Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards
Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards
As required by a 2018 law, NYSED engaged with workgroups of stakeholders, including teachers, administrators, parents, and business/industry professionals to develop computer science standards that will prepare all NYS students to live and work in our dynamic, technology-driven 21st-century world. New York State has developed five specific concept areas for the Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards.
- Impacts of Computing
- Computational Thinking
- Networks and Systems Design
- Cybersecurity
- Digital Literacy
Each Concept contains two or more Sub-Concepts. Within the Sub-Concepts are a number of standards. The standards are grouped into grade-bands: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Students are expected to master the standards by the end of the last year of the grade band.
Standards Development Process
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 Department published the draft standards to solicit broad stakeholder feedback and received more than 400 survey responses. NYSED convened a workgroup to address the stakeholder feedback priorities and revise the standards accordingly. New York State educators and stakeholders were integral in the process to develop high-quality and rigorous new Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards.
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 following proposed implementation timeline.
Timetable for Roll-out and Implementation
Upon approval by the Board of Regents, the projected timeline for implementation of the new Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards allows for ample time for teachers to become familiar with the new standards. The timetable is as follows:
Timetable for Roll-out and Implementation
| Dates | Phase | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption – Aug. 2021 |
Awareness-Building |
Roll-out and building awareness of the new standards and timeline for implementation |
| Sept. 2021 – Aug. 2023 | Capacity-Building | Focus on curriculum development, resource acquisition, professional development |
| Sept. 2023 – Aug. 2024 | Year 1 Implementation | All credit-bearing Computer Science courses will be aligned with NYS CS&DF Standards |
| September 2024 | Full Implementation | CS&DF Standards implemented in all grade bands K-12 |
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