BPC-AE: Expanding Computing Education Pathways (ECEP)

University Of Texas At Austin, Austin TX

Investigators

Abstract

The rapid advancements in computer science (CS) and artificial intelligence (AI) necessitate high-quality computing education for all K-12 students to prepare U.S. citizens for an increasingly technology dependent workforce and society. The Expanding Computing Education Pathways (ECEP) Alliance of 30 U.S. states and territories supports expanding computing and AI education for all K-12 students via state-initiated pathways and practices. ECEP fosters collective impact by promoting cross-state collaboration, equipping state leaders to use data to implement evidence-based and sustainable strategies that promote universal computing and AI education. Non-ECEP states also benefit by participating in professional coaching and convenings, accessing ECEP-developed tools and resources, and working in partnership with ECEP states to expand our nation’s collective capacity around computing and AI education. ECEP's mission is to increase universal capacity for, access to, participation in, and experiences of computing and AI education for all K-12 students. Four primary goals guide ECEP’s work. ECEP seeks to: 1) Collaboratively increase K-12 student pathways to computing and AI-intensive degrees; 2) Strengthen state capacity for CS and AI strategy implementation; 3) Establish consistent, data-driven measurement of student access and participation in computing courses; and 4) Catalyze improved CS and AI student outcomes through targeted state team professional coaching and peer collaboration. The ECEP Alliance prepares students for a future workforce that will require continuous learning, engagement with AI and advanced technologies, and success in an evolving education landscape. ECEP services include research-based toolkits, co-sponsorships that provide investments for scaling initiatives that will support all students, monthly Alliance calls, national convenings with state leadership teams, and a comprehensive communication infrastructure that promotes sharing of best practices across states. The Common Metrics Project, ECEP’s signature data initiative, builds state capacity to leverage and visualize data that leads to improved learning opportunities and outcomes for all students. The Scaling Innovative Pedagogy (ScIP) course, ECEP Connect, and ECEP Deep Dives are other key professional development experiences that are open to CS/AI educators and leaders across the U.S. ECEP delivers a return on investment by building the capacity for high-quality, universal CS and AI education for 33 million K-12 students across ECEP states. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.