Computer Science Standards
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Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science | Computer Science Education | Frequently Asked Questions
Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science
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Download the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science
- These standards were presented to the Oklahoma State Board of Education for their consideration on March 8, 2018. Read the memo to the board here.
- The OAS-CS were unanimously approved by the board (see minutes here) and were submitted to the Oklahoma State Legislature for their approval on March 18, 2018.
- SJR 72 was passed by the legislature on April 30, 2018, providing final approval for the standards.
- New guidance regarding the use of Computer Applications to Meet Core and College/Work- Ready Curriculum Requirements for Graduation is now available here.
- Please read the FAQs at the bottom of this page for more information about implementation.
Computer Science Education
What it Includes:
- Study of computers
- Analyzing and creating programming/software designs
- Studying hardware designs
- Researching and analyzing usage in local and national context
- Evaluating the impact on society
What it Does Not Include:
- Teaching students to type or use a mouse
- Learning to use applications (e.g., word processing program or slides)
- Playing video games
- Building or repairing a computer
Frequently Asked Questions
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How were the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science developed?
- With Deborah Trytten from the University of Oklahoma and Hallie Hughes from Durant Public Schools serving as the CS Standards Committee Co-Chairs, we are certainly in good hands! We have been working for three months with a wonderful group of educators. Our Writing Team, broken into K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 groups, met three times to develop grade-level standards. In November, the 25-member Draft Review Team submitted their first review of the standards providing input on clarity, grade-level appropriateness, alignment to the K12 CS Framework concepts and practices, and coherent progressions. The Writing Team reviewed and incorporated this feedback to produce a set of standards were available for a one-month public comment period ending January 8, 2018.
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How are public comments utilized in the standards development process?
- Public comments inform the Writing Team in the areas of clarity, grade-level appropriateness, and general opportunities to improve the standards. While every review is considered, common themes often arise and are given particularly careful consideration. Our hope is that respondents to the public comment survey will see adjustments based on their thoughtful review and recommendations.
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Are the standards written for all Oklahoma students?
- The Oklahoma State Department of Education and the members of the Writing and Draft Review Teams strive to ensure the new standards communicate a vision for Computer Science education that prepares all students for a future that is increasingly technological. We believe defining clear, attainable, yet ambitious learning standards for Computer Science sets a worthwhile goal for our state as we work to ensure that any child might pursue a career in coding, engineering, or any number of pathways that are strengthened by computational thinking.
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When will these standards be officially adopted?
- The standards have been officially approved by the Oklahoma State Board of Education and the Oklahoma Legislature. They are official as of April 30, 2018.
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When will these standards be implemented in Oklahoma schools?
- Oklahoma schools are encouraged to begin implementation during the 2018-2019 school year. Many support structures and professional development opportunities will be provided beginning in the same school year to support a full implementation by the 2019-2020 school year.
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Are all schools required to implement these standards?
- While Computer Science courses are not required for all schools or students in Oklahoma, it is our hope that schools who offer any form of computer technology courses will begin to adapt those courses utilizing these standards beginning in the 2018-2019 school year. Existing courses such as Computer Science and Computer Programming will be expected to use the standards and much more support will be provided after the standards adoption process is complete.
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What certification is required to teach Computer Science courses?
- While not required in Oklahoma, it is recommended that Computer Science teachers take and pass the Computer Science certification exam offered by the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability.
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What are Levels 1 and 2, and what do they mean?
- The development of high school computer science standards presents a complex challenge as the current course offerings across Oklahoma schools is quite diverse. The high school writing team elected to create Level 1 standards that detail the key knowledge, skills, and abilities all high school students should have as they build competency with the computer science concepts. These Level 1 standards are likely addressed in a Computer Science 1 and 2 sequence. The Level 2 standards provide a pathway for greater specialization that may be useful for those students who hope to pursue Computer Science as a certification area or potential minor or major at the collegiate level. These Level 2 standards are likely addressed in courses such as AP Computer Science A and Advanced Programming.
