Guidance for Teacher Advocates from the CSTA Policy Committee

Three teachers plan on a white paper on a wall.

CSTA’s teacher-led Policy Committee consists of 8–12 volunteers who meet regularly to develop and refine recommendations and resources. The committee’s purpose is to:

  1. Vet, develop, and adopt a set of CSTA-endorsed policy recommendations
  2. Develop a toolkit to support CSTA members and Chapter Leaders in effectively advocating for these policies at the state level. 

The committee focuses on policies to increase entry, retention, and course/degree completion of groups historically underrepresented in CS. They present recommendations and resources annually at the CSTA Chapter Leadership Summit, held in conjunction with the CSTA Annual Conference.

Teacher Advocacy Kit

CSTA Teacher Advocacy Kit infographic detailing steps for teacher advocacy, including joining CSTA, knowing state data, district/state policies, planning, and amplifying voice, with various colored sections. Transcribed Text: CSTA Teacher Advocacy Kit Don't do this alone! • IDENTIFY your local Teacher Advocate Lead • Join CSTA. Become a member today! • Join your local CSTA chapter! KNOW Your district/ state policies Your Teacher Advocacy Lead will: partner with state/regional CS agencies to understand more “boots on the ground” or “ear to the street” information on local districts KNOW Your state Data! Your Teacher Advocacy Lead will: Have access and know how to use National and State Data Resources The Policy Committee will: Provide the Advocacy Lead with resources for their states data. (if needed) HAVE a plan! Need to go Big? Where’s the Bottleneck? • Build from the perspective of an individual teacher advocate • If state-level changes are necessary, coordinate with state organizations and university partners. • Develop a Committee focus on providing templates for school and district AMPLIFY your Voice Use templates and instructions from national and state exemplars to amplify your voice for your school, district and/or state CS programs. Video Presentations Elevator Pitches E-mail Social Media
Download the kit

Policy Committee Information

Responsibilities

  • Attend monthly committee meetings, estimated at about 2 hours per month.
  • Complete up to 2 hours of asynchronous work per month.
  • Participate in kick-off and planning meetings at the CSTA Volunteer Summit.
  • Present to CSTA chapter advocacy leaders at the annual Chapter Leadership Summit, held in conjunction with the CSTA Annual Conference.

* CSTA pays for associated travel expenses.

Qualifications and Selection Criteria

  • Resides and works in the United States
  • Current or past educator with at least 3 years of CS teaching experience
  • Demonstrates commitment to disrupting inequities in K–12 CS education
  • Demonstrates leadership in the K–12 CS education community (e.g., CSTA Chapter Leader)
  • Has familiarity with, or an interest in learning about, state-level policy levers
  • Has some experience advocating for K–12 CS education at the state or national level

Interested in joining the Policy Committee?

Apply