The CSTA Standards for Computer Science Teachers provide clear guidance around effective and equitable CS instruction in support of rigorous CS education for all K-12 students. These Standards:
- Explain what CS teachers should know and be able to do,
- Provide aspirational goals to guide teachers’ professional learning and to continuously develop their teaching practice from novice to master CS teachers, and
- Establish benchmarks for CS professional learning.
CS teachers enter the field from many different areas of specialization, and their preparation varies significantly. Each indicator is a roadmap to support teachers from multiple entry points as they identify strengths and areas for growth.
These Standards represent a collaborative effort to provide a vision of CS teaching and learning based on the latest research. They were designed to complement the outcomes for student learning delineated in the K-12 CS Framework (2016) and CSTA K-12 CS Standards (2017).
As a K-12 administrator, you can use the CSTA Standards for CS Teachers to support teachers’ professional development, create plans for equitable recruitment, mitigate systemic barriers to equitable participation in CS, and learn what to look for when evaluating their computer science teachers. We have designed this guidance and a set of resources to support you. For example, you can use our CS coaching toolkit to help teachers plan, implement, and reflect or an observation tool for collecting evidence and supporting teacher reflection on effective instructional practices.
Support CS at Your School
Guide Recruitment
Learn about the significant disparities that exist within CS in your state.
Plan how to increase diversity in your CS classes.
Support your counselors in learning about how they can remove barriers so students choose to learn CS.
Plan for Equitable Implementation
Create a strategic implementation plan for your school or district, through visioning, self-reflection, and goal setting.
Learn how to mitigate systemic barriers (e.g., prerequisites, scheduling conflicts) and plan for equitable CS.
Create intentional, coherent CS pathways built on standards-based progression across grades.
Learn
Recognize evidence of effective CS teaching and learning. Use this for observing teacher practice.
Join events to deepen your knowledge of CS education at upcoming CSTA events, such as the administrator track at the CSTA Annual Conference.
Connect with other leaders and CS educators in your local community
Support Teacher PD
Help CS teachers identify strengths and areas for growth aligned to the CS Teacher Standards.
Allocate funding for teacher PD. Customize PD plans to meet their goals. Dedicate time for CS teachers to meet as a PLC.
Support teachers with targeted coaching.
Guide Recruitment
Learn about the significant disparities that exist within CS in your state.
Plan how to increase diversity in your CS classes.
Support your counselors in learning about how they can remove barriers so students choose to learn CS.
Plan for Equitable Implementation
Create a strategic implementation plan for your school or district, through visioning, self-reflection, and goal setting.
Learn how to mitigate systemic barriers (e.g., prerequisites, scheduling conflicts) and plan for equitable CS.
Create intentional, coherent CS pathways built on standards-based progression across grades.
CSTA membership is not just for teachers. We welcome administrators and leaders, too!