Evaluating and Selecting CS Curricula: How to Make Informed, Equitable Decisions

Computer science educators face an overwhelming abundance of curricular resources, leading to decision paralysis or arbitrary choices that may not effectively serve students. This presentation addresses the challenge of resource overload by providing practical guidance for evaluating curricula based on their alignment with teaching goals, ability to foster student engagement, suitability for target audiences, and compatibility with the broader school ecosystem. The framework focuses on a systematic evaluation process that examines content relevance factors such as difficulty and standards alignment, contextual relevance including instructional methods and activities, and feasibility considerations like device compatibility, lesson duration, and preparation time requirements.

The presentation introduces the Middle School CS Curriculum Crosswalk, a free online tool that provides detailed comparative information on eight middle school computer science curricular options. By approaching curriculum selection with a holistic view of the school's CS ecosystem, educators can better meet student needs and administrative requirements while increasing access to high-quality computer science instruction. The session emphasizes that curriculum selection should be viewed as an ongoing process, encouraging educators to be selective, adapt resources to their specific contexts, and focus on making informed, evidence-based decisions that support equitable computer science education.