The K–12 broadening participation in computing (BPC) effort re- quires access to comprehensive state and national K–12 data from which stronger strategies for systems change can be developed. The Expanding Computing Education Pathways (ECEP) Alliance Com- mon Metrics Project (CMP) engages state teams that include state and local education agencies, researchers, and other BPC advocates addressing K–12 computer science (CS) inequities in access and participation at the systems level. The CMP promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing, with teams reporting how CMP enhances BPC policy, pathways, and practices to improve student access and participation in computing. This experience report shares how the CMP advances data as a key tool for driving BPC strategies in state advocacy and policy efforts. 
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                            Maximizing BPC Through Maryland's Annual State Summits
                        
                    
    
            Computer Science (CS) education advocates have worked within states to change K-12 education policies in order to broaden participation in computing (BPC) and grow CS as a content discipline within K-12 classrooms. Statewide summits, which convene a variety of stakeholders across levels of education, are pivotal events that build momentum for change. Maryland has utilized annual summits to leverage statewide advocacy in order to continue CS K-12 education growth. Summit evaluations provided valuable data to strategically plan additional events and advocacy activities. Data from the past four annual summits are analyzed and discussed. State advocacy outcomes include: 1) increased statewide CS education awareness, 2) the establishment of the Maryland Center for Computing Education, 3) seven million dollars of state funds dedicated to K-12 CS education professional development and pre-service teacher preparation program reform, and 4) the enactment of Securing the Future: Computer Science for All law. This law requires all Maryland public high schools to offer CS, make efforts at the middle and elementary levels to include CS, and broaden participation in computing in K-12 classrooms. Valuable insights are provided for other states to consider as they build BPC advocacy efforts through statewide summits in their own states. 
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                            - Award ID(s):
- 1822011
- PAR ID:
- 10284396
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Proceedings Article published 10 Mar 2020 in 2020 Research on Equity and Sustained Participation in Engineering, Computing, and Technology (RESPECT)
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1 to 4
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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