Why Computer Science

Computer science is the process of solving complex organizational problems using technical solutions. The reason this is such an important field is that computers and technology have been integrated into virtually every economic sector, industry, and even organization operating in the modern economy.

The Data

75.5% of TN high school students attend a school that offers foundational computer science.

TSIN contributed to the work led by the Department of Education to craft recommendations around the future of CS education in our state. 

258 HS offer a foundational CS course

To reduce CS teacher isolation, TSIN launched a statewide chapter of CSTA and created formal partnerships with ISTE, CSforALL, and Girls Who Code.

28.7% of students enrolled in a computer science course are female.

In order to grow the number of teachers qualified to teach K-12 CS courses, TSIN has managed the Code.org Regional Partnership and crafted the Computer Science Endorsement Pathway.

Computer Science Endorsement Pathway

Now Open

With the passage of Chapter 979 of the Public Acts of 2022 by unanimous vote of the Tennessee General Assembly, all Local Education Agencies (LEA) and public charter schools are required to provide K-12 students with grade-level appropriate computer science education. Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, computer science (CS) will be embedded in grades K-5; middle school students will be required to take CS for one grading period during their 6th, 7th, or 8th grade year; and high school students will take CS as a graduation requirement.

 

To ensure teachers are properly trained and endorsed to deliver CS courses in middle and high school, the Computer Science Endorsement Pathway (CSEP) has been created. CSEP provides teachers with a no-cost route to computer science endorsement. The endorsement pathway contains six self-paced modules that allow teachers to demonstrate their knowledge and skills of the CS standards by embedding these practices into their current instruction. Teachers who obtained an employment standard or completed Code.org training will only be required to take three of the six modules.

Registration for the CS Endorsement Pathway is now for the Summer 2024 course. By registering on the Typeform below, you will be placed into the Summer 2024 cohort. The Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 courses are full and closed.  

 

If you are registered for the Fall 2023 cohort, you will gain access just before the course begins. 

ATTENTION: If you applied for the Fall 2023 cohort and you have NOT received an email about registering on the KIRA platform for the CS Endorsement Pathway Course, please email tsin@battelle.org. You are required to register on the KIRA platform to complete the course. Registration on the KIRA platform for the Fall 2023 cohort will close June 30, 2023.