Who Belongs in Computer Science? Supporting All Students in Developing CS Skills

There’s much more to Computer Science than white guys in khakis hunching over a computer in the basement level of an office building (or perhaps, more recently, from home). Computer Science is a vital area of study for students, yet in many states not only is it not a requirement, but there is also no Computer Science program to speak of. This is harmful from both an equity and economic standpoint. 

In a 2021 report entitled, “The Computer Science Teacher Landscape: Results of a Nationwide Teacher Survey”, the proportion of teachers who identified a lack of student interest as a challenge increased with grade level and at lower income schools. Inequitable access to early computing exposure coupled with lack of support to pursue computing often restricts and deters students historically excluded from the field. It is important to provide universal access to computer science from early grades, and to support teachers in developing ways to differentiate learning experiences in their classrooms for those with less exposure to computer science. 

Not all classroom curricula are effectively engaging students in a culturally relevant manner, and 55% of teachers found themselves having to revise existing curricula to make it more engaging and relevant to students. Additionally, 39% of teachers did not see the importance of covering computing's role in perpetuating biases related to racism, sexism, and other inequities in the classroom and 14% identified minority students’ sense of belonging as a key barrier for participation in computer science (Dr. S. Koshy et.al, 2021). Broadening participation in computing requires challenging and transforming preconceptions about who belongs in CS and supporting students who develop a passion to pursue computing and/or STEM pathways.  

A data story published by the New York Times details the inextricable link between race and class, and how that connection is exacerbated in school settings, putting these inequalities in stark relief. Children in school districts with the highest concentrations of poverty score an average of more than four grade levels below children in the richest districts. Analysis shows the largest gaps between white children and their minority classmates emerge in the wealthiest communities, and even in wealthy communities, disparities exist between white children and minorities who also reside in those communities. In places with high levels of segregation there are large academic gaps and even in districts where minority and white classmates have similar socioeconomic backgrounds, these academic gaps persist (“Money, Race and Success: How Your School District Compares”, New York Times, April 2016).  

Integrating Virtual Work-Based Experiences into CS Classrooms 

With a focus on the underrepresented, Couragion currently serves a population made up of 65% students of color and 50% female. Couragion’s virtual exploration offers career and job shadowing for students in grades 4-14. Through an interactive student-led journey, the platform provides insight into the working lives of professionals, building awareness of the opportunities available to students, expanding their career interests, mapping the relevance of their near-term coursework to career pathways, and facilitating the creation of career portfolios. 

According to a Brookings report entitled, “Building Skills for Life: How to Expand and Improve Computer Science Education Around the World”, one of the most important ways to build sustainable CS infrastructure in schools is to ‘expose students early to CS education to increase their likelihood of pursuing it. This is especially important for girls and other URM (underrepresented minority) groups historically underrepresented in STEM and CS fields (Fowler et.al, 2021)’. 

For example, in secondary school, pathway skill building provides work-based Challenges to ensure students are future ready. Students gain practical occupational and employability skills and apply that knowledge to solve authentic problems. Our Challenges better serve underrepresented populations by incorporating greater purpose of how careers help society, animals, and the environment; real world context that shows relevance of learning tasks; and mastery of career-specific skills via applied exercises. 

Couragion is an effective and broadly applicable platform, offering education in different contexts, both in skill building and career literacy with a built-in culturally relevant and diversity and equity sensitive design. The platform integrates seamlessly into any classroom, with multiple subjects, unit, and curriculum connections. The importance of Computer Science and computing pathways must be understood by students, parents, and community, and this starts with teachers, admin, and district staff.