[Csmatters] Fwd: Code.org Advocacy Coalition Update - October

[Dianne O'Grady-Cunniff]

------------------------------

*Coalition Spotlight*
[image: Rural Technology Fund]
The Rural Technology Fund
<http://go.pardot.com/e/153401/2017-10-18/jp5p47/289439970> seeks to lower
barriers to rural students and ensure that they have an easier road to
technology-based careers. This is supported by several different programs,
including classroom technology donations, scholarship programs, and book
donations.

To date, Rural Technology Fund has put technology education resources into
the hands of almost 40,000 students nationwide
<http://go.pardot.com/e/153401/nology-fund-schools-index-html/jp5p49/289439970>
and donated over $20,000 in scholarships to students.
------------------------------

*Policy Updates*

*US Department of Education Follows Up White House Call for $200 Million in
STEM and CS*
Last week the US Department of Education (ED) announced
<http://go.pardot.com/e/153401/-2017-10-12-pdf-2017-22127-pdf/jp5p4c/289439970>
its priorities for competitive grant programs. We’ve been waiting for this
document because it articulates how the Department will act on the
President’s directive to the Department
<http://go.pardot.com/e/153401/memorandum-secretary-education/jp5p4f/289439970>
to spend at least $200 million for science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM) education, with a focus on CS. We had hoped that this
document would clarify exactly how CS would be prioritized across the
Department of Education. While promoting STEM and CS is a top-level
priority, the draft proposal doesn’t provide us much clarity — largely
because there are multiple priorities and it isn’t clear how they all
intersect. More information and analysis here
<http://go.pardot.com/e/153401/ment-of-education-4a497c89f902/jp5p4h/289439970>
.

*Ohio CS Bill Moves Forward*
Ohio House Bill 170 is on the move. Proponent testimony was heard on
October 4 and 11, with some questions but no real opposition. The bill,
which would direct the department to create standards, modify teacher
certification in computer science, and increase flexibility for computer
science to satisfy a graduation requirement, is scheduled for a hearing and
possible vote on Wednesday, October 18. We anticipate a positive vote and
directing our attention to the full Senate next.

*Wyoming Committee Unanimously Passes CS Recommendations*
Wyoming's Joint Interim Education Committee passed a resolution
<http://go.pardot.com/e/153401/cience-billed-economic-booster/jp5p4k/289439970>
to draft a bill that would expand computer science education to all high
schools in the state and allow CS courses to count toward graduation
requirements.

*New Praxis Computer Science Test for Teachers*
The Praxis Computer Science test has been revised with the participation of
a National Advisory Committee composed of computer science teachers and
teacher educators from across the nation, as well as representatives from
the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) and Code.org. The first
administration of the new test is planned for September 2018.

Two panels will be formed to review the test, and ETS is requesting
nominees that have between 3 and 10 years of teaching experience.
Nominations are due by October 30 and the review panels will be
held January 22-23 in Princeton, NJ. Questions about nominations and/or the
review process should be addressed to Dele Kuku at DKuku at ets.org
------------------------------

*Action Items*

Next Advocacy Coalition meeting: November 8, 3 pm ET / 12 pm PT. *Interested
in becoming a member? Sign up here!
<advocacy at code.org?subject=Advocacy%20coalition>*
------------------------------

*Data You Can Use to Make the Case for CS*

Computing jobs are projected to grow at twice the rate of all other jobs.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections data (
http://go.pardot.com/e/153401/emp-tables-htm/jp5p4m/289439970) for
2014-2024, released in 2015.
------------------------------

*Have news/updates to share from your state? Reach out to Sean
<sean at code.org?subject=Coalition%20Update%20Content>.*


Cameron Wilson
President, Code.org's
<http://go.pardot.com/e/153401/2017-10-18/jp5p4p/289439970> Advocacy
Coalition
------------------------------

Code.org works in all 50 states and on the federal level to support the
development and implementation of policies to make computer science a
fundamental part of the K-12 education system. Click here to learn more
about the work we're doing
<http://go.pardot.com/e/153401/advocacy/jp5p4r/289439970>.
------------------------------

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-- 
Dianne O'Grady-Cunniff, CS Matters in Maryland
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