In this episode I unpack Catalyze Tech Working Group’s (2021) publication titled “The ACT Report: Action to Catalyze Tech, A Paradigm Shift for DEI,” which provides suggestions for business that would like to improve DEI in ways that are relevant to CS organizations and educators.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Intro

00:24 Preface

01:41 My single sentence summary

02:15 Outline of the report and introduction

09:15 Section I: M.O.S.T. Important Recommendations

10:33 Systems thinking

10:56 Section II: A detailed summary of recommendations

11:14 Model an incentivize inclusive leadership

17:20 Operationalize DEI throughout the business

34:59 Share DEI data, metrics, and goals

42:14 Transform pathways into tech for underrepresented talent

53:40 Lingering questions and thoughts

53:46 I’m skeptical when I see reports use phrases like “school-to-tech pathway” by ensuring “that every student has the fundamental math and science background to study CS.” (p. 16)

55:03 When we say a diverse workforce, what does that mean to you?

56:11 There is a tendency when some people advocate for diversity to be vague in what’s being asked for, so how can we as individuals or as a field clarify goals to strive toward?

58:01 When is the purpose of education for getting a job and when is it not?

58:27 Outro