Learn, Teach, and Support the NYS Computer Science /Digital Fluency Standards
START HERE!
What you need to know
Did you know? In October 2018, NYSED formed an Authoring Workgroup and Review Panels with representation from all NYS regions and stakeholder groups, including: teachers, administrators, business and industry experts, parents, representatives from higher education, BOCES, Big 4 school districts, the NYC Department of Education, and members of various professional organizations. Final standards were approved by the Board of Regents at the December 2020 Regents meeting.
Where are we with this work? NYSED has published a complete timeline and implementation roadmap to help guide districts towards successful implementation of the K-12 CSDF Standards by September 2024.
Why does this matter? Read below on how these Standards support work around Digital Equity, English Language Learners, Students with Disabilities, and Early Learning.
To read and reflect on the CSDF Standards, visit to access:
- Full standards document (PDF and Excel version)
- Glossary of terms
- Standards by grade band
- At a Glance Standards documents
Binge Watch Video Topics from CSForNY Addressing the Why, What and How
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NYSED Info and Announcements
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Computer Science Program Planning
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Find Support for your Computer Science Program
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Computer Science in Elementary Grades
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Computer Science in Middle Grades
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Computer Science in High Schools
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Computer Science Teacher Certification
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Integrating Computer Science in Other Content Areas
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Equity in Computer Science Education
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Student Perspectives on Computer Science
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Understanding the K-12 CSDF Standards
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The Role of School Counselors in Computer Science Education
Key Partners
The following organizations have distinguished themselves in our region for providing timely, accurate and thoughtful guidance for understanding and implementing the CSDF Standards. We encourage you to visit the following recommended thought partners as part of your own learning journey:
- Computer Science for New York: CS for NY believes that every New York Student deserves access to CS regardless of zip code, race, gender or economic background. Be sure to:
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- Subscribe to the CS for NY Newsletter and blog
- Learn about New York’s Statement of Continued Eligibility, new CS teacher certification process, and approved programs
- Find curriculum resources and training for teachers new to Computer Science
- Watch the CS for NY State Summit videos (archived) and learn all about the standards, certifications, CTE regulations and more.
- NYSCATE: Our official Statewide organization for technology in the classroom provides various learning opportunities throughout the year in the form of conferences, online courses, webinars and vendor Corporate Council sessions. Be sure to:
- CSTA Lower Hudson Valley Chapter: CSTA is known as “the world’s largest computer science department” . This community specializes in both the content and pedagogy of computer science for all grade levels. Be sure to:
Learning Opportunities
Archived Webinars and Videos:
Quick intro videos: don’t know where to start?
The following short videos produced by Monroe BOCES are excellent to share with various district constituents (parents, students, teachers) as a way of understanding the “why” and “what” behind the CSDF Standards.
- Standards Overview
- Intro Video for Digital Literacy
- Intro Video for Computational Thinking
- Intro Video for Cybersecurity
- Intro Video for Impacts of Computing
- Intro Video for Networks and System Design
Software spotlights: new and upcoming vendors and products
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP WEEKLY PLANNER 2023
CELEBRATE DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP WEEK 2023
Every year, the third week of October is named Digital Citizenship Week. Teachers use this time to teach about digital citizenship and support students in developing the skills they need to use devices safely, ethically, and effectively. Common Sense Media started Digital Citizenship Week to highlight the importance of helping kids, families, and teachers navigate our 24/7 digital world.
Your colleagues in instructional technology would like to help make meaningful connections this week to our New York State Computer Science/Digital Fluency standards. We are publishing a weekly K-12 planner to help with finding lessons, discussion starters, pre-built activities and resources that will help us all become more savvy digital citizens, this week and beyond!
VISIT THE 2023 WEEKLY PLANNERS!
Teachers Toolkit: Browse Collections of K-12 Lessons, Ideas, Sample Activities
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Activities and Examples: eBooks Curated from Educators Across NYS with Sample Lessons for All Grade Levels
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SMART Start Grant Artifacts - Grant recipients from across the State share their published artifacts
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CSDF Wakelet (presentations and collections from BOCES and NYSCATE)
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Finding Support for Your District CS Program (From Microsoft; excellent embedded links)
SPOTLIGHT: New York's CS Teacher Certification takes effect on September 1, 2024
New York's CS Teacher Certification takes effect on September 1, 2024, so the 2023-24 school year is the LAST CHANCE for teachers to become eligible for the Computer Science Statement of Continued Eligibility.
Keep reading for SOCE and certification information, CS professional development opportunities, announcements, and events:
What is the SOCE:
The Statement of Continued Eligibility gives existing CS teachers 10 years to continue teaching CS for their "employer" (school district, BOCES, or other school where teacher certification is required) while completing certification requirements. It must be submitted on or before Sept 1, 2024 and is now available on TEACH. Check requirements for eligibility on NYSED's SOCE website and talk to your employer.
More Certification Information:
Find links to the NYSUT Fact Sheet on NYS CS Certification, a list of approved certification programs, and the list of courses requiring a CS certification or SOCE here on the CSForNY website.
Prepare to Teach a SOCE Eligible Course for 2023-24:
Partial list of professional development opportunities to help get new CS teachers started with a SOCE eligible course:
- Beauty and Joy of Computing
- Carnegie Mellon University Computer Science Academy
- Code.org Professional Learning
- CodeHS
- CS Awesome (AP CS A)
- Project Lead the Way
- School of Interactive Arts AP CSP through Game Design
- See more options on CSForNY
Sign up for a CS Teacher Certification Program:
There are 16 new CS Teacher Certification Programs available in New York State! You can find the full list of programs with details on the CSForNY Certification Page.
Attend the CSTA Virtual Conference:
Connect with the world’s largest computer science department at the CSTA 2023 Virtual Conference, set for July 11-13, 2023. The event is returning to Hopin this year to provide more teachers with access to the CSTA conference experience—regardless of where they are.
Save the Date for the CSForNY State Summit:
Save the Date for our 2023 CSForNY State Summit on Thursday, 9/28 from 4pm - 6pm and Friday, 9/29 from 9am - 2pm. We hope to see you there!
Administrator Toolkit: Tools and Templates for District Wide Visioning and Implementation
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Gap Analysis Templates (templates from Monroe BOCES) - Useful template for analyzing potential gaps in instruction
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Collection of Overview Videos - excellent "concept videos" to use with parents, teachers, students
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Concept Analysis Template - teacher friendly template for identifying ways to introduce the Standards
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Diagnostic Tool and Vision Template - guide to district wide needs analysis
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District Implementation Plan Template - project management template to identify who, what and when
How the Standards Support Equity
The COVID-19 Pandemic, and the responsive shift to remote and/or hybrid learning, brought forth a new understanding of the need to address digital equity in New York State. Sufficient access to a computing device and high-speed broadband is essential for educational equity. Devices and internet access alone will not ensure digital equity, however. Individuals must have an understanding of technology and the ability to use it effectively, safely, and productively, in order to pursue extended learning opportunities, including college and trades, enter the workforce, and fully participate in 21st Century life and citizenship.
The Standards were crafted to allow for engagement by all students and provide flexibility in how students may demonstrate proficiency. The Standards support a cultural view of learning and human development in which multiple expressions of diversity are recognized and regarded as assets for teaching and learning.
How the Standards Support English Language Learners
The need to promote computer science and digital fluency education among all students comes at a time when the system is already charged with building up language skills among an increasingly diverse student population. Students who are English Language Learners (ELLs) now comprise over 20% of the school-age population, which reflects significant growth in the past several decades.
ELLs, language minority learners, and students acquiring academic English often struggle to access the language, and therefore the knowledge, that fills the pages of academic texts, despite their linguistic assets. In turn, these students are over-represented among students identified with disabilities.
There is a pressing need to provide instruction that not only meets, but exceeds standards, and to provide multiple ways for students to demonstrate understanding and skills, as part of a system-wide initiative to promote equal access to learning for all students while capitalizing on linguistic and cultural diversity.
How the Standards Support Students with Disabilities
One of the fundamental tenets guiding educational legislation (the No Child Left Behind Act, and the Every Student Succeeds Act) and related policies over the past 15-years, is that all students, including students with disabilities, can achieve high standards of academic performance. A related trend is the increasing knowledge and skill expectations for PreK-Grade 12 students required for success in postsecondary education and 21st Century careers.
Each student’s individualized education program (IEP) must be developed in consideration of the State learning standards and should include information for teachers to effectively provide supports and services to address the individual learning needs of the student as they impact the student’s ability to participate and progress in the general education curriculum. In addition to supports and services, special education must include specially designed instruction, which means adapting, as appropriate, the content, methodology or delivery of instruction to address the unique needs that result from the student’s disability. By so doing, the teacher ensures each student’s access to the general education curriculum so that he or she can meet the learning standards that apply to all students.
How the Standards Support Early Learners
As with all NYS Learning Standards, the Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards should be implemented with careful understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practice, especially for our youngest learners. The academic foundation that is set in the early years is essential, and the social emotional needs and environment for learning are key ingredients for student success. As these standards are implemented, it is important to meet the needs of the “whole child,” recognizing that a well-rounded education, positive learning environment, strong home-school connection, and high expectations all contribute to student success.
Great care has been taken to ensure the new K-12 Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards align to developmentally appropriate expectations and practices for our youngest students. Educators will note that the Early Learning standards, especially the K-1 Standards, focus on familiar key skills and concepts: Recognizing and extending patterns; Problem Solving; Sequencing; Sorting, classifying, and labeling; Creating and following procedures; Learning and following rules; Predicting what will happen next. As these knowledge and skills areas are already central to early learning programs, teachers will find numerous ways to connect the Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards to existing curricula and learning activities. In addition, it is important to note that all standards in the early grades can be taught either with or without a computing device, to allow teachers the freedom to choose the most appropriate means to teach a specific concept or skill. It is undeniable that technology is a part of children’s lives, and the ability to understand and use technology safely and effectively to learn, communicate, and create is critical for life in the 21st Century. In the early grades, however, teachers should utilize technology as one of many tools available to help children learn. As the Standards do not require students to utilize technology, the decisions on how best to incorporate it in intentional and developmentally appropriate ways can be made by the teacher and school.