Harnessing the Power of Parent Engagement to Expand Computer Science Opportunities for Students in California

• In Event: Homes and Schools: Building Positive Relationships

Abstract

Parents play an integral role in children’s educational journeys, but there is limited research on parents’ advocacy efforts in CS education. With the wealth of knowledge parents bring to education spaces, parent advocacy can influence equitable and accessible CS learning for underrepresented students. This paper describes a collaboration with California parents - whose public schools enroll most students of color - to create a parent advocacy toolkit based on their perspectives about CS, education, and students’ rights to an equitable schooling experience. Parents’ views are shared on how to educate and inspire other families about the value of justice-centered computing education, and how to put pressure on school systems to offer equitable CS education.

Authors

• Paula Nazario, University of California - Los Angeles

• Jean J. Ryoo, University of California - Los Angeles

• Julie Flapan, University of California - Los Angeles