Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards

In October 2018, an Authoring Workgroup and Review Panel were formed to ensure representation from all regions and community types.  From October 2018 through March 2019, the Authoring Workgroup worked to produce a first draft of the new standards.  In April 2019, the Authoring Workgroup members cross-reviewed standards written by colleagues and provided feedback to the Department. The second draft of the Standards was then shared with the Review Panel.  Each member of the Review Panel provided both a high-level review of all standards and an in-depth review of the standards through one of the following “lenses” (perspectives): Clarity and Focus, Coherence and Progression, Equity, Interdisciplinary Connections, Rigor, Relevance and Engagement, and Specificity.

In July and August 2019, Department staff and a computer science education consultant revised the standards to address the Review Panel feedback and Department policy and expectations.  The draft was presented to the Executive Standards Committee and Department Senior Leadership in September.  Revisions were made based on their input, and the draft was finalized for release for stakeholder feedback.

The draft standards were then published to solicit broad stakeholder feedback from October 15 to November 15, 2019.  NYSED received 410 survey responses representing 839 individuals and members of organizations across New York, with 564 leaving specific comments.  The majority of responses were from K-12 educators and administrators; feedback was also received from higher education, advocacy groups, business/industry, nonprofit organizations, parents, students, and school board members.  Approximately 60 percent of respondents indicated that they either moderately or strongly supported the standards overall; however, several themes clearly emerged as priorities for immediate revision.

NYSED convened a workgroup to address the stakeholder feedback priorities and revise the standards accordingly, while still adhering to the Guiding Principles and ensuring the standards are rigorous and focus on the most important knowledge and skills.

In January 2020, the Board of Regents conditionally approved New York State’s Learning Standards for Computer Science and Digital Fluency. In an effort to ensure the new standards meet the needs of all students and align to the Board of Regents’ goal that every child has equitable access to high-quality educational opportunities, NYSED staff have identified the following next steps:

• Engage further with early learning experts to ensure the K-2 grade band standards are developmentally appropriate, and that both the clarifying statements and provided examples are helpful and relevant to K-2 teachers.
• Return to the Board of Regents for final adoption of the standards in Spring 2020.
• Begin to develop resources and guidance to aid the field in implementing the standards in accordance with the proposed implementation timeline.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Educational Design and Technology at edtech@nysed.gov.