Purpose of the Organization
Other organizations address use of technology across the curriculum, but only CSTA speaks directly
and passionately for high school computer science at the national level.
- Build a strong community of computer science educators who share their knowledge.
- Provide teachers with opportunities for high quality professional development.
- Advocate at all levels for a comprehensive computer science curricula.
- Support projects that communicate the excitement of computer science to students and improve their understanding of the opportunities it provides.
- Collect and disseminating research about computer science education.
- Provide policy recommendations to support computer science in the high school curriculum.
- Raise awareness that computer science educators are highly qualified professionals with skills that enrich the educational experience of their students.
Committee Goals
Curriculum:
- Work to establish national CS curriculum based on ACM's Model Curriculum of K-12 Computer Science Education and other materials.
- Create and disseminate materials to support the implementation of the curriculum. Facilitate sharing of projects/ideas among members.
- Inform on-going curriculum work with current research.
Equity: including all underrepresented groups within a population.
- Ensure that equity is at the forefront of work done throughout the organization.
- Create opportunities to make computer science education more equitable.
International:
- Develop relationships with researchers and educators in other nations to improve understanding and awareness of the importance of computer science education.
- Promote CSTA membership internationally.
Funding Development:
- Create philosophy and standards for soliciting and accepting funds.
- Advise, identify, and recommend funding sources.
- Write proposals for operational and project funding.
Membership:
- Work to promote and increase individual and institutional membership.
- Undertake research to determine member satisfaction with benefits at regular intervals.
- Assess member benefit package and advise on the development of new benefits.
Policy & Advocacy:
- Prepare white papers and position papers on topics essential to CSTA's overarching mission.
- Advocate at all levels for CSTA as an organization and for computer science as a discipline.
Professional Development:
- Facilitate seminars and workshops to members on topics related to computer science and computer science education.
- Develop cooperative partnerships with other organizations that support our educational goals and vision.
Publications & Communications:
- Recommend and develop vehicles for internal and member communications and networking.
- Provide oversight of member publications.
Research:
- Identify the larger questions relating to content, curriculum, and methodology in K-12 computer science education.
- Formulate and carry out sound research projects.
- Identify potential sources of research funding/grants and assist in the preparation of proposals and reports.
- Collect and disseminate data as appropriate to other committees and the membership.
Standards & Certification:
- Identify the state current practices/policies on the requirements for teacher preparation in computer science.
- Assist in the development of standards for the preparation of teachers in computer science.
- Work with states to align teacher standards to ACM's Model Curriculum of K-12 Computer Science Education.
