YSU to Provide Computer Science Training for Teachers

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Youngstown State University is among 17 education institutions in the state that will receive funding to provide K-12 educators with computer science training.

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced that up to 1,100 K-12 educators in the state will receive the training through Teach CS Grants. 

Of those 1,100, up to 650 will become newly qualified to teach computer science, and the remainder will pursue continuing education opportunities.

YSU will receive $340,000 as part of the Teach CS Grant Program. A total of $6 million will be awarded to 17 education institutions across the state to cover the costs of this professional development.

Awardees include colleges and universities and educational service centers.

“The demand for tech skills is increasing daily, and more students are seeking computer science classes to prepare them for the future,” Husted said in a news release. “However, we can’t offer more computer science classes without preparing a larger pool of qualified teachers who can help them earn these in-demand skills.”

To help meet the demand for more computer science teachers, the grants will cover the costs of coursework, materials and exams for teachers who want to teach computer science in K-12 classrooms in Ohio, he said.

To participate, school districts must connect with an awarded Ohio college, university or educational service center to receive a Teach CS Grant. 

Educators can use funds to earn a computer science endorsement, supplemental license, alternative resident educator license or engage in continuing education, such as learning how to teach a LEGO-based robotics course or how to teach a course on app development.

Teach CS Grants can be received two ways:

• Directly through colleges by enrolling teachers in computer science coursework at colleges with awarded funding, which will in turn apply the Teach CS Grants as scholarships to defray expenses for coursework, materials and exams.

• In partnership with ESCs by requesting grant funding from awarded ESCs for eligible expenses, whether through programs outside of colleges, in partnership with colleges or in partnership with nonprofit and other organizations that teach computer science.

“We are excited to help Ohio teachers pursue their dreams while helping their students reach theirs,” said Mike Duffey, Ohio Department of Higher Education chancellor. “This is a step forward toward artificial intelligence, mobile app development, quantum computing, cybersecurity and much more.”

Stephen D. Dackin, director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, agreed.

“New opportunities for educators lead to new opportunities for students, and increasing the availability of computer science coursework through teacher training is a significant investment in Ohio’s children and their futures,” he said. “I encourage school districts to review the list of awarded institutions and connect with educational service centers, colleges and universities to access the funds available for this educator training and professional development.”

Teach CS Grants are a partnership between InnovateOhio, the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

More information about Teach CS Grants is available HERE.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include the amount YSU will receive.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.