During the first half of 2023, the ECEP Alliance awarded 5 states with funds to carry out state-level broadening participation in computing (BPC) initiatives, referred to as co-sponsorships. Maryland, Georgia, Utah, Ohio, and North Carolina received co-sponsorships for projects aimed at expanding inclusion in K-12 computer science.

The co-sponsorships – which provide up to $15,000 for each project – are made possible by ECEP Alliance funding from the National Science Foundation and Google.org. Co-sponsorships are available to member states through a competitive application process on a quarterly basis. 

This year’s co-sponsored projects include the following initiatives:

• Maryland: Build and implement a ‘train the trainer’ model to scale BPC activities;

• Georgia: Host a virtual summit focused on rural communities and students;

• Utah: Develop a public-access computer science data dashboard to include student enrollment in CS courses, CS courses offered, and educator licensures and certifications;

• Ohio: Organize a BPC-focused computer education summit for teachers;  

• North Carolina: Conduct a landscape report that identifies all current state-level BPC initiatives and gaps in CS education.

The ECEP Alliance is comprised of 29 states and the territory of Puerto Rico. Since its inception in 2012, it has issued nearly $700,000 via its co-sponsorship program. 

In speaking about their plans to use the co-sponsorship funds to host a state summit, Aliyah Rogers shares “I am super excited to host this amazing opportunity to bring together Ohio’s educators, leaders, and stakeholders. Our mission is to ensure access to engagements that broaden participation and computing to continue support of CS for all students.” 

For more information about the ECEP Alliance co-sponsorships, please contact Andrea Wilson-Vazquez.