Fact Sheet
The future of computer science education
NSF priority: Building a computationally-empowered and diverse 21st-century workforce
NSF supports the development of technologies that help students learn about computing.
December 8, 2014
This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.
A strong foundation in computer science--being able to apply foundational concepts, methods and tools--is required to excel in an increasingly digital and computational world. The National Science Foundation (NSF) leads the nation in supporting the development and teaching of rigorous and engaging computer science (CS) courses. In addition, NSF has a strong commitment to broadening participation in computing through evidence-based practices.
NSF's investments in CS education can be loosely grouped into the four categories below:
CS curriculum development
Access to CS at the K-12 levels remains extremely limited. In fact, the majority of U.S. high schools don't offer a single computer science class. NSF aims to address this shortfall by supporting the development of new rigorous and engaging CS courses. To start, two new high school courses have been built: an introductory course called Exploring Computer Science or ECS and a new College Board Advanced Placement (AP) course called AP Computer Science Principles.
- College Board launches new AP Computer Science Principles course
- A new approach to creating a computing curriculum
- App-ealing to students through app development
CS teacher professional development
Professional development for teachers helps to expand the availability and efficacy of these new CS courses. Since 2010, NSF has led the "CS 10K" effort and has funded principal investigators to develop new curricula with the goal of training ten thousand teachers to teach computer science in ten thousand schools. More recently, NSF's partners, like Code.org, have agreed to expand this goal to include all schools in the nation.
Broadening participation in computing
Women, girls and minorities participate in very low numbers in computing. This amounts to a loss of talent, creativity, and innovation for the discipline. NSF is committed to broadening participation in computing by supporting efforts to build a rich knowledge base of the effective teaching educational practices for computing skills and concepts, with particular attention to those that are effective for students from underrepresented groups.
- Education research team successfully launches innovative computer science curriculum
- Helping students thrive in a digital world
- Addressing the shortage of women in technology
- CompuGirls: Young women have role to play in technology field
CS Education Partnerships
Through strategic partnerships, NSF is amplifying its CS education efforts. Working with other federal agencies, school districts, non-profits, foundations, private industry and others, NSF is expanding access to and student learning in computer science. These efforts aim to inspire and retain a diverse STEM workforce.
Throughout CS Ed Week, NSF will showcase innovative programs, projects and researchers supported by the foundation that are charting a path for the future of Computer Science education.
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Students work on Scratch, a computer programming language designed for kids (with support from NSF).
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NSF programs expose diverse students to careers in computing.
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Media Contacts
Aaron Dubrow, NSF, (703) 292-4489, email: adubrow@nsf.gov
The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.
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