Do Computer Science Exposure Activities Increase Pursuit of Computer Science Higher Education for Underrepresented Groups?

The Kapor Center for Social Impact Tech Inclusion Research Team presented the findings of a study on the longitudinal results of computer science exposure activities during SMASH in a poster session at the Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE) 2017 Conference held in Seattle, Washington, March 8-11, 2017. Results from the study include: (1) a statistically significant increase …

Computer Science in California’s Schools: 2016 AP CS Results and Implications

The Kapor Center for Social Impact and the Alliance for California Computing Education for Students and Schools (ACCESS) released a policy brief detailing disparities in Advanced Placement Computer Science A test taking in California and the nation. Key findings of the policy brief include: Only 0.5% of the 1.9 million public HS students in CA took AP Computer Science in …

Broadening Participation in Computer Science: Existing Out-of-School Initiatives and a Case Study

This article, which appeared in the November issue of the Association for Computer Machinery (ACM) publication Inroads, outlines the types of interventions designed to increase equity in Computer Science (CS). SMASH was highlighted as a case study within the CS equity landscape and its culturally relevant programming and pedagogies summarized. View Report

Enhancing Participation in Computer Science among Girls of Color: An Examination of a Preparatory AP Computer Science Intervention

The Kapor Center for Social Impact research team produced a chapter of an IGI Global book slated for publication in 2017: “Moving Students of Color from Consumers to Producers of Technology.” The chapter examines the impact of one 5-week summer computer science program on girls’ of color aspirations and attitudes towards computer science. A second study included in the chapter …

Engaging Underrepresented Students in Computer Science

“LPFI, the Kapor Center for Social Impact, and colleagues from UC Berkeley and El Camino College presented strategies for engaging underrepresented students of color in Computer Science at the Tapia 2016 Diversity in Computing Conference in Austin, Texas. Strategies discussed included: culturally relevant and responsive teaching methods; creating inclusive and affirming learning environments; encouraging students to choose coding projects which …

Examining the Impact of a Culturally Responsive Out-of-School Computer Science Intervention for Underrepresented High School Students

“This study, funded generously by the National Science Foundation, outlines the impact of short-term, culturally responsive computer science program for underrepresented youth of color. Chief among its findings are that a culturally responsive pedagogical framework in computer science shows promise in increasing access, knowledge, attitudes, and aspirations for underrepresented youth of color.” View Presentation

Peer Network Effects and Persistence in Pursuit of STEM Higher Education for Underrepresented Groups

Presented at the 2015 National Symposium on Student Retention (November 4, 2015), this poster illuminates the role that gender and ethnic/racial identities play in the formation of peer networks in STEM for underrepresented students of color, with a special investigation of Computer Science majors. Among its findings: ethnic/racial identities, however not gender identities, are proposed as moderators of the attainment …

Computer Science Access for Students of Color: Disparities and Opportunities

“This presentation, given to the 2015 California Department of Education STEM Symposium in San Diego, CA (October 29, 2015), explored disparities in Computer Science course access in California high schools with highest proportions of: underrepresented students of color, low-income students, and English language learners. These findings, part of the Path Not Found report released earlier in 2015, were accompanied by …

Path Not Found: Disparities in Access to Computer Science Courses in California High Schools – CSTA Golden Gate Chapter presentation

The findings of the “Path Not Found:Disparities in Access to Computer Science Courses in California High Schools” were presented and discussed at the Computer Science Teachers Association Golden Gate chapter meeting (June 28, 2015). The research illuminated the disparities in access to any computer science courses for underrepresented students of color, low income students and English language learners in California …

Engaging Underrepresented Youth in Computer Science

Researchers, staff and computer science instructors from Level Playing Field Institute, the Kapor Center for Social Impact and the Computer Science Division of the University of California, Berkeley held a panel discussion on increasing access to computer science for underrepresented girls and youth of color at the annual conference of the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) in Grapevine, Texas (July …