New Tech Apps Director at the Texas Education Agency…and find out about the discontinued Computer Science AB exam and its impact on PEIMS codes.

As the new Technology Applications Director at TEA, I hope to get to know you and work with you to support Computer Science and Technology Applications. I wanted to bring one topic to your attention and address any questions or concerns you might have.

As you have been informed by the College Board, the Computer Science AB exam will be discontinued after May 2009. Our AP Computer Science II course is associated with that exam. Therefore, we have been made aware that we must delete the AP Computer Science II PEIMS codes associated with this exam from the system as of July 2009. Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, the course and associated code will no longer be available for use in Texas districts. No changes are expected regarding AP Computer Science II associated with the AP Computer Science A exam.

There are a couple of options under discussion for our students to continue their rigorous learning of Computer Science. The first is one that can be implemented easily and does not involve waiting, approval or any type of pilot situation. It is to offer a Computer Science course using curriculum from the current AP Computer Science AB course and the associated PEIMS code for Independent Study in Technology Applications (Texas Administrative Code §126.29). This will not be an official AP course.

Another option under discussion is being used by other states. In a handful of other states, school districts are making independent agreements with local colleges and universities to offer dual course credits, so they can keep the program in their catalogs. For example, in Washington, the University of Washington has provided a course using the AP Computer Science AB curriculum for high school students taught by high school teachers. For information about this option, visit http://www.cs.washington.edu/homes/reges/uwhs/. I share this with you as an example.

I would like to continue this discussion and the future of Computer Science in the state of Texas with all who are concerned. Please contact me, Suzanne Watson, Director of Technology Applications, by phone at 512-463-2585 or by email at suzanne.watson@tea.state.tx.us.

Thanks, Suzanne, for sharing this information!

var addthis_pub=”mguhlin”;

Subscribe to Around the Corner-MGuhlin.org

Be sure to visit the ShareMore! Wiki.