Computer science education a ‘growing movement’ at Los Angeles Unified

Computer science education has been a “steadily growing movement” across the state of California, Sophia Mendoza tells EdScoop TV, and there’s no better exemplar for that movement than the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The nation’s second-largest school system — where Mendoza serves as director of the instructional technology initiative — has ramped up investment in and momentum around computer science this school year, Mendoza says.

All of this has been made possible, she says, because Los Angeles Unified has fostered partnerships in its community — like the one it has with the University of California, Los Angeles — and with groups that share similar interests and goals — such as the nonprofit Code.org. “Leverage your partnerships,” Mendoza says, advising other district technology leaders. “The work in computer science education, or the work in instructional technology initiatives, cannot be done alone. We cannot do this any longer in siloes.”

Also on Mendoza’s radar this year is the conversation around digital citizenship; she wants it to be less punitive and more proactive about being responsible online.

Learn more about what Los Angeles Unified School District is doing around computer science education, digital citizenship and other initiatives:

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