Research
The revision to the CSTA PK–12 Standards was a collaborative and research-driven process designed to ensure that the resulting standards reflect the latest insights and best practices in computer science education. This report documents the extensive research that informed the revision, resulting in updated standards that reflect the “grounded in research” value that underpins the process.
WestEd led a detailed literature review and analysis of related standards and frameworks, as well as a comparison with 12 other sets of instructional guidelines. The research was guided by key questions about alignment with learning progressions, the influence of emerging technologies such as generative AI, pedagogical practices promoting equity, and coverage across existing computer science curricula. WestEd developed design briefs and literature reviews for each standard concept, ensuring that writers had access to the most relevant and timely research as they drafted new standards. Additionally, the Amplifying Social Impacts of Computing Standards (ASICS) project provided recommendations related to impacts and ethics of computing, and the Identifying AI Priorities for All K-12 Students project, co-led by CSTA and AI4K12, developed recommendations related to artificial intelligence.
Research to Inform the CSTA PK–12 Standards Revision
This report summarizes the research base that informed the 2026 CSTA PK–12 Standards revision, including literature reviews, standards and framework comparisons, and expert recommendations. It highlights how key findings influenced the organization, content, and language of the updated standards. Individual research artifacts used by the standards writing team are available for download below.
Research Reports
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