computational thinking (CT) into mathematics and science and technology/engineering (STE) curriculum for grades 1-6 (developed under the National Science Foundation’s STEM+C initiative Grant # 1543136) to include grades K-8. This network will articulate opportunities for teaching the DLCS standards within the English language arts, health, and history and social science standards in addition to the STE and mathematics standards. The network will identify aligned instructional materials and suggest professional development opportunities for each grade that support DLCS integration. A subset of the network will develop guidance for offering a culminating middle school demonstration project that requires substantial student initiation of designs, ideas, and performances.
Integrating Elementary Computational Thinking in Science & Technology/Engineering & Mathematics Curricula
Also for teachers, coaches, and/or district administrators, this is an NSF STEM+C proposal. If funded, this network will focus on developing the capacity of teachers and schools to integrate CT standards in STE and mathematics curricula in grades 1-6 with integrity and authenticity by providing students with relevant, accessible, real world contexts aligned to the Curriculum Frameworks. This work was developed under the National Science Foundation’s STEM+C initiative Grant # 1543136. Participants will build a shared understanding of the complementary DLCS and mathematics or STE standards by grade level, and learn strategies and structures that will strengthen and balance CT and math or CT and STE instruction and learning. This network will offer professional learning at 3 levels:
Individual teachers looking to integrate computational thinking in their own mathematics or science classes;
Coaches (e.g., Instructional Technology Specialists) looking for a more in-depth professional learning experience to coach or provide professional development to educators in their school or district; and
DLCS Ambassadors, educators looking for a more in-depth professional learning experience and committed to providing professional development to other schools and districts
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E-Rate
As the school year gets underway, the Department is renewing its commitment to help school district technology leaders access E-rate funds to bring robust and reliable Wi-Fi to classrooms across the state. In 2015, as part of E-rate modernization, the FCC made $150 per student of Category 2 funding for Wi-Fi and internal connections upgrades available for 5 years, but as we enter the final year Massachusetts schools have $36.1M left to spend. This funding is only guaranteed through 2019, so we must act now before these funds expire.
In the coming weeks, EducationSuperHighway (ESH) will be calling districts that have not maximized their E-rate funding to make sure they have everything they need to apply for their available budget. They will also connect districts to their team of network and procurement experts who can help districts use those funds to deploy a robust LAN / Wi-Fi network.
Just like last year, the technical assistance and tools provided through the Digital Connections Initiative are free of charge. ESH will also be offering a series of E-rate Category 2 webinars, beginning September 19, register for more information. If you would like to get started right away, schedule a brief call with Christine Yoo, who is ESH’s team lead in Massachusetts, or email her at christine.yoo@educationsuperhighway.org. We look forward to working with you to take advantage of this unprecedented funding opportunity.
To boost students’ interest and raise awareness of STEM education, the Baker-Polito Administration declared a statewide STEM Week from October 22-26, 2018. For more information, please reference the STEM Week press release, or see the full list of STEM Week partner organizations.
Wednesday, November 14, 2018: Anne will present on current initiatives for supporting pre-K-12 STEM education from 10:55-11:45 and integration of computational thinking into math and science curriculum materials from 2:55-3:45 at the Massachusetts STEM Summit.
The Commonwealth Alliance for Information Technology Education (CAIT) sponsors low-cost or free professional development in computer science for K12 teachers and other educators statewide.
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