C6.17 - Approve the Agreement with Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) and CodeHS, Inc. for Florida Teaching Certification Exam Preparation and Instructional Delivery (Academic Services)

CodeHS is an online professional development course to prepare teachers for the Florida Teaching Certification Examinations in K-12 Computer Science (FTCE-CS). The CodeHS FTCE-CS preparation course is the only course that addresses all of the competencies designated for the exam. The CodeHS FTCE-CS preparation course is offered entirely online and is made up of a series of learning modules that cover both the basics of programming and the pedagogy of teaching programming in a blended classroom. Each module is made up of short video tutorials, programming exercises, open-ended responses, debugging problems, and grading practice. The course is designed for new and experienced teachers and addresses all tested competencies including:

Competency 1: Knowledge of computational thinking and problem solving
Competency 2: Knowledge of data types and structures
Competency 3: Knowledge of programming logic
Competency 4: Knowledge of programming languages
Competency 5: Knowledge of computer hardware, software, and networking
Competency 6: Knowledge of the historical aspects and social issues related to computer technologies
Competency 7: Knowledge of computer science pedagogy 

In addition to the certification preparation course, CodeHS provides course-based learning modules for students enrolled in Advanced Placement Computer Science A inclusive of teaching tutorials for educators. These modules will also be purchased for our high schools that offer the course.

HCPS does not have a preparation course for teachers who wish to be certified in K-12 Computer Science. Our district has fewer than 35 teachers certified in this area; expansion of K-12 computer science course offerings require additional teachers to be certified.

HCPS has not implemented an online learning program for teachers to prepare them for the Florida Teaching Certification Exam, K-12 Computer Science.

Forty-five teachers from HCPS will become certified in K-12 Computer Science and the students of 15 teachers of Advanced Placement Computer Science A will be prepared for the examination in the course for 2020/2021.

* Improve Student Achievement

That the Board approve the purchase of CodeHS for Florida Teaching Certification Exam Preparation and Instructional Delivery for use in professional learning for teachers and student learning in classrooms. 

Terry Connor, Deputy Superintendent, Instruction, terry.connor@hcps.net, 272-4221
Larry R. Plank, Ed.S., Executive Director, Science Education, larry.plank@hcps.net, 272-4622

The total fiscal impact is $182,250 from the Florida Department of Education Computer Science Certification grant (Project Number 290-90430-0P001).  Regular district funds will not be used for this purchase.