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AP Computer Science

AP Computer Science. How to Begin and Sustain Programs Presented by Fran Brady Leyden High Schools Director of Careers. Brief History. College Board added course in 1983 – 1984 Pascal (structured language) Early 90s introduced C ++ (object-oriented language)

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AP Computer Science

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  1. AP Computer Science How to Begin and Sustain Programs Presented by Fran Brady Leyden High Schools Director of Careers

  2. Brief History • College Board added course in 1983 – 1984 • Pascal (structured language) • Early 90s introduced C ++ (object-oriented language) • In 1999 Java came onto the scene as the best available language and became the new language of the AP CS in 2004

  3. Current State of Curriculum • No current curriculum for K – 12 • Few CS education standards for secondary education • Typically an elective NOT core education • ACM and CSTA report “Running On Empty” • Rate of AP CS offering • Only a half to 1 percent of all AP exam are taken on the topic (Pitt, 2013)

  4. The Course • Object-Oriented Program Design • Program Implementation • Program Analysis • Standard Data Structures • Standard Algorithms • Computing in Context

  5. The Exam • Section I – Multiple Choice (1 hour 15 minutes for 40 questions) • Section II – Free-Response (1 hour 45 minutes for 4 problems involving extended reasoning)

  6. ScoreDistribution 2003 - 2013

  7. Preparing Teachers to Teach CS • “Chicken and egg” problem • Procedural and data abstraction, object-oriented programming, and design methodology, algorithms, and data structures • AP CS workshops, summer institutes, AP Central web site • Teacher preparation programs do not include courses in CS for business majors

  8. College Board – AP CS Teachers • Background in computer science, mathematics, business, or an entirely different field • Degree in CS, earned a living as a programmer, or studied CS on your own • Drafted to teach the course *

  9. Course Prerequisites (no correlations have been proven) • Knowledge of basic algebra and problem solving • Competence in written communication • AP Potential – helps educators reach out to students who have not been considered for AP • The College Board discourages using gatekeepers such as gpa, grade in prerequisite course, recommendations, ACT/SAT, entrance exam

  10. School Motivators • Extra weighting of AP course grades when determining class rank • Full or partial payment of AP exam fees • On-site exam administration • Extra preparation periods • Reduce class sizes • Additional classroom funds • Extra salary • Administrative support and policy revisions

  11. Technology Advisory Board • Membership includes Google, Microsoft, CDW, Best Buy Geek Squad, UPS, eParts& More, KCS Technologies, and CompTIA • Certifications (A+, Net+, and CCNA) • Programming Languages • Ability to Comprehend • Problem Solving • Teamwork

  12. Leyden’s AP Path • First course in SY 2007 (one section) • SY 2008 (one section) • SY 2009 (two sections) • SY 2010 ZERO • SY 2011 (one section) • SY 2012 Online and CIS 101 Dual Credit • SY 2013 Online and CIS 101 Dual Credit

  13. Leyden’s Reality • 3 year Math requirement (class of 2008-2009) • Significant below-grade level scores in reading and math • Comprehensive high school (limited population; competition among other electives) • Teacher preparation and additional preps • Implementation of 1:1 Initiative

  14. Where’s the Credit • High School Credit • AP Credit • Dual Credit – Teacher credentials are monitored by the ICCB. • Masters Degree in Computer Science • 16 graduate hours in Computer Science • Dual Credit is an option available for early-release Cooperative Education Program

  15. Online Options • IVS discontinued AP CS • Florida Virtual School • IMACS – Institute for Mathematics and Computer Sciencewww.eimacs.com • Students take an aptitude test • Includes Java compiler, interactive exercises and tests, and student projects. • More than 70 schools use the IMACS curriculum • Total of 7 students have completed the program • Earning scores of 4 and 5

  16. Department Solutions • Options for course completion • Dual-credit with Triton Community College of CIS 101 • Creation and implementation of Programs of Study that include CIS 101 or AP CS (Accounting implemented 2011) • Promote and offer course as summer school option (implementation 2014)

  17. Leyden’s Related Classes • Digital Literacy * • Networking • Video Game Design • Web Design • Technical Support Internship

  18. Present State and Future Direction(Stephenson 2010) • AP exam is a gatekeeper • Designed as a college level course • Never meant to be a first level course • Focus on language syntax • Does little to demonstrate the breadth and depth of CS careers • AP CS does not meet HS graduation requirements

  19. About High School AP CS(Deckelmann2013) • Reading comprehension is the biggest barrier to completion of AP Computer Science • From 2005 to 2009 there was a 35% drop in schools that offered AP CS • Algebra is NOT a prerequisite to CS • Counselors do not understand the course content

  20. AP Computer Science Principles (Implementation May 2017) • 2008 – number of students taking AP SC fell 15% between 2001 and 2007; number of college freshmen majoring in CS fell 70% • Beyond JAVA (AP CS makes up 0.7% of all AP exams) • Focus on groups who are currently underrepresented • Using and creating applications for socially beneficial purposes • Promote post-secondary studies in CS (expressed interest 2%; labor needs in 2018 11%)

  21. AP CS: Principles Framework Computational Thinking Practices, Big Ideas, Key Concepts, Supporting Concepts • Connecting computing • Developing computational artifacts • Abstracting • Analyzing problems and artifacts • Communicating • Collaborating

  22. More on IMACS • University-level coursework • Engaging for younger audiences • Intellectually stimulating and engaging • Principal instructor • Senior instructors and support 24/7 • Accepted by colleges for intro CS course

  23. Professional Development • Computer Science Teachers Association • HR5, the Student Success Act • States that CS teachers should be supported by the bills professional development initiatives • Emphasizes the need for more CS teachers • Pursues strategies to elevate the profile of the most important discipline in the 21st Century • You Tube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9XenrSbXmA

  24. Student Interest • Empowers students • Creates options • Quick-growing industry • Stimulates innovation

  25. Other Options • EverFi • Radius – Math and Coding • Topics ranging from the real world applications using algebra and basic computer science • Interactive lessons and STEM career possibilities • www.everfi.com

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