Computer Science as a Graduation Requirement: A Landscape Analysis Report and Webinar

REPORT:

In the Massachusetts Economic Growth and Relief Act (Chapter 268), the Legislature asked for a recommendation on a graduation requirement for a foundational CS course. In mid 2023, in order to understand the scope of such a requirement, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) commissioned SageFox Consulting Group and CSforMA, Inc. via a competitive RFR procurement process to conduct (1) a National Landscape Analysis Report and (2) a Recommendation Report for a foundational CS course requirement for high school graduation for the state of Massachusetts. The Landscape Report is designed to learn what it takes to make Computer Science (CS) a high school graduation requirement by examining states that are already implementing it. Much of this complexity can be attributed to policy levers that differ by state, critical funding strategies and the varying influencers of important advocacy approaches.

Cover Image of Report: Computer Science as a Graduation Requirement

Question Considerations 1 What is the purpose of a graduation requirement? What problem would the graduation requirement solve? What values drive the policy design and implementation? For example, is a state focused on developing a workforce, preparing students for higher education, or developing well-rounded citizens? 2 If a graduation requirement is the best solution to the problem, how could it be structured and implemented? What level of CS education should be required to fulfill the purpose? What are the policy opportunities to ensure equitable CS in the K– 12 system? What support is needed for robust implementation? 3 What are the costs and benefits of a graduation requirement? How much does it cost to do this work well? What is gained by including a CS requirement for graduation? What are the risks of including the requirement (particularly for students)? — Image of Questions and Considerations posed in the report.

Click to read the full report:

Computer Science as a Graduation Requirement_ A Landscape Analysis Report - Final

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WEBINAR

This video provides a short overview of the report. It is a condensed version (18 minutes) of a 90 minute webinar in which community members across Massachusetts were introduced to the report and had an opportunity to provide early reflections on the findings.

You can still still be part of it! We are currently scheduling 1-hour focus groups with others from across the state in which we will explore together the nuances of "what if..." Massachusetts had a high school CS graduation requirement. You can sign up for a focus group here.

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