A landscape report is an aerial picture of what a state looks like in terms of K-12 computer science education. ECEP recommends that states conduct a landscape report as an initial step in the five-step state change model. Landscape reports accomplish a number of vital strategic tasks in a state initiating state change. When state leadership teams form they are usually confronted with the question ‘what’s next?’ and often with a limited toolbox of resources. By conducting landscape surveys states gain a sense of computer science education gaps, opportunities and existing state education and industry efforts that can support broadening participation initiatives.
Landscape reports answer questions like:
- What CS offerings are currently available to K-12 students?
- Are those offerings in-school courses or after school activities?
- What organizations and/or committees are working toward CS for All?
- Is there adequate CS teacher certification in the state?
- What kind of teacher professional development is available?
- How has your state Department of Education helped move CS Ed forward?
- What is happening in secondary education?
- What major businesses/industries in the state are reporting job gaps?
- What would they require of an incoming graduate?
- Do they offer an intern program?
- What kind of CS surveying is already being done?
- Are there partnerships that already exist?
- What can you learn for other states?
When states collect this information, they can better leverage their allies, identify gaps and move toward state-level CS education reform.
Examples of landscape reports in our ECEP Alliance:
- California: Path Not Found: Disparities in Access to Computer Science Courses in California High Schools
- Connecticut: CS for CT: Examining the Landscape of Computer Science in Connecticut
- Georgia: Computer Science: A Landscape Picture and State Plan for Georgia
- Hawaii: Catching Up to Move Forward: A Computer Science Education Landscape Report of Hawai‘i Public Schools, 2017–2020
- Indiana: Status of K-12 Computer Science Education in Indiana
- Maryland: CE21 – Maryland: The State of Computer Science Education in Maryland High Schools
- Massachusetts: Technology Talent Initiative Workforce Plan
- Minnesota: Computer Science Briefs
- New Hampshire: NH Computing Education Landscape Report Final
- Nevada: Nevada Department of Education Status Report: Computer Science Education
- South Carolina: CS for SC: A Landscape Report of K-12 Computer Science in South Carolina
- Texas: Building the Texas Computer Science Pipeline
- Texas: CS Task Force Report 2018