ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center (MVESC) was recently awarded the Teach Computer Science (CS) Grant. Only 17 education institutions statewide received this grant award. Lt. Governor Jon Husted made the announcement January 16, 2024. He stated, “To help meet the demand for more computer science teachers, we are removing barriers by covering the costs of coursework, materials, and exams for teachers who want to teach computer science in Ohio’s K-12 classrooms so they can better educate Ohio’s future workforce.”
Under the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s Workforce Development Initiative, the Teach CS Grant Program, with an allocation of $8 million, aims to increase the number of existing teachers who qualify to teach computer science. This can be achieved through supplemental licensure, university endorsement programs, or alternative resident educator licenses. “Computer Science has become an essential skill in society, resulting in increased demand for educators qualified to teach this area,” said Lori Snyder-Lowe, Superintendent MVESC. “With the Teach CS Grant, we can assist our member districts in providing funding opportunities and programs that support the teachers and students in our region,” she added.
Leslie Charles, Digital Integration Coordinate for the MVESC, will be spearheading this work. “The integration of technology is essential for educators to be efficient, effective, and engaging,” Charles said. “In this era, educating students in a technology-infused environment is crucial. With this grant, we will be providing teachers with the tools and necessary credentials to prepare our students for a technology-infused career,” she said.
The grant award will be used to develop and implement practice courses for teachers that have taken the computer science coursework and need a refresher before taking the endorsement exam. It will also be used to create and provide professional development for teachers interested in pursuing a computer science endorsement. The MVESC will begin leading this work at the beginning of March.