For computer science teachers, the challenge of becoming and remaining exemplary educators is hampered by systems of pre-service education and teacher certification that are profoundly disconnected from the discipline of computer science and the needs of teachers and students. This white paper addresses a number of aspects of the crisis in high school computer science teacher certification. It includes a comprehensive description of the issues relating to certification, a review of the relevant research literature, a selection of examples of current teacher certification models, and a set of recommendations for a multi-level model that will provide detailed requirements for educators from multiple pathways, including new teachers, teachers from other disciplines with computer science experience, teachers with no computer science experience, and people transitioning to teaching from business and industry. Click the image to download.

The CSTA Certification Committee feel it is interesting to note that there may be a link between strong teacher certification requirements and the number of students who write the AP CS A exam in each state. Both Maryland and Texas have strong teaching certification requirements and therefore it is interesting to look at the data from 1998 to 2008 and see what this might mean if other states adopt stronger teacher requirements. Maryland bucked the national trend and has steadily increased the number of students taking the CS AP A exam from 1998 to 2008.

MARYLAND
Year	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Students	119	337	480	571	599	623	673	725	752	808	895