At the first meeting of the Commission on Computer Science and Information Technology in October 2015 in Little Rock, members learned about labor market demand for computer science and IT credentials and degrees. They heard from guest speakers about the National Science Foundation’s efforts to design engaging new curricula, the essential elements of cybersecurity pathways, and how the Pentagon trains those who serve the nation’s cyber-defense systems.

Commission members shared policies and practices in their own states and began offering recommendations on how to:

• Attract more students, especially underrepresented students, to the study of computer science and IT
• Offer K-12 career exploratory experiences that introduce students to jobs in these fields
• Adopt rigorous, multidisciplinary curricula that take a hands-on, project-based approach to learning
• Design course sequences that help students transition seamlessly to further studies and careers

Charge to the Commission + Computer Science Workforce

Members are reviewing materials from Code.org, a non-profit organization working to expand computer science education to millions of children and adults around the world. SREB staff are creating a rubric for evaluating curricula and programs in computer science, IT and cybersecurity.

The Commission meets April 2016 to review a draft report.