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Navigating AP Computer Science Education Programs Brief History to Future Directions

Explore the evolution of AP CS programs, from curriculum content to teacher training, and future directions such as online options and dual credits. Learn about challenges, motivators, and related classes in high school.

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Navigating AP Computer Science Education Programs Brief History to Future Directions

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  1. AP Computer Science How to Begin and Sustain Programs Presented by Fran Brady Leyden High Schools Director of Careers

  2. Brief History • College Board added course in 1983 – 1984 • Pascal (structured language) • Early 90s introduced C ++ (object-oriented language) • In 1999 Java came onto the scene as the best available language and became the new language of the AP CS in 2004

  3. Current State of Curriculum • No current curriculum for K – 12 • Few CS education standards for secondary education • Typically an elective NOT core education • ACM and CSTA report “Running On Empty” • Rate of AP CS offering • Only a half to 1 percent of all AP exam are taken on the topic (Pitt, 2013)

  4. The Course • Object-Oriented Program Design • Program Implementation • Program Analysis • Standard Data Structures • Standard Algorithms • Computing in Context

  5. The Exam • Section I – Multiple Choice (1 hour 15 minutes for 40 questions) • Section II – Free-Response (1 hour 45 minutes for 4 problems involving extended reasoning)

  6. ScoreDistribution 2003 - 2013

  7. Preparing Teachers to Teach CS • “Chicken and egg” problem • Procedural and data abstraction, object-oriented programming, and design methodology, algorithms, and data structures • AP CS workshops, summer institutes, AP Central web site • Teacher preparation programs do not include courses in CS for business majors

  8. College Board – AP CS Teachers • Background in computer science, mathematics, business, or an entirely different field • Degree in CS, earned a living as a programmer, or studied CS on your own • Drafted to teach the course *

  9. Course Prerequisites (no correlations have been proven) • Knowledge of basic algebra and problem solving • Competence in written communication • AP Potential – helps educators reach out to students who have not been considered for AP • The College Board discourages using gatekeepers such as gpa, grade in prerequisite course, recommendations, ACT/SAT, entrance exam

  10. School Motivators • Extra weighting of AP course grades when determining class rank • Full or partial payment of AP exam fees • On-site exam administration • Extra preparation periods • Reduce class sizes • Additional classroom funds • Extra salary • Administrative support and policy revisions

  11. Technology Advisory Board • Membership includes Google, Microsoft, CDW, Best Buy Geek Squad, UPS, eParts& More, KCS Technologies, and CompTIA • Certifications (A+, Net+, and CCNA) • Programming Languages • Ability to Comprehend • Problem Solving • Teamwork

  12. Leyden’s AP Path • First course in SY 2007 (one section) • SY 2008 (one section) • SY 2009 (two sections) • SY 2010 ZERO • SY 2011 (one section) • SY 2012 Online and CIS 101 Dual Credit • SY 2013 Online and CIS 101 Dual Credit

  13. Leyden’s Reality • 3 year Math requirement (class of 2008-2009) • Significant below-grade level scores in reading and math • Comprehensive high school (limited population; competition among other electives) • Teacher preparation and additional preps • Implementation of 1:1 Initiative

  14. Where’s the Credit • High School Credit • AP Credit • Dual Credit – Teacher credentials are monitored by the ICCB. • Masters Degree in Computer Science • 16 graduate hours in Computer Science • Dual Credit is an option available for early-release Cooperative Education Program

  15. Online Options • IVS discontinued AP CS • Florida Virtual School • IMACS – Institute for Mathematics and Computer Sciencewww.eimacs.com • Students take an aptitude test • Includes Java compiler, interactive exercises and tests, and student projects. • More than 70 schools use the IMACS curriculum • Total of 7 students have completed the program • Earning scores of 4 and 5

  16. Department Solutions • Options for course completion • Dual-credit with Triton Community College of CIS 101 • Creation and implementation of Programs of Study that include CIS 101 or AP CS (Accounting implemented 2011) • Promote and offer course as summer school option (implementation 2014)

  17. Leyden’s Related Classes • Digital Literacy * • Networking • Video Game Design • Web Design • Technical Support Internship

  18. Present State and Future Direction(Stephenson 2010) • AP exam is a gatekeeper • Designed as a college level course • Never meant to be a first level course • Focus on language syntax • Does little to demonstrate the breadth and depth of CS careers • AP CS does not meet HS graduation requirements

  19. About High School AP CS(Deckelmann2013) • Reading comprehension is the biggest barrier to completion of AP Computer Science • From 2005 to 2009 there was a 35% drop in schools that offered AP CS • Algebra is NOT a prerequisite to CS • Counselors do not understand the course content

  20. AP Computer Science Principles (Implementation May 2017) • 2008 – number of students taking AP SC fell 15% between 2001 and 2007; number of college freshmen majoring in CS fell 70% • Beyond JAVA (AP CS makes up 0.7% of all AP exams) • Focus on groups who are currently underrepresented • Using and creating applications for socially beneficial purposes • Promote post-secondary studies in CS (expressed interest 2%; labor needs in 2018 11%)

  21. AP CS: Principles Framework Computational Thinking Practices, Big Ideas, Key Concepts, Supporting Concepts • Connecting computing • Developing computational artifacts • Abstracting • Analyzing problems and artifacts • Communicating • Collaborating

  22. More on IMACS • University-level coursework • Engaging for younger audiences • Intellectually stimulating and engaging • Principal instructor • Senior instructors and support 24/7 • Accepted by colleges for intro CS course

  23. Professional Development • Computer Science Teachers Association • HR5, the Student Success Act • States that CS teachers should be supported by the bills professional development initiatives • Emphasizes the need for more CS teachers • Pursues strategies to elevate the profile of the most important discipline in the 21st Century • You Tube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9XenrSbXmA

  24. Student Interest • Empowers students • Creates options • Quick-growing industry • Stimulates innovation

  25. Other Options • EverFi • Radius – Math and Coding • Topics ranging from the real world applications using algebra and basic computer science • Interactive lessons and STEM career possibilities • www.everfi.com

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