Texas is a national leader in K-12 computer science education. It requires all high schools to offer computer science courses, and counts computer science as a math or foreign language credit towards high school graduation. It also requires computer science teachers to be certified in the subject. Upcoming changes will add a cybersecurity pathway and allow more computer science courses to satisfy graduation requirements. Texas has seen large increases in female and underrepresented minority participation in AP Computer Science courses.

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July 25, 2018
Texas K-12
Computer Science
Education Policy
Carol L. Fletcher, Ph.D.
Deputy Director
Center for STEM Education
The University of Texas at Austin
carol.fletcher@utexas.edu
@drfletcher88
@weteachcs

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Texas is considered a national leader in K-12 CS Education.
• TX counts AP Computer Science as a math credit for
graduation.
• TX requires high school CS teachers to be certified in
computer science.
• TX requires teachers to pass a CS content exam to be CS
certified.
• TX has state standards for computer science courses.
• TX is a leader in the number of Black, Hispanic, and female
AP CS enrollees.
• And…

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TX requires all HS to offer CS courses!

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74.3(b)(2)(I) Tech App Curriculum Requirement – every district must offer, and
74.3(b)(4) each student must have the opportunity to participate in the following:
Computer Science I
AP Computer Scienceor
At least two (2) of the following:
• Computer Science III
• Digital Art and Animation
• Digital Communications in the
21st Century
• Digital Design and Media
Production
• Digital Forensics
• Digital Video and Audio Design
• Discrete Mathematics for
Computer Science
• Fundamentals of Computer
Science
• Game Programming and Design
• Independent Study in
Evolving/Emerging Technologies
• Independent Study in Technology
Applications
• Mobile Application Development
• Robotics Programming and Design
• 3-D Modeling and Animation
• Web Communications
• Web Design
• Web Game Development
Computer Science II
Curriculum Requirement
Source: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter074/ch074a.html

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Languages Other Than English (LOTE) Credit
•As of April 2018, TX allows CS I, II, III, AP CSP, AP CS
A, & IB CS to count as a LOTE credit
(19 TAC, Subchapter 74.12, b, 5, ii.).
•AP Computer Science A or IB Computer Science
Higher Level can satisfy BOTH one advanced
mathematics requirement AND a LOTE requirement
for graduation (19 TAC, Subchapter 74.11, k).

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HB 3593 - Cybersecurity
SBOE must create a Cybersecurity course Pathway
• UT’s Center for STEM Education is convening Texas CS Task Force to make
recommendations to the TEA on the courses that should be included in the
new Cybersecurity pathway.
• Courses in the pathway should receive weighted funding – may be CTE.
• Cybersecurity course pathway recommendations include at least 1 CS
course.
• Probably won’t be in effect until 2019-2020 school year.

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Fundamentals of Computer Science
(Code.org CS Discoveries)
Grade 8
Computer Science Pathway Recommendation
Computer Science I
Grade 9
AP CS Principles
Grade 9
Computer Science II
Grade 10
AP CS A
Grade 10
Mobile App
Development
or
or
Game Design/
Development
Robotics
Programming
Cybersecurity Database or
Data Analytics

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Back to diversity ...

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Computer Science:
The fastest growing
AP course this
decade
25% increase in
female participation
38% increase in
underrepresented
minorities
Exponential Growth of CS in First Year of
AP CS Principles (2016-17)

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The College Board AP CS Principles Framework
 A number of AP CS Principles curricula available
 No standard programming language
 No recommended order or sequencing
 Includes a research / writing task as well as
programming
 Project Based
 Encourages collaboration and creativity

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PEIMS Numbers
Computer Science Principles
A3580300

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PEIMS Numbers

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Fundamental of CS and CS Principles -
required certification
Technology Applications
or
Computer Science 8-12
Teacher Certification

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