Mission Statement

The Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) is a membership organization that supports and promotes the teaching of computer science and other computing disciplines. It provides opportunities for K-12 teachers and students to better understand the computing disciplines and to more successfully prepare themselves to teach and to learn.

Why do we need CSTA?

Computer Science education in American sorely needs attention and reform:

• The number of computer science teachers is decreasing overall, particularly within the high school and middle school grades.¹
• Minority students are dramatically underrepresented in K-12 computer science coursework. For example, less than 3% of AP Computer Science students in 2004 were African American.²
• Women are also underrepresented in computer science.³
• Less than 1 in 4 American high schools offers Advanced Placement Computer Science courses.⁴
• Fewer college students are enrolling in computer science courses, and fewer graduates with computer science degrees are going on to earn their Ph.Ds.⁵

CSTA will address serious issues including: curriculum standards, certification, professional development and the need for more and better resources.

• CSTA provides a voice for K-12 computer science educators, both nationally and internationally, representing their interests at all levels of the educational system and with the state and federal authorities whose policies impact educational content, practice, and funding.
• CSTA works with teachers to build a community of educators committed to educational excellence.
• CSTA provides a bridge between high school educators, university educators, and the high tech industry.
• CSTA works with teachers to address critical needs for professional development and for the creation and distribution of key curricular, teaching, and resource materials.

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¹ Market Data Retrieval, [insert citation date]
² AP Report to the Nation, College Board, 2005
³ National Center for Education Statistics, Trends in Educational Equity of Girls and Women, 2004
⁴ Ibid.
⁵ 2002-2003 Taulbee Survey

Resources

Java Education Teacher Training (JETT) program Model Curriculum for K-12 Computer Science

CSTA Board of Directors

• Michelle Hutton: President
• Robb Cutler: Past President
• Steve Cooper: Vice-President
• Duncan Buell: University Faculty Rep.
• Dave Burkhart: K-8 Rep.
• Debbie Carter: At-large Rep.
• Myra Deister: 9-12 Rep.
• Barb Ericson: Teacher Education Rep.
• Joanna Goode: School District Rep.
• John Harrison: At-large Rep.
• Margot Phillipps: International Rep.
• Brian Scarbeau: 9-12 Rep.
• Deborah Seehorn: State Dept. Rep.
• Fran Trees: Chapter Liaison
• Anita Verno: College Faculty Rep.

CSTA Advisory Council

• Debra J. Richardson
  The Ted and Janice Smith Dean
  University of California at Irvine (Chair)
• Frances E. Allen
  Fellow Emerita
  IBM's T.J. Watson Research Laboratory
• Judith Gal-Ezer
  Chair, Professional CS Committee of the Israeli Ministry of Education
  The Open University of Israel
• Phillip B. Gibbons
  Principal Research Scientist
  Intel Research
• Karen Kahan
  Director, Technology Applications
  Texas Education Agency
• Maria Klawe
  President, Harvey Mudd College
• Edward Hunter
  Chief of Staff
  CTO Office, Sun Microsystems, Inc.
• Eric Roberts
  Professor, Computer Science Department
  Stanford University
• Linda Roberts
  Consultant
• Kevin Schofield
  General Manager for Strategy and Communications
  Microsoft Research