Creating Inclusive Computing Pathways at Talladega County Schools

• In Event: Creating Inclusive Computing Pathways at Five Unique School Districts: Understanding and Balancing Needs Across Districts

Abstract

Talladega County Schools, AL
A member of the League of Innovative Schools, Talladega County Schools is a 7,500-student district in rural Alabama. In total, the district is comprised of seventeen schools. Per the public NCES database, the district serves a community of 69% white, 28% Black, and 1% Latinx students. As of 2018, 98.2% of students only speak English and 1.8% of students identified as ELL speakers. Households in the district with broadband internet access make up 67% and families that have incomes below the poverty level make up 24% of total households. Talladega is known for its leadership and accomplishments in STE(A)M education. Talladega has eleven STEM-certified schools and 48% of all educators participating in STEAM leadership professional learning. (STEAM is an acronym that adds Arts to STEM: Science Technology Engineer Arts and Math.) Talladega decided to join the Inclusive CT Pathways RPP with a focus on including two specific populations: Offering CS and CT to students from low socio-economic households as well as female students. At the time of applying to the RPP, 16% of the district’s more affluent students were enrolled in computer science or engineering courses, while only 4% of students in poverty were enrolled. In the same courses, only 30% were female while according to the district, the overall percentage of female students is 48.3%.

Brooke Morgan, Talladega County Schools, AL
Dr. Morgan serves as Coordinator of Innovative Learning and Elementary Education for Talladega County Schools. Dr. Morgan has over 22 years of experience with 12 of those years being in school administration and 5 in district administration. She is a graduate of Auburn University and holds post-secondary degrees from Jacksonville State and Samford University. She is the recipient of the Marbury Technology Innovation Administrator Award and the Outstanding Curriculum Leader Award. Dr. Morgan serves as the Project Lead for the Computational Thinking Pathways Collaborative (NSF), and CT/NGSS (Carnegie Foundation).

Author

• Brooke Morgan