Beyond Enrollment: A New Era of Data-Driven Advocacy for Universal CS Education

The Expanding Computing Education Pathways (ECEP) Alliance has launched a new CS Education Dashboard, an interactive tool designed to bring transparency and universal access to the K-12 computer science (CS) landscape. Built through an intensive, iterative, and community-led process beginning in 2019, the dashboard reflects the real-world needs of state and local leaders who advocate for universal CS education daily. By utilizing the CAPE (Capacity, Access, Participation, and Experience) Framework (Fletcher & Warner, 2021), the platform goes beyond simple enrollment numbers to help users identify systemic gaps and develop data-driven strategies for broadening participation in computing across the country.  

What distinguishes this dashboard from other CS data tools is its flexibility and focus on local empowerment. Recognizing that the definition of "Computer Science" can vary significantly across state lines, the dashboard allows users to define CS parameters according to their local needs, ensuring the data are always contextually relevant. Furthermore, the dashboard introduces granular district-level reporting tools, providing a focus on actionable local insights in addition to high-level state averages. This allows local leaders to visualize their unique challenges and advocate for the resources necessary to ensure every student has access to high-quality CS instruction.

Initially developed with a core group of ECEP states, the dashboard is now open to ALL U.S. states and territories. States interested in being included in the dashboard or seeking guidance on data integration are encouraged to reach out. To request that your state's data be included in the dashboard, please email the ECEP team at ecepalliance@gmail.com.

For states looking to build their capacity to work with state CS data, ECEP has also released the Common Metrics Project (CMP) Toolkit. This resource is designed for states that want to further develop their data capacity, offering a roadmap for establishing shared measurement systems that align with the national ECEP dashboard. 

Explore the ECEP dashboard.

For states ready to deepen their data capacity, explore the CMP Toolkit.