Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) knowledge, reasoning, and skills are essential both to prepare students for personal and civic efficacy in the twenty-first century and to prepare and inspire a much larger and more diverse number of students to pursue the innovative and creative careers of the future. In Massachusetts, DLCS instruction includes the areas of computing and society, digital tools and collaboration, computing systems, and computational thinking.
Although Digital Literacy, Information Technology and Computer Science are distinctive in nature, it is essential to take an inclusive approach to teaching and preparing our students for today's modern society. The standards represent the core elements of digital literacy and computer science, not the totality of each.
Please see the Digital Literacy and Computer Science Coursetaking Report to view the number or percentage of students completing at least one Digital Literacy or Computer Science course in grades K–12 as reported by each district.
2016 DLCS Curriculum Framework
DLCS to CSTA Standards Crosswalk
CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards. (2011)
Computing at School. (n.d.). Retrieved June 2013
Dorling, Mark. (2013). CAS Computing Progressions Pathways (Y1) to KS3 (Y9) by topic
International Society for Technology in Education Student Standards. (2007)
Massachusetts K-12 Computer Science Curriculum Guide. EDC, 2017
Mass.Gov Parents and Youth. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2016
Standards for the 21st Century Learner. (2007)
2022 Massachusetts Curriculum Guide — updated 11/23/2022
DLCS District Implementation Process
DLCS in Mathematics
DLCS in Science
Massachusetts K-12 Computer Science Curriculum Guide (2017)
Commonwealth Virtual Schools (CMVS)
Instructional Materials and Professional Development
Quick Reference Guide: Digital Literacy and Computer Science in Kindergarten to Grade 2
Quick Reference Guide: Digital Literacy and Computer Science in Grades 3 to 5
Quick Reference Guide: Digital Literacy and Computer Science in Grades 6 to 8
Quick Reference Guide: Digital Literacy and Computer Science in Grades 9 to 12
Interested in getting the 5–12 DLCS Teacher License?
The Digital Literacy and Computer Science Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) is now available as of September 2021. Please note that there is a delay in score reporting when a new test is first released. The previously-used competency review process is no longer available for educators seeking licensure. Information about what is on the test can be found on the Pearson MTEL webpage. Candidates can register for the test on the Evaluation Systems Group (ES) of Pearson website.
Please use the Licensure Requirements Tool which identifies the requirements for a particular license.
Overview of 2016 DLCS Standards
Implementation and Licensure (2017)
11/14/2017 MA STEM Summit
This presentation is designed to provide an overview of the 2016 DLCS Framework implementation and licensure.
CSforMA
MassCUE
Methods for Integrated Computing
General PD Planning Guidance
Providers of AP CSP Curricula and Pedagogical Support
AP CSP PD Providers
Exploring Computer Science PD Providers
DLCS Curriculum Guide for Massachusetts Districts
Broadening Participation of Elementary Students and Teachers in Computer Science
Broadening Participation of Elementary Students and Teachers in Computer Science was an NSF project that partnered ESE, the Education Development Center (EDC) and school districts around the state. This partnership developed and piloted instructional curriculum modules to facilitate implementation of the computational thinking strand of the 2016 Digital Literacy and Computer Science standards in grades 1–6.
The project website includes a computational thinking handbook, integrated modules that include graphic resources, student pages, and a teacher's guide, and recorded computational thinking webinars.
CSTeacherTips
CSUnplugged
CSEdWeek
Instructional Resources
Exploring Computer Science Resources
Massachusetts Computer Using Educators (MassCUE)
Computer Science for ALL Students, (CSforALL)
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT)
Massachusetts Educational Technology Administrators Association (METAA)
Massachusetts Personalized Learning Edtech (MAPLE) Consortium
Massachusetts Technology Education/Engineering Collaborative (MassTec)
Access to PK-12 Computer Science Courses in Massachusetts, 2016-2017
Community College Pathway to IT and Computing Careers, NCWIT,2018
Degrees of Urgency, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, 2014
High Paying Degrees in Computer Technology, Computer Science Online, 2017
Military Pathways to IT and Computing Careers, NCWIT,2018
Students on STEM, Change the Equation, 2016
Technology Jobs in Massachusetts: The Demand for a Massachusetts Technology Workforce, Burning Glass and Achieve, 2017
Technology Talent Initiative Workforce Plan, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, 2014
The Degree Gap, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, 2016
Trends in The State of Computer Science in U.S. K-12 Schools, Gallup and Google, 2016
University Pathway to IT and Computing Careers, NCWIT,2018
Last Updated: November 25, 2022
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