The Governing Board of the Benicia Unified School District will consider the approval of a computer science education program agreement at Thursday’s meeting.

Code.org, a Seattle-based nonprofit organization that encourages computer science education for K-12 students, has entered an agreement with several school districts nationwide to support expanding access to computer science programs to students. Under the agreement, Benicia Unified would have access to Code.org’s curriculum and updates as well as professional development and program support.

The program would offer a variety of courses for K-12 students. Elementary schoolers would learn computer science fundamentals, middle schoolers would be able to take computer science in algebra and general science classes, and high schoolers would be offered introductory computer science and computer science principles.

To participate in the program, the district would have to submit an application form, which can be found at code.org/educate/districts. The application would evaluate the district for participation eligibility and serve as a needs assessment.

The program would also determine which teachers are eligible to participate. The agreement notes that code.org has the right to deny teachers from participation. For example, if a teacher who has never taught science and will not be teaching science courses in the coming year, his or her application will not be accepted. A teacher’s hourly stipend rate for participating is $24.37.
However, educators will only receive stipends for the hours they participate in professional development. The hours of professional development for eligible teachers are three phases for 55 hours for computer science in algebra and science, including 35 hours in person and 20 online. For introductory computer science and computer science principles teachers, the total number of hours is 94 for four phases, including 72 in person and 22 online.

For more information, visit code.org/educate/professional-development.

In other items, Chief Business Official Tim Rahill will deliver a report on the Measure S bond’s status as well as an update, and Assistant Superintendent Marie Morgan will give an update on the Local Control Accountability Plan, which was approved by the Solano County Office of Education in June.

The board will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21 in the Benicia Unified School District Board Room at the district building on 350 East K Street. There will be an earlier closed session at 6 p.m.

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