Activities per year
Abstract
Little is known about the extent to which expansions of K-12 computer science (CS) have been equitable for students of different racial backgrounds and gender identities. Using longitudinal course-level data from all high schools in California between the 2003–2004 and 2018–2019 school years we find that 79% of high school students in California, including majorities of all racial groups, are enrolled in schools that offer CS, up from 45% in 2003. However, while male and female students are equally likely to attend schools that offer CS courses, CS courses represent a much smaller share of course enrollments for female students than for male students. Non-Asian students enroll in relatively few CS courses, and this is particularly true for Black, Hispanic, and Native American students. Race gaps in CS participation are to a substantial degree explicable in terms of access gaps, but gender gaps in CS participation are not. Different groups of students have access to CS teachers with similar observable qualifications, but CS teachers remain predominantly white and male. Consequently, white and male CS students are much more likely than other students to have same-race or same-gender instructors. Our findings and the implications we draw for practice will be of interest to administrators and policymakers who, over and above needing to ensure equitable access to CS courses for students, need to attend carefully to equity-related course participation and staffing considerations.
Original language | English (US) |
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Journal | Policy Futures in Education |
DOIs | |
State | E-pub ahead of print - Dec 29 2021 |
Keywords
- computer science education
- high schools
- California
- equity
- teacher quality
- computer science
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Education
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Equity in high school computer science: Beyond access'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Activities
- 1 Invited talk
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Trends, Trade-offs, and Equity in Computer Science in California High Schools
Bruno, P. A. (Speaker)
Jan 2022Activity: Talk types › Invited talk
Press/Media
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Media Coverage of: California Computer Science Education Policy Research
2/24/22 → 10/5/23
2 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Studies examine effects of California's push for computer science education
2/24/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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Computer Science Trends and Trade-offs in California High Schools
Bruno, P. & Lewis, C. M., Aug 2022, In: Educational Administration Quarterly. 58, 3, p. 386-418 33 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Four Practical Challenges for High School Computer Science
Bruno, P., Saffar Perez, M. & Lewis, C. M., Jul 2022, Stanford, CA: Policy Analysis for California Education.Research output: Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Other report
Open Access