Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS)

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.

DLCS Learning Standards

DLCS Instructional Resources

• DLCS 5–12 License

• Professional Development Resources

• Curriculum Planning Tools

  Digital Literacy and Computer Science Guide for Massachusetts Districts — Posted 9/2/2020	This guide provides overviews of curricula that schools can use to engage students in learning of digital literacy and computer science (DLCS) concepts and skills that reflect the standards of the 2016 Massachusetts DLCS Framework. Each curriculum overview describes topical alignment and key instructional features. Additional considerations for each grade span, including potential curriculum pairings to comprehensively address the DLCS standards, are included.
  Review Rubrics: DLCS in Mathematics DLCS in Science	Piloting new curriculum? DESE and EDC have developed rubrics to help educators determine the quality, rigor, and alignment of lessons and units to the 2016 MA DLCS Curriculum Framework.
  Massachusetts K-12 Computer Science Curriculum Guide (2017)	This guide helps school districts choose the computer science (CS) curricula that best suit their communities' needs. The guide was developed as part of an initiative for school districts to accelerate the creation of classroom opportunities for learning CS that are standards based, high quality, career relevant, and accessible to all students at all grade levels.
  Commonwealth Virtual Schools (CMVS)	Students may take courses offered by a CMVS if the district and the CMVS have entered into an agreement to provide such courses. As for any coursework outside of school, parents/guardians should know in advance how the virtual course will be treated in terms of grades, course credit, and grade point average (GPA). Two virtual schools currently operate in Massachusetts: Greenfield Commonwealth Virtual School (GCVS) and TEC Connections Academy Commonwealth Virtual School (TECCA).
  Instructional Materials and Professional Development	Expanding access to high-quality, standards-aligned curricular materials can significantly improve student outcomes, especially when teachers have the professional learning opportunities they need to make the most of those materials. The Center for Instructional Support at DESE is committed to ensuring that all students in Massachusetts enjoy the many benefits of a strong curriculum.
  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

  
  

• Classroom Resources

• DLCS Networks and Associations

• DLCS Data: Participation and Job Market

DLCS Implementation Support

DLCS Ambassadors — A cadre of educators, our "DLCS Ambassadors" are available to assist schools and districts across the state become familiar with the Digital Literacy and Computer Science Framework and curricular units that integrate computation thinking standards in Elementary grades 1-6. Districts and event organizers can request an Ambassador by emailing STEMwithCT@gmail.com

DLCS Contact

Last Updated: January 13, 2021