Computer Science

Access the 2021 Montana Content Standards for Computer Science (Official PDF)

Access the 2021 Montana Content Standards for Computer Science (Excel)

Access the 2021 Montana Content Standards for Computer Science (PDF)

New! Computer Science Montana Curriculum Guide 2021

This Guide is designed to provide resources and guidance to schools, districts, curriculum consortia and others at multiple access points and stages of curriculum development. It allows educators to find pertinent information for a wide range of topics that inform the curriculum development process--from the legal foundations in Montana law and rules to classroom level instructional strategies and assessment. Use the topic outline to access information across the curriculum development spectrum. This is a guide. It is not exhaustive in its depth or in the number of resources, but it is specifically designed for Montana educators to look with intention and clear guidance at improving the process of curriculum development in Montana schools.

Webinar: New Standards for 2021: Overview and Planning for Implementation (February 8, 2021)

• View Slides
• View Recording (48:14)

Professional development, and resources will be added throughout 2021

Tech Directors:  To access a machine readable version of the official Montana Content Standards for Computer Science, please visit the IMS Global CASE Network site. Create a free login, select Montana Office of Public Instruction, and view or download the standards. The CASE version of the standards can be uploaded into student information systems, curriculum mapping programs and a variety of other uses. Learn more about the CASE Network | CASE Network FAQ

Montana Resources

• Coding Guidance. Questions? Contact Eric Swenson

School challenges

• Codelicious Free Teacher and Administrator Resources

• Amazon Cyber Robotics Challenge

• Cyberstart America- HS Challenge

Organizations

• AVID Open Access

• Code.org

• CSTA

• International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)

• Northwest Council for Computer Education (NCCE)

• Montana Council for Computers and Technology in Education (MCCE)

• CS for All SCRIPT - Strategic Planning Tool for School Districts -  a framework to guide teams of district administrators, school leaders, and educators through a series of collaborative visioning, self-assessment and goal-setting exercises to create or expand upon a computer science education implementation plan for their students.

Computer Science Professional Development for Montana Educators: 

• Computer Science Discoveries for 6-10 Educators from AVID and Code.org (Scholarships available!)
• Computer Science Principles for 9-12 Educators from AVID and Code.org (Scholarships available!)
• Additional workshops are hosted throughout the year and across the country. Learn more about upcoming workshops near you! 

Workshops above may be taken to earn the 80 hours of professional development required to apply for a Class 4, Computer Coding license. 

Scholarships are available for Montana teacher participation.

Additional Professional Learning Across the Country and Online:

An individual may teach Computer Science courses at the secondary level via:

• Class 1 or 2 license with either the Business Education 5-12 (Broadfield) [12S BUS], Computer & Information Sciences 5-12 [12S CS], or Computer Information Systems endorsement [12S CIS] (all courses*).

• Class 1 or 2 license with a Mathematics 5-12 endorsement [02S MAT] (only two courses*).

• Class 1 or 2 license, any endorsement, with the addition of a Class 4 Computer Coding endorsement [Class 1 or 2 license + 10S CC] (only computer coding/computer programming courses*).**

• Class 4 Career & Technical Education license with the Computer Information Systems endorsement [10S CIS] (all courses*).

*Please refer to the OPI Course Codes for a list of courses that can be taught by the various endorsements above. Computer Science related courses are listed under the 010-Computer and Information Sciences and 011-Communications and Audio/Visual Technology sections. (p. 16-18, Elementary and Middle School;  p. 43-48, High School)

**Learn more about the process of earning your Class 4 Computer Coding endorsement in this Class 4 Computer Coding Guidance Document. Possible Professional Development opportunities leading to your 80 hours required can be found on the Professional Learning Opportunities tab. 

Questions?

• Questions about licensure? Contact licensure. 
• Questions about the Class 4 Computer Coding endorsement[10S CC]? Check out the Class 4 Computer Coding Guidance Document or contact Eric Swenson.

Need more renewal units? Take a look at the Teacher Learning Hub for a variety of courses.

Check out these favorite courses:

• Introduction to Computer Science (2 RU)
• Diving Into Computer Science: Tools for Every Grade (4 RU)
• Digital Accessibility Fundamentals (1 RU)
• Digital Citizenship (2 RUs)
• Google Suite for Beginners (4 RUs)
• Tech-ify Your Classroom! The Basics of K-5 Tech Integration (4RUs)
• Tech Tools You Can Use Tomorrow (HS) (4RUs)
• UDL: Digital Tools and Digital Learning (2 RUs)