Coding as Another Language (K-2) Grant

The CS4RI Coding As Another Language (CAL) Grant is being implemented with thirteen RI elementary schools across ten different school districts. The grant is measuring the impact of the CAL curriculum and ScratchJr with Kindergarten, First, and Second grade students. The program is funded  by a two year $400,000 US Dept. of Ed research grant with Tufts’ DevTech Research Group. Districts and schools received funding for technology to implement the program. Funds are also used for educators’ professional development.   

CAL Grant Info

Part of the grant is to build sustainability for schools to continue the program after the grant period ends. Towards this end, eleven educators have been identified as Tech Leaders for their school(s). These educators have received scholarships and are participating in Tufts’ Early Childhood Technology Graduate Certificate program. The Tech Leaders will deliver the professional development for cohort 2 teachers Summer, 2022.

Twenty-nine classrooms across Kindergarten, First and Second grade will receive the Coding as Another Language curriculum this year, and thirty-five K, 1 and 2 classrooms will participate in the curriculum next year. During the first year, six schools will implement the Coding As Another Language curriculum. The remaining seven schools will act as the control group for the research. These cohort 2 schools will implement the curriculum in year two of the grant. Research will measure computational thinking and coding skills of students as well as the impact on teachers and the sustainability of implementation.

We look forward to bringing computer science to our youngest Rhode Island students!

CAL Grant Recipients

  • Barrington Public Schools:  

    • Nayatt Elementary

    • Primrose Hill Elementary

    • Sowams Elementary

  • Central Falls: Veterans Memorial

  • Exeter - West Greenwich:  Wawaloam Elementary

  • Hope Academy Charter (Providence)

  • Johnston: Thornton Elementary

  • North Kingstown:  Forest Park Elementary

  • North Providence:  McGuire Elementary 

  • Portsmouth:  Melville elementary

  • Scituate Public Schools:  

    • Clayville Elementary

    • North Scituate Elementary

  • Tiverton:  Pocassett Elementary

RI CAL Grant Recipients by District
 
CAL Grant Curriculum - ScratchJr
Computer Science - It’s more than coding