Arkansas Tech University has been selected through a competitive request for proposals process to host the 2021 Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Educator Academy (ACSCEA).
The program, which is overseen by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) Office of Computer Science, will provide up to 100 Arkansas residents who are employed by an Arkansas public school district or intend to teach within an Arkansas public school district with tuition-free access to six credit hours of graduate study.
The ACSCEA application is available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/CSforARAcademyApp. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on May 30, 2021.
According to information provided by ADE, program completers will learn basic computer science, receive preparation for passing the Computer Science Content Knowledge Praxis exam, gain approval to teach high school computer science courses, earn postsecondary credits for academy completion and expand skills in specialized areas aligned to state-adopted programs of study.
Grant funds from ADE will cover the costs of enrollment and tuition for all participants.
ACSCEA 2021 is scheduled for June 14-18 and June 21-25 on the ATU campus in Russellville. Those who successfully complete all ADE and ATU requirements during the academy will receive credit for two ATU graduate-level courses: Introduction to Information Technology and Systems (INFT 5403) and Emerging Trends (INFT 6903). Participants will be required to complete a total of three weeks (90 hours) of training and will have multiple options to choose from for the final week, which will be provided by the ADE Office of Computer Science during July.
The two Arkansas Tech classes (INFT 5403 and INFT 6903) are aligned to courses within the ATU Master of Science degree in information technology. The degree is offered by the ATU College of Engineering and Applied Sciences under the auspices of the ATU Department of Computer and Information Science.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to welcome this program to Arkansas Tech University during summer 2021,” said Sarah Burnett, who serves as STEM project coordinator within the ATU Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and will be the project coordinator for ACSCEA 2021. “ATU has the curriculum, faculty and facilities necessary to provide those who wish to enhance their knowledge of computer science education with an excellent experience.”
In addition to the six hours of graduate study, ACSCEA 2021 completers with an Arkansas educator’s license will be awarded a 5016 computer science approval code.
Individuals using this training to meet requirements for technical permits will be required to complete all other requirements before a 5013 or 5014 computer science technical permit may be awarded. Additional information on the Arkansas Computer Science Approval Code and Technical Permits can be found under the “Licensure Requirements of the ADE Approved Computer Science Courses” section of the ADE Computer Science Fact Sheet at http://csforar.info/Licensure.
In accordance with provisions in the ADE grant, candidate selection may be prioritized based on regional needs and for districts that are classified as high poverty.
Please contact CSforAR@ade.arkansas.gov for more information.
