Lincoln Public Schools has been honored as the best school district in the country for computer science instruction.
The Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) and Code.org named LPS the “Champion for Computer Science” school district winner for 2018. LPS Curriculum Specialist for Computer Science Kent Steen traveled to Seattle to accept the award on the school district’s behalf from, among others, Melinda Gates. The award ceremony is part of the Computer Science Education Week kickoff event.
Steen is also part of an interdisciplinary team of Nebraska researchers using a four-year, $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop and deploy a program aimed at helping the state’s educators effectively teach computer science to a diverse group of K-8 students. Computer Science for All: Adapt, Implement and Research at Nebraska (go.unl.edu/airne) will fund K-8 teacher professional development in computer science. To be one of the 28 teachers in the first cohort, apply now at http://scimath.unl.edu/airne/.
CSTA and Code.org said LPS won this award because of its efforts to make “computer science education accessible for everyone.” LPS now offers computer science courses in all 39 elementary schools, eight of 12 middle schools and all six high schools.
LPS also is a founding member of the national CS for All Consortium, whose mission is “to make high-quality computer science an integral part of the educational experience of all K-12 students and teachers and to support student pathways to college and career success.”
“It mirrors what we believe at LPS: all means all,” Steen said.
To read more, see this story from KLKN Channel 8: http://www.klkntv.com/story/39588672/lincoln-public-schools-named-best-school-district-in-the-nation-for-computer-science-curriculum