We are a leader in providing professional development for computer science educators, offering training in nationally recognized computer science curricula. We are the K-12 computer science teacher training hub for the New England region.
With funding from the Code.org, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and local business and industry, we offer training at low or no cost to school districts and educators, create ongoing support through professional learning networks, and prepare teachers to change lives.
SCRIPT: Strategic Planning Tool for School Districts
School districts and other local education organizations are the unit of change toward creating rigorous, inclusive and sustainable K-12 computer science education. The SCRIPT (Strategic CSforALL Resource & Implementation Planning Tool) is a nationally-recognized framework to guide teams of district administrators, school leaders, and educators through a series of collaborative visioning, self-assessment and goal-setting exercises to support systems-level change by addressing five key areas: (1) Leadership, (2) Teacher Capacity and Development, (3) Curriculum and Materials Selection and Refinement, (4) Partners, and (5) Community.
Several workshops will be offered around the state during 2023 and 2024. Please email deborah@csforma.org if you would like to be added to the SCRIPT Workshop list. And please stay tuned for more announcements.
CSforMA Professional Learning Institutes
Our CSforMA Professional Learning Institutes offer faculty professional development in emerging technologies though a series of week-long sessions, as well as Code.org’s Professional Learning Program for K-5, Middle School and High School. These Institutes allow educators to take advantage of train-the-trainer sessions, gain experience with advanced software tools and platforms, and learn collaboratively with colleagues from across the state. We have cross-walked all of our offerings to the DLCS standards so that teachers are able to gain competency review for licensure.
The CSforMA Professional Learning Institutes for 2022 will once again feature intensive train-the-trainer courses in emerging technologies that track closely to our Digital Literacy and Computer Science standards and licensure requirements. Thanks to significant contributions from the Digital Literacy Now Grant and our business partners, we are able to offer scholarships for educators in MA public schools and private schools that serve a large number of underrepresented minorities or economically- disadvantaged populations.
Stay Tuned for the CSforMA Professional Learning Institutes for 2023 which will take place the week of July 24th in Southbridge, MA and the week of July 31st in Woburn, MA. Registration opened in January for Code.org courses and in March for DLCS courses.
We are the Code.org Massachusetts Regional Partner, offering Professional Learning Programs in CS Discoveries (grades 6-10) and for CS Principles (grades 9-12). The Code.org Professional Learning Program is open and provided at no cost to Massachusetts educators who are interested in teaching computer science with Code.org resources. While no prior computer science experience is required, we do encourage educators to participate in a New to CS Bootcamp prior to participating in the Professional Learning Programs.
- For Middle and High School options, CLICK HERE.
- If you are seeking K-5 professional learning, CLICK HERE.
EXPLORING COMPUTER SCIENCE (ECS) is a yearlong course designed to teach the fundamental concepts and big ideas of computing and coding. The course draws on the curricular framework of the ACM’s Model Curriculum for K-12 Computer Science. We offer train-the-trainer professional development in this curriculum, and in certain cases graduate credit for participating faculty.