brown-skinned male student with a short haircut looking at a computer screen with a coding language displayed.

Did you know MS has a law requiring CS education in grades K-12?

The Mississippi Computer Science and Cyber Education Equality Act, which was approved in March of 2021, is aimed at promoting fairness and inclusivity in the field of computer science and cyber education. The act aims to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have equal opportunities to access and excel in these subjects. This legislation is designed to bridge the digital divide by providing resources and support to underrepresented communities, thereby fostering a more diverse and equitable learning environment. The act strives to empower Mississippi's youth with the necessary skills to thrive in the modern digital landscape and prepare them for future technological advancements.

Key Facts about the Strategic Vision and 10-year Plan for CS Education in Mississippi

 

The key points of the Mississippi Computer Science and Cyber Education Equality Act's Strategic Vision and 10-year plan can be summarized as follows:

  1. Inclusivity and Equal Access: The act aims to ensure that all students, regardless of their background or location, have equal access to computer science and cyber education opportunities. It seeks to eliminate disparities in access and provide a level playing field for all students.

  2. Diverse and Equitable Learning Environment: The act emphasizes the importance of creating a diverse and equitable learning environment in computer science and cyber education. It recognizes the need to address underrepresentation and promote inclusivity among students from underrepresented communities, including women, minorities, and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

  3. Curriculum Development: The act focuses on developing comprehensive and up-to-date curriculum standards for computer science and cyber education. It aims to align the curriculum with industry trends and ensure that students are equipped with relevant knowledge and skills to succeed in the digital age.

  4. Professional Development: The act recognizes the importance of providing ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers. It aims to enhance their knowledge and skills in computer science and cyber education through training programs, workshops, and resources.

  5. Partnerships and Collaboration: The act encourages partnerships and collaboration between educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private sectors. It seeks to leverage resources and expertise from various stakeholders to enhance computer science and cyber education initiatives.

  6. Infrastructure and Resources: The act highlights the need for adequate infrastructure and resources to support computer science and cyber education. It calls for investment in technology infrastructure, including hardware, software, and internet connectivity, to ensure that all students have the necessary tools to engage in these fields.

  7. Outreach and Awareness: The act emphasizes the importance of outreach and awareness campaigns to promote computer science and cyber education. It aims to inform and engage students, parents, and the community about the benefits and opportunities in these fields, fostering a culture of interest and participation.

  8. Evaluation and Accountability: The act includes provisions for evaluating the effectiveness of computer science and cyber education initiatives. It calls for regular assessments and monitoring of progress towards the goals outlined in the Strategic Vision and 10-year plan.

Overall, the Mississippi Computer Science and Cyber Education Equality Act's Strategic Vision and 10-year plan are centered around ensuring equal access, promoting diversity and inclusivity, developing relevant curriculum, providing professional development, fostering partnerships, investing in infrastructure, raising awareness, and maintaining accountability in the field of computer science and cyber education.

 

Links:

Overview of the MS Computer Science and Cyber Education Equality Act, https://www.mdek12.org/sites/default/files/Offices/MDE/OAE/OEER/ComputerScience/cs_fact_sheet_jun23.pdf 

Mississippi Computer Science 10-year Strategic Plan, https://www.mdek12.org/sites/default/files/documents/OAE/CTE/10yrcsplan_0.pdf

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections  https://data.bls.gov/search/query/results?cx=013738036195919377644%3A6ih0hfrgl50&q=computer+science+inurl%3Abls.gov%2Fooh%2F

Additional Resources

Mississippi Computer Science Standards

Mississippi Department of Education's Standards for Computer Science Instruction for students in grades K-12.

 

SEE THE STANDARDS>

 

CS4MS

The Computer Science for Mississippi (CS4MS) Initiative is a statewide pilot program of the Mississippi Department of Education to incorporate computer science curricula into Mississippi classrooms beginning with the 2016-17 school year.

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT CS4MS>

 
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