1. Teacher Certification in Computer Science Barbara Ericson Teacher Education Representative Computer Science Teachers Association

2. Why is Certification Important? There is a shortage of CS And IT professionals There is a shortage of CS And IT professionals some of the fastest growing jobs through 2012 some of the fastest growing jobs through 2012 Many people don't know what Computer Science is Many people don't know what Computer Science is or think that it is not creative, boring, and anti-social or think that it is not creative, boring, and anti-social The ACM model curriculum for K-12 requires that all students take The ACM model curriculum for K-12 requires that all students take Computer Science in the modern world Computer Science in the modern world The ACM model curriculum also recommends The ACM model curriculum also recommends National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) standards for secondary computer science education programs National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) standards for secondary computer science education programs

3. CSTA Survey 2005-2006 Goal Goal Determine the current state of teacher certification for computer science Determine the current state of teacher certification for computer science Problems Problems 6 states didn't respond even after several contacts 6 states didn't respond even after several contacts Unclear on what computer science means Unclear on what computer science means included keyboarding and computer applications included keyboarding and computer applications Contradictory answers Contradictory answers No, we don't offer a CS Endorsement but we require it No, we don't offer a CS Endorsement but we require it Didn't ask about Advanced Placement computer science Didn't ask about Advanced Placement computer science

4. Results of CSTA Survey 20 states claimed to offer a CS endorsement 20 states claimed to offer a CS endorsement 25 states said that they do not have a CS endorsement 25 states said that they do not have a CS endorsement 6 states did not respond 6 states did not respond

5. Closer Examination Endorsements are often about computer literacy or information technology Endorsements are often about computer literacy or information technology not computer science not computer science only 8 states have a computer science endorsement only 8 states have a computer science endorsement Even states that have a CS endorsement do not always require it Even states that have a CS endorsement do not always require it Often math or business teachers can teach computer science Often math or business teachers can teach computer science

6. States with a CS Endorsement Florida Florida Louisiana Louisiana Maryland Maryland Michigan Michigan Nevada Nevada Texas Texas Utah Utah Virginia Virginia

7. Upcoming Work Poster at SIGCSE in Portland Poster at SIGCSE in Portland Friday Friday White paper on teacher certification in computer science by NECC 2008 White paper on teacher certification in computer science by NECC 2008 Detailed look at Detailed look at Texas (requires endorsement) Texas (requires endorsement) Georgia (voluntary endorsement) Georgia (voluntary endorsement) Pennsylvania (no endorsement) Pennsylvania (no endorsement)