Lincoln Public Schools has been honored as the national “Champion for Computer Science” school district for 2018.

Background

Lincoln Public Schools has been named the national “Champion for Computer Science” school district for 2018 by the Computer Science Teachers Association and Code.org. They cited efforts by LPS to make computer science education accessible for all students. Awards were given in the categories of students, teachers, schools and school districts. LPS Curriculum Specialist for Computer Science Kent Steen accepted the award on behalf of the school district during a ceremony in Seattle on Dec. 3 that featured Melinda Gates. The event kicked off national Computer Science Education Week. It’s the second year for the award. Last year’s winner was the San Francisco United School District.

Explanation

The Computer Science Teachers Association and Code.org named Lincoln Public Schools the national “Champion for Computer Science” for 2018. They cited efforts by LPS to make computer science accessible for all students, including its goal of “50/50 by 2020,” meaning equal representation of female and male students in computer science courses. LPS now offers computer science courses in all 39 elementary schools, eight of 12 middle schools and all six high schools.

Lincoln Public Schools Curriculum Specialist for Computer Science Kent Steen said the following about this honor:

“To say that I am proud is an understatement. This award is a reflection of the past five years of hard work, leadership, willingness to learn and change, and passion for bringing computer science to all LPS students.”

Lincoln Public Schools Associate Superintendent for Instruction Matt Larson had this to say about the award:

“This is a tremendous honor for Lincoln Public Schools, not only for Kent Steen, but for all our computer science teachers from kindergarten through 12th grade, staff, community partners and especially our students who have worked so hard to make this significant honor possible. Our staff and students continue to innovate and demonstrate the curiosity and dedication that make this school district special.”

Proposal

That the Lincoln Board of Education adopt the following resolution:  

WHEREAS, Lincoln Public Schools has been chosen as the national 2018 “Champion for Computer Science” school district; and

WHEREAS, Lincoln Public Schools was selected for this honor because of its commitment to making computer science accessible to all students; and

WHEREAS, nothing demonstrates this commitment more than the school district’s goal of equal representation of female and male students in computer science courses; and

WHEREAS, Lincoln Public Schools now offers computer science courses in all 39 elementary schools, eight of 12 middle schools and all six high schools; and

WHEREAS, this honor would not be possible without the hard work, innovation and curiosity of teachers, staff, community partners and students.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education

does hereby congratulate Lincoln Public Schools for being named the national “Champion for Computer Science” school district for 2018.

Updated April 1, 2019