Predictors of K-12 CS Teacher Isolation and Course Offerings

Mariam Saffar Perez, Colleen M. Lewis

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Teacher isolation, where only one teacher at a school is teaching a particular subject, has been reported as one of the biggest challenges for computer science (CS) teachers in the US. However, the extent of CS teacher isolation has not been documented beyond teachers' self report. We use 14 years of middle and high school data from California to determine factors affecting the likelihood of CS being offered or a CS teacher being isolated at a school. We find that teachers in CS experience isolation at a higher rate than almost all other subjects and that larger schools are more likely to have one or more CS teachers. We extend prior work by showing that schools with a greater proportion of students underrepresented in computing are less likely to offer CS even when controlling for school size.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationRESPECT 2024 - Proceedings of the Conference for Research on Equitable and Sustained Participation in Engineering, Computing, and Technology
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
Pages35-42
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9798400706264
DOIs
StatePublished - May 16 2024
Event9th Conference for Research on Equitable and Sustained Participation in Engineering, Computing, and Technology, RESPECT 2024 - Atlanta, United States
Duration: May 16 2024May 17 2024

Publication series

NameRESPECT 2024 - Proceedings of the Conference for Research on Equitable and Sustained Participation in Engineering, Computing, and Technology

Conference

Conference9th Conference for Research on Equitable and Sustained Participation in Engineering, Computing, and Technology, RESPECT 2024
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAtlanta
Period5/16/245/17/24

Keywords

  • CS education
  • education policy
  • equity
  • teacher isolation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Science (miscellaneous)
  • Engineering (miscellaneous)
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Education
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Gender Studies

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