Arkansas Computer Science Initiative 

2018 Computer Science Education Week Announcements

December 3-9, 2018 marked Computer Science Education Week. This page features Arkansas's computer science announcements made during that week.

 

Arkansas Becomes First State to Launch CrashCourse, a Virtual Reality Concussion Education Program, Statewide - Saturday, December 1, 2018

Press Release: /public/userfiles/news/2018/Arkansas_Becomes_First_State_to_Launch_Virtual_Reality_Concussion_Education_Program_Statewide.pdf

 

K-8 Computer Science Lead Teacher Stipend and Training Program Continued and Expanded for 2018 - Monday, December 3, 2018

Commissioner's Memo: https://adecm.ade.arkansas.gov/ViewApprovedMemo.aspx?Id=3834

Press Release: /public/userfiles/news/2018/Gov._Hutchinson_Announces_Expansion_of_Stipend_Training_Program_December_3_2018.pdf

Additional/Clarifying Information:

  •  Q: How does an interested educator sign up? - A: An interested educator begins the process by registering for and completing the summer training/professional development.
  •  Q: Where do I sign up for the required training/PD? - A: An interested educator will sign up through the Educational Service Cooperatives that will offer the training; however, do not contact them yet. To sign up for the K-8 Computer Science Lead Teacher Stipend and Training Program, educators must register for a 5-day (30 hour) K-8 Computer Science Lead Teacher Training Session, which will be posted at http://bit.ly/CSforARPD as scheduled. Spots will be limited and assigned on a first-to-register basis." Our team is confirming the dates and should begin posting those over the next couple of weeks.
  •  Q: Who can participate? - A: Any Arkansas licensed educator whose primary assignment is to an Arkansas public school that houses predominantly K-8 students and can meet the program requirements. 
  •  Q: How does an educator add the required 528 Computer Science Endorsement? - A: Please visit and read the ADE/ARCareerEd Fact Sheet, specifically the section regarding licensure, which begins on page 2. However, the direct answer is, Any teacher with a standard license will be able to add the 4-12 computer science endorsement to their license by taking and meeting the ADE approved cut score on the Praxis™ Computer Science (#5651) exam and submitting an Arkansas Educator Licensure Application. 
  •  Q: Why isn't there a stipend program for high-school computer science teachers? - A: There is! See Commissioner's Memo COM-19-054 and no, a teacher cannot participate in both stipend programs!

 

$1,000.00 Conference Sponsorships for the 2019 Computer Science Teachers Association Annual Conference in Phoenix - Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Commissioner's Memo: https://adecm.ade.arkansas.gov/ViewApprovedMemo.aspx?Id=3837

Press Release: /public/userfiles/news/2018/ADE_to_Provide_Sponsorships_for_Teachers_to_Attend_National_Computer_Science_Conference_December_4_2018.pdf

Press Release (Announcing Winners): /public/userfiles/news/2019/ADE_Announces_18_Recipients_of_1000_Sponsorships_to_Attend_Computer_Science_Conference_2019.pdf 

 

 

No Announcement in Honor of the National Day of Mourning - Wednesday, December 5, 2018

 

Governor Hutchinson, ADE Announce Creation of Computer Science Educator of the Year Award - Thursday, December 6, 2018

Press Release: https://governor.arkansas.gov/news-media/press-releases/governor-hutchinson-ade-announce-creation-of-computer-science

Additional/Clarifying Information: 

  •  ADE will announce the application process via a Commissioner’s Memo by January 31, 2019.
  •  The application window will be open during February, and the five finalists will be announced in March.
  •  The 2019 Arkansas Computer Science Educator of the Year will be named in late spring.

 

Innovation in Computer Science School Grant Program - Winners Announced - Thursday, December 6, 2018

Commissioner's Memo: https://adecm.ade.arkansas.gov/ViewApprovedMemo.aspx?Id=3843

Press Release: /public/userfiles/news/2018/15_Schools_and_Districts_Receive_Computer_Science_Grants_Totaling_More_than_240000_2018.pdf

Additional/Clarifying Information:

Submitted applications for each of the programs approved may be viewed by clicking on the school name below:

#ARKidsCanCode / #RISEArkansas Announcement for Computer Science Education Week 2018 - Friday, December 7, 2018

Commissioner's Memo: https://adecm.ade.arkansas.gov/ViewApprovedMemo.aspx?Id=3844

Press Release: /public/userfiles/news/2018/ADE_Reading_and_Computer_Science_Initiatives_to_Provide_Books_and_Coding_Devices_to_Teachers_and_School_Libraries_2018.pdf

Additional/Clarifying Information: Books will be mailed to schools within the coming weeks.

 

Other Archived Announcements

2017 Computer Science Education Week Announcements

For more information, please contact:

Four Capitol Mall
Little Rock, AR 72201
501-682-0459
 
 
State Director of Computer Science Education
501-682-0459
 
 
 
Office of Computer Science Program Advisor
501-682-5246