1. CS4Alabama: A Model for Statewide Deployment of CS Principles
PIs and Senior Personnel: Jeff Gray, University of Alabama; Mary Boehm, Carol Crawford, A+ College Ready
Project Evaluation: Kathy Haynie and Sheryl Packman, Haynie Research and Evaluation
This project is supported by NSF Award #
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
STUDENT OUTCOMES
“CS4Alabama has been amazing.
I don't think I've ever been a part of
a more supportive and intense PD experience.”
>90% teacher
retention rate
PD Model and Successes
Scalable PD model for teachers with STEM or career tech background, but little or no preparation in computer science
Resource-rich, face-to-face summer PD coupled with on-line course content, geographically proximal groups, periodic teacher hangouts
Teachers within each cohort collaboratively developed course content and pedagogy, fostered by experienced peer leaders
Significant gains in teachers’ self-rated knowledge, skills, and perceived preparation to teach CS Principles
Teacher development was enhanced through professional opportunities such as SIGCSE presentations, CSTA
*Someone I know has praised my work in computer science.
*Someone in my family has encouraged me to study computer science.
*Someone I know has discussed with me the computer science field.
*A friend or peer has encouraged me to study computer science.
*Someone I know has given me the desire to study computer science.
F>M ,
Non>URM ,
M>F
Non>URM ,
56% “A”
COURSE IMPLEMENTATIONS
45% “A”
51% “A”
Driven by: (1) open enrollment to increase student diversity, (2) inquiry/discovery-based techniques, approaching CS as a broad set of topics as defined by the learning objectives of CS Principles, and (3) successful preparation for the Explore and Create Performance Tasks
LESSONS LEARNED and successes
The CS4Alabama project serves as one of the earliest success stories in offering sustained professional development opportunities for scaling up CS Principles
Exemplary project leadership, strength of teacher community, constant flow of rich resources and activities, and year-long PD were core drivers of CS4Alabama’s success
Nearly 2,200 students, 50% female or URM students, experienced a rich and rigorous AP-level computer science course who might not have otherwise had the opportunity
Many CS4Alabama teachers have become sought-after national experts in CSP
96% Snap!
Common curricula:
BJC, Code.org
NCWIT Aspiration Awards winners (female students)
75% Snap!
Common curric.: BJC, ECS
Positive impact of Performance Tasks
Students wanted more creativity, hands-on programming
80% App Inventor
Teachers shared
lesson plans via Dropbox
Performance Tasks, abstraction challenging to implement
Students wanted more creativity, hands-on programming
16%
67% of students would recommend course
CS4Alabama Teachers at Summer 2015 PD Workshop
65% of students would recommend course
Accomplishments
Most common: Snap! + 2 other languages (e.g., App Inventor, Scratch, Python, JavaScript)
Strong student course engagement for all demographic groups, rated free from discrimination
Instructors perceived that students became more confident and interested in CS