Date: March 29, 2007 4:50 PM
To: Jwhitehurst
From: carol parker
Re: ASAP Computer Information
Jane,
Just this week I went through my files and found your email. I had not acted on it as I didn't keep the DPI persons email address. I think I sent you her response, do you have it in your saved file?
Carol Parker
29 March 2007
ASAP Computer Science Information
To: Carol Parker/Superintendent/WCPSS@Staff
From: Jane Sutherland Whitehurst/ApexHS/WCPSS
Date: 03/29/2007 01:30PM
Subject: ASAP Computer Science Information
I know it's been over a year now, but you must have been bombarded with all the spending and assignment fiascos. I really need you. My deadline for the article for the "Computer Science Teachers Association" is April 4. I'm attending the focus meeting in Wilson today to at least pose the questions about computer science to see the response. I wandered if you'd had a chance to pose the rebuttles I had previously. I've copied them again if you need them.
From: Jane Sutherland Whitehurst/ApexHS/WCPSS
Date: 03/29/2007 01:30PM
Subject: ASAP Computer Science Information
I know it's been over a year now, but you must have been bombarded with all the spending and assignment fiascos. I really need you. My deadline for the article for the "Computer Science Teachers Association" is April 4. I'm attending the focus meeting in Wilson today to at least pose the questions about computer science to see the response. I wandered if you'd had a chance to pose the rebuttles I had previously. I've copied them again if you need them.
05 February 2007
Re: Regional Meeting on Core Curriculum
Date: February 5, 2007 6:22 PM
To: Jwhitehurst
From: Chris Stephenson
Re: Regional Meeting on Core Curriculum
Hi Jane,
I am glad to hear that you are going to be attending since you are extraordinarily well-versed on the issues.
I think the key point is that the computer science is an academic scientific discipline and that it needs to be recognized and dealt with as such and that the state needs to do something to rationalize that current inconsistencies between counties relating to where CS belongs.
It might be helpful to mention that this issue has been extensively studied in other states (for example Texas) with the resulting decision that computer science courses are considered eligible as a math or science credit under their new guidelines for core courses.
I am not sure you want to get into the teacher certification issues at this point.
Chris
To: Jwhitehurst
From: Chris Stephenson
Re: Regional Meeting on Core Curriculum
Hi Jane,
I am glad to hear that you are going to be attending since you are extraordinarily well-versed on the issues.
I think the key point is that the computer science is an academic scientific discipline and that it needs to be recognized and dealt with as such and that the state needs to do something to rationalize that current inconsistencies between counties relating to where CS belongs.
It might be helpful to mention that this issue has been extensively studied in other states (for example Texas) with the resulting decision that computer science courses are considered eligible as a math or science credit under their new guidelines for core courses.
I am not sure you want to get into the teacher certification issues at this point.
Chris
12 January 2007
Re: Regional Meeting on Core Curriculum
Date: January 12, 2007 10:16 AM
To: Carol Parker
From: jwhitehurst
Re: Regional Meeting on Core Curriculum
I thought you might find this interesting.
I've been commissioned to write about NC computer science for the CSTA (Computer Science Teachers of America).
The Executive Director of CSTA tried to talk to DPI. This was her take on DPI's response. I would like to talk at the public hearing meetings she talks about.
Jane
To: Carol Parker
From: jwhitehurst
Re: Regional Meeting on Core Curriculum
I thought you might find this interesting.
I've been commissioned to write about NC computer science for the CSTA (Computer Science Teachers of America).
The Executive Director of CSTA tried to talk to DPI. This was her take on DPI's response. I would like to talk at the public hearing meetings she talks about.
Jane
10 January 2007
Re: NC Course Requirements & Certification
Date: January 10, 2007 5:02 PM
From: Chris Stephenson
To: JSWHITEHURST
Re: NC Course Requirements & Certification
Hello Everyone,
Thank you all very much for responding to my request for information about how the new framework for core courses will impact computing education in North Carolina, and more specifically where computer science will fit under the proposed structure.
In order to keep you in the loop, I wanted to send you an update of what CSTA has learned so far.
From the many emails I received, it seems that AP CS courses are currently accepted as a core math credit except in Wake County, where several members have told me it falls under CTE.
I spoke to the folks at the Department of Public Instruction and they told that they have not decided where computer science will fit within the proposed framework. As far as I can discern, the present options seem to be:
• AP CS as a math credit and the rest as CET endorsement courses
• AP CS as an AP endorsement course and the rest as CET endorsement courses
• AP CS and the rest as CET endorsement courses
• All computing courses as Business courses (I don't think they are actually considering this one).
The person I spoke to at DPI told me there is *no* specific plan under consideration. It is clear, however, that what ever they decide will have impact not just on courses and students, but on teacher certification as well.
Right now there is no specific certification for CS teachers in North Carolina so, among the current population of CS teachers, some are math certified (required in districts where AP CS is considered a math course), some are CET certified (if they are teaching "programming" courses under CET) and some are business certified (may also be teaching CET courses and possibly AP CS as well). No matter which of the options they choose, if they apply it state-wide many teachers will not be able to teach CS without getting additional certifications. For example, if they choose the first option, (AP CS as a math credit and the rest as CET endorsement courses) the teachers in Wake County who have CET certification would not be able to teach AP CS unless they also acquired math certification. The real problem, of course is that they do not have a specific certification process for computing that would actually cover the computing content from CET through AP CS.
The DP folks tell me that the final decision in this matter will depend upon input received at the pubic hearings. Douglass Davis (one of our NC CSTA members) emailed me to say that he had asked for both of us to be added to the meeting announcement/press release list so we should be notified once the locations and dates of the meetings has been announced. I believe there are going to be eight meetings in different parts of the state.
I asked the DOP folks if we could have any input as a national body and they suggested we write the Chair of the State Board of Education and ask, but I am not sure we would get very far because they seem to be focusing on local input to the meetings. I think this is why it is very important to have at least one local member at each meeting if possible.
As soon as I have the information about the meetings, I will send it out to you and we will see what we can get organized.
Thanks so much for your input in this matter!
Chris
From: Chris Stephenson
To: JSWHITEHURST
Re: NC Course Requirements & Certification
Hello Everyone,
Thank you all very much for responding to my request for information about how the new framework for core courses will impact computing education in North Carolina, and more specifically where computer science will fit under the proposed structure.
In order to keep you in the loop, I wanted to send you an update of what CSTA has learned so far.
From the many emails I received, it seems that AP CS courses are currently accepted as a core math credit except in Wake County, where several members have told me it falls under CTE.
I spoke to the folks at the Department of Public Instruction and they told that they have not decided where computer science will fit within the proposed framework. As far as I can discern, the present options seem to be:
• AP CS as a math credit and the rest as CET endorsement courses
• AP CS as an AP endorsement course and the rest as CET endorsement courses
• AP CS and the rest as CET endorsement courses
• All computing courses as Business courses (I don't think they are actually considering this one).
The person I spoke to at DPI told me there is *no* specific plan under consideration. It is clear, however, that what ever they decide will have impact not just on courses and students, but on teacher certification as well.
Right now there is no specific certification for CS teachers in North Carolina so, among the current population of CS teachers, some are math certified (required in districts where AP CS is considered a math course), some are CET certified (if they are teaching "programming" courses under CET) and some are business certified (may also be teaching CET courses and possibly AP CS as well). No matter which of the options they choose, if they apply it state-wide many teachers will not be able to teach CS without getting additional certifications. For example, if they choose the first option, (AP CS as a math credit and the rest as CET endorsement courses) the teachers in Wake County who have CET certification would not be able to teach AP CS unless they also acquired math certification. The real problem, of course is that they do not have a specific certification process for computing that would actually cover the computing content from CET through AP CS.
The DP folks tell me that the final decision in this matter will depend upon input received at the pubic hearings. Douglass Davis (one of our NC CSTA members) emailed me to say that he had asked for both of us to be added to the meeting announcement/press release list so we should be notified once the locations and dates of the meetings has been announced. I believe there are going to be eight meetings in different parts of the state.
I asked the DOP folks if we could have any input as a national body and they suggested we write the Chair of the State Board of Education and ask, but I am not sure we would get very far because they seem to be focusing on local input to the meetings. I think this is why it is very important to have at least one local member at each meeting if possible.
As soon as I have the information about the meetings, I will send it out to you and we will see what we can get organized.
Thanks so much for your input in this matter!
Chris
Re: Certification
Date: January 10, 2007 7:24 AM
From: Carol Parker
To: JSWHITEHURST
Re: Certification
Jane,
I'm so sorry I haven't gotten back to you--the County Commission decision has put my world in to turmoil--we met from noon to 10:30pm last night. I've got a note to call you.
Carol Parker
From: Carol Parker
To: JSWHITEHURST
Re: Certification
Jane,
I'm so sorry I haven't gotten back to you--the County Commission decision has put my world in to turmoil--we met from noon to 10:30pm last night. I've got a note to call you.
Carol Parker
08 January 2007
Re: Certification
Date: January 8, 2007 10:23 AM
From: Carol Parker
To: JSWHITEHURST
Re: Certification
Jane,
I did find your email--let's talk soon... Carol Parker
From: Carol Parker
To: JSWHITEHURST
Re: Certification
Jane,
I did find your email--let's talk soon... Carol Parker
04 January 2007
Re: NC Framework for Core 21
Date: January 4, 2007 4:10 PM
From: Pat Phillips
To: JSWHITEHURST
Re: NC Framework for Core 21
Hi Jane,
I would very much appreciate learning more about the teacher certification problems in North Carolina. Please write about the situation for the CSTA Voice newsletter.
I attached an EZ_Submit form for your use. The deadline for the June issue is April 10. An article of between 600-800 words would be good. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Thanks,
Pat Phillips, Editor CSTA Voice
From: Pat Phillips
To: JSWHITEHURST
Re: NC Framework for Core 21
Hi Jane,
I would very much appreciate learning more about the teacher certification problems in North Carolina. Please write about the situation for the CSTA Voice newsletter.
I attached an EZ_Submit form for your use. The deadline for the June issue is April 10. An article of between 600-800 words would be good. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Thanks,
Pat Phillips, Editor CSTA Voice
Re: NC Framework for Core 21
Date: January 4, 2007 11:51 AM
From: Chris Stephenson
To: JSWHITEHURST
Re: NC Framework for Core 21
Hi Jane,
As we discussed on the phone yesterday, it would be great to have you write an article for the CSTA Voice outlining the current problem with CS teacher certification in North Carolina in light of DPI's announcement of the new student graduation requirements. I have cc'd our editor (Pat Phillips) so that she can send you the details for article submission.
Chris
From: Chris Stephenson
To: JSWHITEHURST
Re: NC Framework for Core 21
Hi Jane,
As we discussed on the phone yesterday, it would be great to have you write an article for the CSTA Voice outlining the current problem with CS teacher certification in North Carolina in light of DPI's announcement of the new student graduation requirements. I have cc'd our editor (Pat Phillips) so that she can send you the details for article submission.
Chris
03 January 2007
Core 21
Date: January 3, 2007
From: Chris Stephenson
To: CS Teachers in NC
Re: Core 21
CSTA has been watching state efforts to set new course requirements for students across the country and we are wondering if you have had any involvement in the new North Carolina course of study framework for high school course requirements and what you think this new framework might mean for K-12 computer science education.
According to a release by the State Board of Education Department of Public Instruction ( http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/newsroom/news/2006-07/20061208-01 ) the proposed core framework requires that all freshmen entering high school in the fall 2008 participate in a 21 unit core course of study that will include a four-unit endorsement in a specialty area of their choice. The new core course of study will require:
4 units of English
4 units of mathematics
3 units of science
3 units of social studies
2 units of a second language
1 unit of health/physical education
an endorsement of at least four units in one of the following areas: Career-Technical Education, Arts Education, JROTC, Advanced Placement/IB, Second Language or other.
While some states (Texas) allow students to count computer science as a mathematics or science core credit, it is not exactly clear where computer science will fit under this new North Carolina framework. Some have suggested that it will fit under Career-Technical Education, but that is not entirely clear.
We would be grateful if you could share any information you might have on this new policy.
Thanks
Chris
From: Chris Stephenson
To: CS Teachers in NC
Re: Core 21
CSTA has been watching state efforts to set new course requirements for students across the country and we are wondering if you have had any involvement in the new North Carolina course of study framework for high school course requirements and what you think this new framework might mean for K-12 computer science education.
According to a release by the State Board of Education Department of Public Instruction ( http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/newsroom/news/2006-07/20061208-01 ) the proposed core framework requires that all freshmen entering high school in the fall 2008 participate in a 21 unit core course of study that will include a four-unit endorsement in a specialty area of their choice. The new core course of study will require:
4 units of English
4 units of mathematics
3 units of science
3 units of social studies
2 units of a second language
1 unit of health/physical education
an endorsement of at least four units in one of the following areas: Career-Technical Education, Arts Education, JROTC, Advanced Placement/IB, Second Language or other.
While some states (Texas) allow students to count computer science as a mathematics or science core credit, it is not exactly clear where computer science will fit under this new North Carolina framework. Some have suggested that it will fit under Career-Technical Education, but that is not entirely clear.
We would be grateful if you could share any information you might have on this new policy.
Thanks
Chris
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