Goal 1: Professional Learning
Equipping rural educators with the skills to teach their students will be one of SSDA's most important projects in our 38-year history. We are thrilled to partner with Sacramento County Office of Education and together be the conduit to prepare students to learn computer science at an early age. CS4NorCal rural students will be more prepared to compete for college and career opportunities. That is a major goal of SSDA and our member school districts.
Tim Taylor ~ Executive Director ~Small School Districts' Association, 2020
CS4NorCal offers a unique, intensive and recursive professional learning opportunity for educators, schools and districts preparing to build a computer science pathway. CS workshops* are free of cost AND teachers can earn stipends for participation. In addition to a summer week of professional learning, just-in-time support will be offered during the school year as new CS content is implemented and integrated with other academic coursework. Teachers will have access to curricular technical assistance and invited to join a regional CS community of practice, which will meet quarterly.
*Credential authorization courses are not free of cost.
Professional Learning Stipends
Successful completion of:
$3000 for MS and HS teachers for 20 days of professional learning workshops over 2 years
$1500 for ES teachers for 10 days of professional learning workshops 2 over years
$100 per Community of Practice meeting
$100 a year for data collection activities that occur outside of workshops
2022 CS4NorCal Academic Year Workshops and Community of Practice Meetings
Scroll or expand the document below for Year 1 and Elementary 4 CS calendars
Project Overview & Expectations
Professional Learning Model
Year 2: Implement for Impact
CS4NorCal Professional Learning Outcomes
Grade K-5 educators will be able to:
Deepen knowledge of grade-level CA CS content standards, concepts and practices
Learn how to embed culturally responsive instructional strategies and activities in CS curriculum, such as CS Fundamentals
Develop technology-based and “unplugged” pedagogical approaches to CS instruction
Easily integrate CS concepts and practices into math or science instruction
Connect students to extended CS learning through extended-day activities and events
Incorporate project-based learning into CS instruction
Create authentic assessments of student learning
Grade 6-8 educators will be able to:
Deepen knowledge of grade-level CA CS content standards and their concepts and practices
Address CS content standards using culturally responsive instructional strategies and activities in CS curriculum, such as CS Discoveries
Develop technology-based and “unplugged” pedagogical approaches to CS instruction
Deliver CS content via new standalone electives or integrated into math or science instruction
Connect students to extended CS learning through extended-day activities and events, such as robotics or CyberPatriot clubs and competitions
Prepare students for college and career through work-based learning and college-and-career readiness activities
Incorporate project-based learning into CS instruction
Create authentic assessments of student learning
Grade 9-12 educators will be able to:
Deepen their knowledge of grade-level CA CS content standards and their concepts and practices
Address CS content standards using culturally responsive instructional strategies and through new CTE and/or AP courses (e.g., Exploring Computer Science, Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A)
Develop both technology-based and “unplugged” approaches to CS instruction
Connect students to extended CS learning through extended-day activities and events, such as robotics or CyberPatriot clubs and competitions, Hour of Code or summer coding camps
Prepare students for college and career through work-based learning and college-and-career readiness activities, including opportunities for early college credit
Incorporate project-based learning into CS instruction
Create authentic assessments of student learning
School administrators and counselors will be able to:
Build a CS pathway that is high quality, scalable and sustainable and offers equity, access and inclusion for all teachers and students
Extend CS learning through extended-day activities and events, such as robotics or CyberPatriot clubs and competitions
Prepare students for college and career through work-based learning and college-and-career readiness activities
Understand teacher credentialing, standards and other statewide policies.