CSforVA Summit

About the Summit

Welcome to Virginia's first Computer Science Education Summit! Attendees will have a chance to explore the 2017 Virginia Computer Science Standards of Learning, share resources, and brainstorm with colleagues. This event will help the VDOE's vision of broadening participation in computing by equipping more school divisions with the tools they need to create a rich instructional program.

Virginia was the first state in the nation to adopt mandatory K-8 CS standards and required standards for middle and high school elective courses. We have long been committed to broadening participation in computing by expanding access to all learners. This conference is intended to allow your division to join state leaders' commitment to building our Digital Dominion.

In 2013, when Virginia leaders first undertook this mission, the state looked very different from today. Less than 1% of students statewide took a computer science class before graduation. Of those students, less than 25 percent were female, and less than 1% of that 1% were underrepresented minority students.

We're now 5th and 7th in the nation respectively for the number of black and Hispanic students taking the AP Computer Science exams. Through training initiatives, more than 20 percent of elementary students had access this year to computer science instruction. But we still have a long way to go, and we only reach our destination together.

Attending the summit is free, but spaces will be reserved to allow equity of attendance among the Superintendent's regions. A waitlist will be established and tickets will be awarded as space allows.

If you have any questions about the summit or attendance, please contact Timothy Ellis, VDOE Computer Science Specialist, by email at timothy.ellis@doe.virginia.gov or by phone at (804) 225-3489.