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Career and Technical Education

CTE Content Areas

Oversight and Guidance

Computer Science FAQ

Computer Science as a CTE Area

Can schools still offer computer science courses if they are not part of a NYSED-approved CTE program? What about advanced courses or courses in early-college high school programs?

Yes. Schools that offer computer science coursework may continue to do so both for high school credit or, if appropriate, in early college high school programs. 

Can computer science coursework taught by a computer science teacher count as CTE instruction for the purpose of the Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Commencement Credential using Option 1?

Yes. 

Can computer science coursework taught by a computer science teacher be utilized towards a five-unit CTE sequence for purposes of a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation?

Yes. 

Can a district or BOCES apply for a NYSED-approved CTE program in computer science?

Yes. 

Can schools offer computer science courses even if they cannot or do not wish to apply for CTE program approval?

Yes. Computer science can be taught as part of an approved CTE program or as stand-alone coursework. Any school, district, or BOCES can offer computer science courses. 

Can computer science teachers teach career and financial management and obtain a work-based learning extension?

Yes. Individuals with the Computer Science (All Grades) teaching certification can teach career and financial management and can obtain an extension as Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs. 

 

Middle Level Computer Science

Can computer science coursework taught by a certified computer science teacher satisfy the 1.75-unit middle level CTE requirement?

Yes. 

What course codes should be used to teach middle school computer science?

Computer science coursework taught to fifth and sixth grade students should be recorded with SCED Code 60000 (CTE Middle Level Introduction to Computer Science Grades 5-6). Coursework taught to seventh and eighth grade students should be recorded with SCED Code 10000 (CTE Middle Level Introduction to Computer Science 7-8).

Can CTE Computer Technology teachers teach 10000: CTE Middle Level Introduction to Computer Science 7-8 and 60000: CTE Middle Level Introduction to Computer Science 5-6?

No, Computer Science (all grades) certificate or SOCE holders will be the only individuals certified to teach 10000: CTE Middle Level Introduction to Computer Science 7-8 and 60000: CTE Middle Level Introduction to Computer Science 5-6. Since computer technology is considered to fall under the trade and technical education content area, computer technology teachers may teach 22200: CTE Middle Level Introduction to Trades 7-8 and 72200: CTE Middle Level Introduction to Trades 5-6 (if the Computer Technology 7-12 teacher holds a 5-6 extension). Where appropriate, a computer technology teacher may adapt content modules from another content area, such as computer science, to be taught through the lens of their content area. 

How were the computer science content modules developed?

The middle level content modules for computer science were developed by an authoring group of computer science educators and related educational professionals from around New York State. Under facilitation by the New York State Education Department and the CTE Technical Assistance Center of New York, this group developed examples of how computer science content can be used to address the six overarching theme modules in the middle level CTE framework. The group then determined what the content modules specific to computer science should be and then worked on developing them. These modules went through two additional rounds of field review. Feedback was edited and implemented by NYSED staff. 

Do the middle level computer science content modules address the New York State Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards?

Yes. The middle level computer science content modules were developed so that they would address all of the Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards for both grade bands 4-6 and 7-8. If the content is taught to students in grades 5 and 6, then the 4-6 grade band standards should be utilized. If the content is taught to students in grades 7-8, then the 7-8 grade band standards should be utilized.  

Do I need to cover all of the content in the middle level computer science content modules?

The modules were designed to provide a general overview of content that can be taught so that a computer science certified teacher could potentially fulfill the entire 1.75-unit middle level CTE requirement. If other content areas (such as business, family and consumer sciences, and technology education) are teaching the middle level requirement as well, then planning should be done across all of the middle level CTE courses to ensure that all of the theme modules are taught, strategically using the appropriate content modules to meet instructional goals. 

Are the middle level computer science content modules curriculum?

Part 100.4(c)(1)(xii) of Commissioner's Regulations requires that all students, by the end of grade 8, have no less than 1.75 units of career and technical education in any of the seven CTE content areas defined in Part 100.1(l) of Commissioner’s Regulations. There is not an explicit requirement to offer coursework in computer science at the middle level. However, beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, all middle level students will be expected to demonstrate mastery of the Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards at the appropriate grade level. These standards may be delivered in stand-alone computer science coursework or embedded into existing content classes. 

Where can I find resources to implement the modules?

A curated list of resources to implement the modules may be found on the CTE Technical Assistance Center of New York’s webpage. There is also an option for teachers to submit additional resources to be considered for review.