In this episode I unpack McGee, Dettori, and Rasmussen’s (2022) publication titled “Impact of the CPS computer science graduation policy on student access and outcomes,” which explores the impact of a computer science graduation requirement in Chicago Public Schools.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Intro

02:56 Paper intro

03:27 Methods

04:36 Results - How did CPS’s Capacity to offer computer science change after the graduation requirement was enacted?

07:36 How did Access to computer science courses change after the graduation requirement was enacted?

09:18 How did Participation in computer science change after the graduation requirement was enacted?

11:36 Participation of students with disabilities

12:43 How consistent were the student Experience in and outcomes from their computer science courses before and after the enactment of the graduation requirement?

13:49 Comparison of ECS course grades before and after the enactment of the graduation requirement

17:20 Comparison of additional course taking before and after the enactment of the graduation requirement

19:29 Conclusion and recommendations

21:51 Lingering thoughts and questions

22:08 What was the impact on students during high school and after graduation?

25:03 How did this course requirement negatively impact students?

26:09 How might other districts support similar requirements in their schools?

27:15 How might the district have achieved the same results without the graduation requirement?

28:43 Outro