The application period for SEP Jr., renamed from the Elementary School Computer Science Pilot, for the 2016-17 school year is now closed.

Elementary School Computer Science Pilot

In September 2015, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Computer Science for All (CS4All), an initiative that will provide Computer Science education to every public school student over the next ten years. The Department of Education’s first initiative to reach elementary students is SEP Jr., the elementary school component of the Software Engineering Program (SEP). The goals of the program are to increase the number of elementary school students, particularly from traditionally underrepresented groups, who learn computer science, and to develop students’ computational thinking and problem solving skills in real-world contexts.

Why Computer Science in Elementary School?

All students should have the opportunity to learn Computer Science (CS). Early exposure to CS is critical to addressing equity in technology education. SEP Jr. will help schools to introduce technology as a tool for creative expression and problem solving through the use of tablets, computers and robots. SEP Jr. will introduce students to fundamental CS topics that will prepare them for the transition to more advanced computing in middle and high school while developing skills that are useful across subject areas, such as collaboration and persistence.

All New York City district and charter* elementary schools are welcomed to apply. The purpose of the SEP Jr. application is to assess each school’s overall capacity for offering computer science. The application process will consist of an online application followed by a site visit or interview for select schools. Schools selected for cohort 1 will receive on-going professional development throughout the 2016-2017 school year.
*Please note: no financial assistance or equipment will be provided to charter schools.

Please contact sepjr@strongschools.nyc with questions.

CS4ALL is a public-private partnership, in collaboration with CSNYC and the Robin Hood Foundation.