College of Education

Computer Science Teacher Education
Endorsements Summits State-wide Efforts Projects About Us

DPI Seed Funding - CSEd Pathways

At UIUC a new partnership (I-STECS) between the College of Education and Department of Computer Science was inaugurated in Spring 2018 towards expanding the number of well-prepared high school CS teachers, aiming to create a new undergraduate program in CS education leading to licensure and a pathway to endorsement in CS for current teachers. The CSEd Pathways project built on and expanded this initiative and contributed to the DPI mission by working towards: (a) building statewide collaborative partnerships around computer science education including corporations, community colleges, foundations, non-profits, and Chicago Public Schools; (b) facilitating implementation of I-STECS in Chicago; and (c) providing an advanced CS professional development event in programming for AR / VR environments for in-service teachers at DPI.

 

University of Chicago - University of Illinois, Urbana - Champaign Collaboration

The University of Chicago Department of Computer Science and Office of Civic Engagement have formed a partnership with the UIUC College of Education that will work together on access and equity issues in computer science education as well as to continue to build workforce development pathways for Illinois. The project will address opportunities for increasing access to licensure for preservice and practicing teachers. Through the collaborative we also will partner with Chicago Public Schools to create a center of computational thinking on the south side. Through targeted professional development activities that address the adoption of computational thinking and action across all subject areas this partnership will develop a model for integrating computer science principals into all teaching practice. Program elements include:

  • Work to efficiently and effectively provide the best resources and support for curricula, competency development, and professional development by coordinating on research outcomes and best practices in computer science and computational thinking education.
  • Develop coordinated programs around computer science education, for example engaging High School students presently involved in Computer Science Education including near peer mentoring by University students or summer programs.
  • Develop pathways for K-12 CS teachers by increasing access to licensure, creating learning communities for teachers by grade level and connecting new and in-service teachers to faculty and other initiatives at UIUC and UChicago.