This program expects to accept teachers to start in Spring 2024.
If interested, please click here to provide us with your contact information.
Computer Science Teacher Preparation Program
Computer Science education is vital to the future of California and its students. CS is not just about being able to use computers, it is about innovation, collaboration and problem solving. CS education builds computational and critical thinking skills that allow students to create—not simply use—the next generation of applications, devices, and other computing technologies. We must ensure that all schools provide access to meaningful and sustainable teaching and learning opportunities in Computer Science, thereby giving every student the expectation to thrive in the 21st century. Every student should have this possibility, regardless of their ultimate field of study or work, but more importantly regardless of their sex, color, disability or economic status. However, there are not enough K-12 teachers in California who are qualified to teach high quality computer science to the state’s students.
To address this situation, California’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) approved a new Supplementary Authorization in Computer Science in April 2016, replacing an outdated supplementary authorization focused on computer applications. Holders of multiple and single subject teaching credentials (all subjects) are eligible to receive this supplementary authorization after receiving college units in computer science courses covering specified topics. CTC offers two levels of the CS Supplementary Authorization: introductory and specific. The introductory authorization is appropriate for multiple-subject credentialed teachers, while the specific authorization is appropriate for high school teachers. For more detail, see CTC’s Coded Correspondence 16-05 (tinyurl.com/CTC-CC16-05).
Through a partnership with the Orange County Department of Education and funding from the National Science Foundation’s CS10K program, the University of California–Irvine developed a teacher preparation program, providing four courses designed to cover the topical requirements of either Supplementary Authorization in Computer Science.
This preparation program is also beneficial for teachers currently authorized to teach computer science but who would like to improve their teaching. In particular, note that holders of Math, Business and/or ITE credentials are authorized to teach some CS courses, but adding the supplementary authorization in Computer Science to these credentials supports teaching all CS courses.
The courses in this preparation program include evidence-based Computer Science instructional materials and assessment sets ready for implementation in the classroom. Through this program, each supplementary authorization requires four courses, as indicated in the table below. The program also includes an optional, but highly-recommended, in-person professional learning community.
| Course | Introductory | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary Computing for All | 3 units | |
| Teaching Exploring Computer Science | 4 units | 4 units |
| Teaching Computer Science Principles | 5 units | 5 units |
| Methods for Teaching Computer Science | 3 units | 3 units |
| Advanced Topics for Computer Science Teachers | 4 units |
Other key benefits to participating teachers and schools of this new program include:
- Requires no prior knowledge of or teaching of computer science.
- Teachers obtain important pedagogical content knowledge for teaching computer science based on computer science education research, while learning relevant content.
- Teachers learn how to build students’ computational thinking skills and transfer computer science principles to other content areas.
- Enhances students’ access to well-paying jobs in computer science or other jobs that rely on computing.
- May increase participating teacher’s pay scale and employability owing to an enhanced teaching portfolio relevant to 21st century skills.
- Teachers have access to a professional learning community for computer science educators, designed specifically for California teachers.
- 15 masters level quarter units applicable towards the CS supplementary authorization in Computer Science for California-credentialed teachers.
Participation in this program and dedication to offering computer science courses will provide significant advantages to students. By offering computer science, you will provide students with greater opportunities for choosing computer science as a major or career path in the future, or to otherwise be prepared for a world in which computer science is applied in nearly all disciplines and areas of life.
We are especially interested in the participation of teachers in schools in low-income communities of color. All teachers with multiple and single subject teaching credentials are eligible to apply to the program.