Redesigning the ECEP Website for Ease of Use and Access to Resources

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    As computer science education advocates across the country are launching a new school year, the ECEP Alliance is excited to launch a new and improved website. The ECEP website has gone through a structural refresh designed to curate and highlight the resources that Alliance members have developed to advance their broadening participation in computing goals. The redesign provides quick access to state team members, toolkits, CS data, and our publications. The resources page includes important information such as: (1) ECEP models for change (the CAPE model, how to change a state model); (2) ECEP toolkits (e.g., how to write a landscape report); (3) examples of state resources, policies, and practices (e.g., state strategic plans, landscape reports, summit models); (4) ECEP coaching services; (5) and policy briefs.

    The other new addition to the website is the link to state data dashboards. ECEP leads the nation in democratizing data regarding access to and participation in CS education. The website links to examples of how 13 ECEP states are making CS data available and actionable. There is also a page dedicated to national CS education data resources to help provide quick access to data about the status of CS education in each state. In addition, ECEP-related publications and presentations are referenced and linked on the website, making it easier than ever to gather resources on how to broaden participation in K-14 computer science education.

    ECEP co-principal investigator Dr. Anne Leftwich reflected on the importance of the new site: “We needed a website that better reflected the amazing depth of the work being accomplished by ECEP’s state teams, as well as the Alliance as a whole. The site needs to be as relevant to leaders from local and state education agencies as it is for educational researchers and policy makers. I’m always saying that ECEP and state teams need to tell their own story. This site helps us all tell the story of how to broaden participation in computing and make the case for why this work is important.” 

    The site will continue to grow with ECEP as we launch new tools and resources, and as state teams test new state strategies. Bookmark the site and follow ECEP on Twitter @ECEP_CS for more updates on our site and our broadening participation in computing strategies.