Identity Inclusive Computing
Vision
Objectives
- Increase CS student and educator knowledge and use of identity and related topics.
- Support CS educators and leaders in fostering academic cultures that are more inclusive of non-dominant identities.
- Increase K-16 policy-driven changes to CS education that infuse identity-inclusive strategies.
Partners
CSTA Activities
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Develop Chapter Inquiry Groups: These facilitator-led sessions will help teachers better understand identity-inclusive topics (e.g., systemic oppression and how they manifest at the personal, cultural, and organizational levels, as well as biased technologies) in a more intimate environment than traditional PD, allowing them to engage with local chapter members they already know.
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Develop Identity Inclusion PD Course: We will create a virtual, self-paced “Identity Inclusion for K-12 CS Educators” course to provide a baseline understanding of identity-inclusive topics (e.g., identity, bias, discrimination, and oppression). This allows participants with limited to no understanding of identity-inclusive topics to learn foundational topics without impacting the pace and learning experience of the overall inquiry group.
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Develop CSTA Monthly Identity-Inclusive Webinars: Hold monthly webinars for all members on IIC knowledge and skill development. These short, differentiated webinars will be incorporated into an existing monthly professional learning series on equity, pedagogy, and content.
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Develop Community and Summit for CS PD Providers: CSTA will establish a community of practice (CoP) for K-12 CS PD providers to identify best practices, share resources, and integrate IIC into each. This CoP will include virtual, quarterly synchronous sessions, with additional online discussion threads and resource sharing. Community members will convene for an annual summit (co-located with the annual CSTA conference) that includes workshops/discussions on integrating IIC.
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Update/Distribute Biennial Survey of K-12 CS Teachers: CSTA and the Kapor Center will update/distribute a biennial, national survey of K-12 CS teachers to understand teacher cultural competence and knowledge and use of identity-inclusive strategies. Between May and July 2020, a total of 3,693 teachers participated from all 50 states, and we released the report and interactive dashboard this spring.
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Develop Teacher-Led Policy Committee and Advocacy Toolkit: CSTA will establish a teacher-led policy committee to 1) vet, develop, and/or adopt a set of endorsed policy recommendations; and 2) develop a toolkit to support CSTA chapter leaders and members on effectively advocating for these policy recommendations at the state level. Recommendations and resources will be presented annually at the CSTA Chapter Leadership Summit.
Professional Learning Resources
This work is supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2118453. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.