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Computer Science Symposia

Computer Science & Information Technology Symposium 2003

Session Presentations

Toward a K–12 Computer Science Curriculum
by Allen Tucker

This session will present a unified curriculum model that can be implemented in K–12 schools. The model has four levels, covering computer science concepts in grades K–8, 9 or 10, 10 or 11, and 11 or 12, respectively. Its focus will be on fundamental computer science concepts that are appropriate at each level, and it will complement established computer science curricula described in the NETS standard (grades K–8) and AP (grades 11–12). Finally, it will identify implementation challenges that will accompany the wide adoption of such a curriculum.

• Presentation (PDF, 130 KB, PDF Instructions)

Commentary:

Allen Tucker, Chairman of the ACM K–12 Task Force Curriculum Committee, presented a unified curriculum model that could be implemented in K–12 schools. The model consists of four levels; it focuses on computer science concepts that are appropriate to each level.

Attendees to this session pointed out some of the [possible] impediments to such a model—for example, how does the model fit in with the 3R's? Curriculum is driven by "No Child Left Behind," and schools are given money based on their students' performance on standardized tests - therefore, no money for developing course materials not currently in the curriculum "It will be a Herculean task to get a buy-in from all the states and school districts."

Implementers of this curriculum would need to work closely with teachers from other disciplines, such as math, physics, etc. And, interestingly, Tucker felt that the "ethics" part of CS could be introduced as early as grade K.

From the discussion, it appeared that a good deal of "CS by Stealth" work would be needed to introduce actual computer science concepts or critical thinking especially in the lower grades.

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For more information, please contact Linda Keller, Project Manager, ISTE at: lkeller@iste.org.