Computer Science & Technology Act Guidance (Updated August 2024)

• Nebraska Computer Science and Technology Content Standards
• Existing courses and associated standards can be found within the Communication and Information Systems (CIS) Programs of Study.
• For teachers to be considered appropriately endorsed for their assignments, they must teach the grade levels and subjects indicated on their certificate. All approvable endorsements by course can be found within the Nebraska Course Codes and Clearing Endorsements.

• A single course or multiple courses may be utilized to meet the Computer Science and Technology Education Act graduation requirement.
  • Content must be aligned to the Computer Science and Technology Content Standards.
  • If a district chooses to cover the required elements across multiple courses, all students must earn credit for each of those courses in order to meet the graduation requirement.
  • Standards-related content taught during non-credit advisory or homeroom classes may not apply to the graduation requirement.
  • A new course titled “Introduction to Computer Science and Technology” (course code: 270415) which aligns with the Computer Science and Technology standards will be available beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. Appropriate endorsements include BMIT (0304), IT Supplemental (2701), and Math (1100)
• Middle school courses may count towards the high school graduation requirement if conditions are met.
  • 92 NAC Rule 10 (section 003.05B) states that school systems may adopt a policy allowing high school credit to be awarded to students enrolled in a middle grades course if the course content and requirements are equivalent to a course offered in that school system’s high school.
• Courses may be taught virtually to meet the graduation requirement.
  • 92 NAC Rule 10 (section 004.04D) provides information on multi-site and distance learning options for providing high school courses, including synchronous and asynchronous course options.

Nebraska Computer Science and Technology Strategic Direction:

• 2023-2028 Strategic Direction and Action Plan

General Computer Science Resources:

• K-12 Technology Scope and Sequence – The Nebraska K-12 Technology Scope and Sequence was developed to provide school districts with a guide for when to teach technology knowledge and skills included within an instructional program. This document is broken up into different areas to make sure students leave high school with basic technology knowledge and skills. These standards do not replace the 7-12 grade technology standards found in the Communication and Information Systems courses.
• Nebraska Microsoft IT Initiative – Through the Nebraska Microsoft IT Initiative, teachers and students will receive software training, online resources, and earn Microsoft Office Specialist, Microsoft Technology Associate, and/or Microsoft Certified Educator certifications.
• Common Sense Media – Digital Citizenship and Common Sense Media – AI Literacy
• Code.org – Free K-12 computer science curriculum
• CodeHS – Over 100 free middle and high school computer science courses
• Computer Science Resources by grade band level

Resources aligned to the new Computer Science and Technology content standards:

• The NDE has created a semester-long, standards-aligned Canvas course.
  • Click here for the link to NDE’s Canvas Commons
    • You may import this course from NDE’s Canvas Commons to your own Canvas instance, in part or in whole.
  • Helpful information:
    • YouTube video on course setup
    • PDF instructions for course setup
• CodeHS has created both semester and year-long courses on its platform that are aligned to the new standards. CodeHS has both paid and free versions.
  • CodeHS courses aligned to Nebraska’s Computer Science and Technology Content Standards
  • Information on CodeHS Pro licenses