Scratch Encore
Diana M. Franklin, David Weintrop, Jennifer L. Palmer, Merijke Coenraad, Melissa Cobian, Kristan Beck, Andrew M. Rasmussen, Sue Krause, Max White, Marco Anaya, Zachary Crenshaw · 2020
While several introductory computer science curricula exist for children in K-8, there are few options that go beyond sequence, loops, and basic conditionals. The goal of this project is to not only fill this gap with a high-quality curriculum supported by complete instructional materials, but to also do so with an equity-balanced curriculum. That is, a curriculum that values advancing equity equally with student learning outcomes. In this paper, we introduce barriers to equity in public school classrooms, pedagogical approaches to culturally-relevant curricula, and how our Scratch Encore curriculum is designed to support equity-balanced learning. Finally, we present results of our pilot year, including early evidence of students taking advantage of the culturally-relevant design aspects.