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​Computer Science (CS) education in Georgia is undergoing a transformation from a set of high school electives to a comprehensive K-12 discipline.  As our society experiences a shift into a widespread digital presence and awareness, our education system must also evolve. Students need to graduate with all the tools necessary to thrive in society; these tools now include a computer science education. CS education encompasses ideas such as digital literacy, digital competency, and computational thinking. This skill set will empower our students to solve many of our societal challenges and participate effectively in this digital age.

Updates​                                      ​

• New!​ ​The Georgia Department of Education is excited to announce the kickoff of the 2022-2023 ​Computer Science Virtual Specialist Professional Learning Series. (Virtual Professional Learning for All Grade Levels)
  
• New! The Georgia Department of Education in collaboration with Computer Science for GA (CS4GA) will host the first CS4GA App and Design Challenge​ for middle and high school students this school year. Visit the competition details​. An information session will be held for district leaders and teachers. RSVP if you wish to attend​. Rules, district and school guidance, along with the scoring rubric can be found under "For Teachers and Administrators." Awards and prizes will be given at the state level. Email Lavita Williams if you have questions.​ ​We look forward to your district particpating in this exciting event. 
  
• New! Computer science education week is an annual call to action to inspire k-12 students to learn computer science and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners to the field. Register to attend​ the virtual kick off event, Geogia Day of Code on Decemebr 5th. This event is for district leaders, students, and teachers.
  
• In collaboration with Constellations, we hosted the 2022 Profesional Development Summit on June 21 - 22, 2022. Check out the recording from the 2022 PD Summit.
• In collaboration with CS4GA and Constellations, we hosted the annual CS4GA Advocacy Summit on March​​​ 24 - 25, 2022. Check out the recordings from the 2020 Summit , the 2021 Summit, and 2022 Summit. ​​​​​​

• GaDOE recently awarded its fourth round of CS4GA Computer Science Capacity Grants to 17 districts. Each district will receive up to $25,000 to build their teacher capacity for computer science. These funds are part of the 2019 Computer Science (CS) legislation that requires all middle and high schools to offer CS; middle schools by the 2022-2023 school year, and high schools by the 2024-2025 school year​​​​. The grant is a one-time award. The next grant period will open in August of 2023.​

• Computer Science has a new page on GeorgiaStandards.org and an evolving data dashboard ​​​(check it out here!!​)

• ​​Advocacy videos promoting K-8 Computer Science

• ​​Georgia Virtual Learning has several online professional development courses for CS teachers. A series for Integrating Computational Thinking is publicly available and can be used to gain a nationally recognized credential from the International Society of Technology Education (ISTE) and provide credit towards the CS Endorsement at Georgia State University. Other courses are only available to Georgia teachers via your local SLDS and the GaLearns Hub professional learning portal (search for Computer Science).