Coding for Classrooms: The Changing Landscape of K-12 Computer Science Education

abstract: This report is intended to serve as a comprehensive resource for parents, teachers and community members who are interested in learning more about the emergence, direction and scope of the computer science education movement. Many K-12 school districts begun to develop and facilitate their own computer science education programs, often in the form of extracurricular clubs and classes. However, third-party businesses play a significant role in supplementing classrooms with software and hardware products, professional development services, and instruction services. This report explores the complexity of the computer science education environment by exploring the movement of advocacy for increasing computer science in K-12 schools and analyzing the emergent competitive landscape of for-profit and non-profit businesses. Additionally, the report offers insight to the computer science education landscape in Arizona through the lens of the research study "Computer Science Education in Maricopa County Public School Districts for K-8 Students." This study presents the findings from in-depth interviews with educators about how school-based computer science programs are structured and how they are received by students, parents and teachers. The report also offers broad recommendations for school programs, analyzes the potential for a national model, and discusses next steps for states, businesses and individuals. Keywords: computer science education, K-12 schools, public education, coding, Code.org, Hour of Cod