GUIDANCE ON TEACHING COMPUTER SCIENCE IN WASHINGTON STATE K–12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS Authorizing legislation: HB 1577, SHB 5088 2020 GUIDANCE ON TEACHING COMPUTER SCIENCE IN WASHINGTON STATE K–12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2020 Kathe Taylor, Ph.D. Assistant Superintendent Learning and Teaching Shannon Thissen Computer Science Program Supervisor Prepared by: Janet Gordon, Ed.D. [email protected] | 509-860-5273 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................ 1 Introduction to the Guidance Document ................................................................................................... 2 Background ........................................................................................................................................................... 2 Washington State Definition of Computer Science ............................................................................... 3 Similarities and Overlaps between Computer Science and Educational Technology ........... 4 Foundational Knowledge for Computer Science..................................................................................... 5 Washington State Learning Standards for Computer Science ...................................................... 6 Varied Instructional Settings to Teach Computer Science.................................................................11 Computer Science Integration into Various Content Areas ..............................................................12 Next Steps ...........................................................................................................................................................12 Support to Implement Computer Science in Your School ...........................................................12 School Reporting of Computer Science Courses .................................................................................13 Assessment of Computer Science Courses .............................................................................................14 Computer Science state Course Code Guidance ...................................................................................15 Computer Science STATE Course Codes ..................................................................................................17 CTE CIP Codes and STATE Course Codes .................................................................................................18 Course Descriptions ....................................................................................................................................24 Terms and Definitions .....................................................................................................................................24 Standards and Practices by Grade Band Guide .....................................................................................36 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................36 K–2 Standards & Practices .............................................................................................................................39 1. Fostering an Inclusive Computing Culture .....................................................................................39 2. Collaborating around Computing .....................................................................................................40 3. Recognizing & Defining Computational Problems .....................................................................41 4. Developing & Using Abstractions .....................................................................................................42 5. Creating Computational Artifacts ......................................................................................................47 6. Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts ..............................................................................49 7. Communicating About Computing ..................................................................................................50 Grades 3–5 CS Standards & Practices .......................................................................................................55 1. Fostering an Inclusive Computing Culture .....................................................................................55 2. Collaborating around Computing .....................................................................................................57 3. Recognizing & Defining Computational Problems .....................................................................58 4. Developing & Using Abstractions .....................................................................................................60 5. Creating Computational Artifacts ......................................................................................................62 6. Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts ..............................................................................64 7. Communicating About Computing ..................................................................................................67 Grades 6–8 Standards & Practices ..............................................................................................................72 1. Fostering an Inclusive Computing Culture .....................................................................................72 2. Collaborating Around Computing.....................................................................................................73 3. Recognizing & Defining Computational Problems .....................................................................76 4. Developing and Using Abstractions .................................................................................................77 5. Creating Computational Artifacts ......................................................................................................82 6. Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts ..............................................................................85 7. Communicating About Computing ..................................................................................................88 Grades 9–10 Standards & Practices ...........................................................................................................91 1. Fostering an Inclusive Computing Culture .....................................................................................91 2. Collaborating Around Computing.....................................................................................................93 3. Recognizing & Defining Computational Problems .....................................................................95 4. Developing and Using Abstractions .................................................................................................97 5. Creating Computational Artifacts ................................................................................................... 103 6. Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts ........................................................................... 108 7. Communicating About Computing ............................................................................................... 111 Appendices ....................................................................................................................................................... 116 Appendix A. Computer Science State Advisory Committee ...................................................... 116 Appendix B. Frequently Asked Questions—Superintendent. .................................................... 117 Appendix C. Frequently Asked Questions—High School Principal. ........................................ 119 Appendix D. Frequently Asked Questions—K–8 Principal. ........................................................ 121 Appendix E. Methodology used in the development of this document. .............................. 123 Legal Notice ..................................................................................................................................................... 124 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY “The rise of Google, the rise of Facebook, the rise of Apple I think are proof that there is a place for computer science as something that solves problems that people face every day.”1 One of the most exciting and important aspects of this state initiative in computer science (CS) is that all students will have the opportunity to gain tangible benefits from engaging in computer science and solution-based practices. Recent legislation in Washington State requires that all high schools offer CS courses, which should begin with foundational experiences in kindergarten. Elementary and middle schools are the ideal places to ensure that every student has access to high quality foundational CS instruction. To assist in the implementation of this requirement, OSPI assembled subject matter experts from higher education, Career and Technical Education, K–12, business, and other knowledgeable state representatives to create a definition of computer science specifically for the K–12 environment. The definition was then piloted in several schools. The refined definition presented in this document, is grounded in state and national standards and provides clarity around the question, “What does computer science look like