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Licensing and Certification

Introduction to Section:

Supporting the licensing, mentoring supports, alternative instructor options, and professional learning opportunities for districts to create K-12 programming around computational thinking and computer science. Supporting districts in licensing options and course alignment to help promote building K-12 digital literacy, computational thinking, integrated content area programs, digital technology pathways, and access to AP Computer Science is a priority to ensure all districts can equitable scale programming.

State-Level Goal:

Our state-level goal is that all Wisconsin teachers will have access to learn the content and concepts of computational thinking and computer science at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. This includes preservice programs, certification/licensure, and professional learning opportunities supported by strategic partners and institutes of higher education

State-Level Strategies and Recommendations

  • Develop/review pre-service academic standards and curriculum for computer science, computational thinking, and digital literacy and information technology literacy with other content areas,

  • Collaborate with the DPI Licensing, Educator Advancement, and Development team and Institute of Higher Education (IHE) for computer science program approval.

  • Create a connection between K-12 Teaching and Learning, pre-service training, and industry to guide best practices in pre-service preparation.

  • Inform people from the computer science industry on pathways to licensure.

  • Provide school districts and educators with clear information on options to licensure and what can be taught with this licensure in addition to educator preparation programs.

  • Review current computer science (405/1405) license in regard to applications, alternative licensure requests, and pre-service programming data.

  • Provide information on district options for course design and standards alignment process to determine which license is needed to teach a course and course placement.

  • Connect districts/teachers with high-quality professional learning both for computer science-specific coursework and to integrate computational thinking into every course. Ensure professional learning focuses on equity.

  • Identify and share equitable practices from teachers currently teaching high-quality computer science courses.

  • Support online communities of practice and promote networks to share resources/support collaboration for district planning and instructional practices.
District Strategies and Implementation

  • Identify connections you already have between K-12 teaching and learning, pre-service training, and industry for opportunities and next steps to form deeper connections to generate training support for educators.

  • Identify and share pockets of excellence related to equitable practices in your district. Develop a plan to share these equitable practices.

  • Identify opportunities for professional learning that teachers already have and market opportunities to teachers.

  • Encourage industry-teacher partnerships that provide teachers with work experiences related to computer science.

  • Encourage the development of a computer science advisory board made up of district leaders and teachers, local businesses, and local/regional colleges.

  • Assess how computer science integrates with the work your district is already doing and utilize the CSforALL SCRIPT process to create district goals.