FAQ

(Q): I am interested in participating in the Teacher Innovation Workshops being offered in the 2023/2024 school year. Is there a stipend available for full and active participation?

(A): Yes, because the Teacher Innovation Workshops are a part of the 3-Hour Orientation Workshops of the Seasons of CS.

Due to the stipulations of the CA Department of Education with the 2023 Educator Workforce Investment Grant (EWIG), participation incentives can only be made available to California educators and paraprofessionals who are currently working in a classroom during regular instructional time and are directly related to the classroom instruction of pupils. Teachers who are the teacher-in-charge consistently during the school day and paraprofessionals during the school day will be paid a participation incentive through the 2023 EWIG: CS grant.  

If a Librarian is teaching a Computer Technology course, CS course, or a teacher-in-charge of another course during the school day, they are eligible to be funded from 2023 EWIG: CS funds. Expanded learning educators who are the teacher-in-charge during the school day or a paraprofessional during the school day can be funded through 2023 EWIG: CS funds. Therefore, pre-service teachers and substitute teachers are not eligible to be funded via 2023 EWIG: CS funds. 

Here are the stipend details:

(Q): What type of participation is required to receive a stipend (participation incentive)?

(A): At our virtual, hybrid, and in-person computer science professional learning workshops, we prioritize fostering an interactive and collaborative environment. These workshops are designed not only to impart standards-based knowledge and skills but also to provide California K-12 educators with the invaluable opportunity to connect with their peers who share a passion for computer science and educational technology. Considering this emphasis on connecting with others, we have chosen not to permit AI notetaking bots, like Otter AI, during our sessions. Our decision aligns with the expectations set by the California Department of Education, which requires active, live participation from educators to qualify for stipends related to these synchronous workshops. We understand that everyone's learning preferences differ. If you're someone who leans towards asynchronous learning, we encourage you to check out the other Seasons of CS learning opportunities.

(Q): Can I participate in more than one Orientation workshop and earn more than one stipend?

(A): Yes. For the 3-hour Orientation Workshops, a participant can earn more than one stipend by fully and actively participating in more than one 3-hour Orientation Workshop.

(Q): Is Seasons of CS registration open for California private school educators?

(A): Yes. Please enter your school name rather than a district name during the registration process. Registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.  It is worth noting that stipends are cannot be provided to private school educators, due to restrictions in the Educator Workforce Investment Grant.  We hope you will benefit from the high-quality, no-cost professional learning opportunities made available through the Seasons of CS.

(Q): Is Seasons of CS registration open for individuals or teams?

(A): You can register as an individual or as a team. To help build local capacity and support, we encourage school-based teams of teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, and administrators to register. 

(Q): Can non-California educators participate in the Summer of CS workshop offerings?

(A): Non-California educators are not allowed to participate at this time due to the terms of the Educator Workforce Investment Grant (EWIG) in Computer Science which is intended to support California educators.

(Q): Was there a stipend associated with participating in the June and July 2023 Summer of CS workshops? I understand these workshops were funded through 2021 EWIG: CS funds. 

(A): Yes, California classroom educators who are teachers-in-charge consistently as well as paraprofessionals who participated in the Summer of CS offerings will receive $175 per day (6 hours) incentive. Most workshops were 3-day or 5-day workshops, with some exceptions. Registrations were taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Registrations were confirmed upon receipt of a signed participation agreement from each registrant and their respective supervisor.

The Seasons of CS Team is here to support you throughout the year as you embark on your computer science learning pathway! Since this is a yearlong professional development opportunity, 2023 Summer of CS workshop participants are guaranteed additional academic year workshops of just-in-time support where they will meet virtually after school with their workshop provider to reinforce, reflect, and extend their learning. These workshop meetings will be daily during the weeks listed below. Workshop time will be a mix of synchronous and asynchronous time. Synchronous time will be specified by your workshop Facilitator. They will be paid a $175 incentive for every 6 hours of ongoing professional learning.

For Grades K-5: September 11-14, 2023 (4-5:30pm) and March 11-14, 2024 (4-5:30pm).
For Grades 6-12: September 11-14, 2023 (4-5:30pm), November 6-9, 2023 (4-5:30pm), January 8-11, 2024 (4-5:30pm), and March 11-14, 2024 (4-5:30pm).


Also included are three virtual Community of Practice gatherings, in collaboration with the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA). These are optional and scheduled from 4-5:30pm where you will connect with fellow educators across California:

2023 Summer of CS workshop participants will be paid a $50 stipend for each of these meetings for active participation. Go to the CSTA website for more information.

(Q): What is the commitment for the 2023/2024 school year for those who attended the 2023 Summer of CS workshops? 

(A): In addition to the academic year workshops listed above, the hope is that teachers and paraprofessionals who participate in 2023 Summer of CS workshops will deliver 30/50/75 hours of CS instruction, depending on grade level, to students during the 2023-2024 school year. 

This delivery could include integrated lessons, standalone units of instruction, after-school clubs and activities, and/or other creative approaches.  The workshop you choose to participate in this summer will provide you with ample content and strategies for instruction. The optional quarterly Community of Practice gatherings during 2023-2024 (listed above) will provide you with opportunities to collaborate with other K-12 teachers across the state on the topic of implementation. The grant that funds the Summer of CS asks for participating teachers to acknowledge an intent to deliver the instruction.  You will receive the resources and support to help you try to do 30/50/75 hours in the first school year. 

(Q): Who is eligible to participate and receive a stipend (participation incentive) for the 2023 Summer of CS workshops?

(A): Due to the stipulations of the CA Department of Education with the 2021 Educator Workforce Investment Grant (EWIG), participation incentives can only be made available to educators and paraprofessionals who are currently working in a classroom during regular instructional time and are directly related to the classroom instruction of pupils. Teachers who are the teacher-in-charge consistently during the school day and paraprofessionals during the school day will be paid a participation incentive through the 2021 EWIG: CS grant. If a Librarian is teaching a Computer Technology course, CS course, or a teacher-in-charge of another course during the school day, they are eligible to be funded from 2021 EWIG: CS funds. Expanded learning educators that are the teacher-in-charge during the school day or a paraprofessional during the school day can be funded through 2021 EWIG: CS funds.

Therefore, pre-service teachers and substitute teachers are not eligible to be funded via 2021 EWIG: CS funds. 

(Q): Can I register for more than one 2023 Summer of CS workshop?

(A): Registration is now closed, however, due to capacity constraints, participants were only allowed to register for one 2023 Summer of CS workshop. 

What is the cost for the 2023 Summer of CS workshops?

(A): All workshops are free to California classroom educators, paraprofessionals, counselors, and administrators. No prior computer science experience is necessary. 

(Q): Are there travel funds available for participating in the Summer of CS workshops happening in June 2023 and July 2023?

(A): California classroom educators and paraprofessionals will receive $175 per day (6 hours) incentive for active participation in the 2023 Summer of CS offerings. There are no additional funds for travel. You may use your daily $175 incentive as you wish.

(Q): Are there Continuing Education Units (CEUs) offered for participation in this summer's workshops? 

(A): Continuing Education Units are not available for participating in the 2023 Summer of CS workshops.

(Q): I am an administrator. Is there a workshop available for my specific role?

(A): Yes! The 2023 Summer of CS offered a workshop called for the CS Equity Workshop for School Leaders. Participants came to learn about hands-on tools and strategies to implement equity-minded K12 CS education in our schools, districts, and county offices of education. The workshop and accompanying CS Equity Implementation Guide, written by administrators for administrators, are resources aimed at transforming CS education implementation in CA and increasing opportunities for all students, including low-income students, students of color, young women, English learners, and students with special needs. Participants discussed the current context of CS in CA, including an overview of research, recent policy developments, and how to analyze data in their region/school using the CS Equity Dashboard. Facilitators shared lessons learned from districts/county offices and discussed how to address challenges to implementing scalable, sustainable, and equity-minded professional development. 

(Q): I see that some 2023 Summer of CS workshops are listed as "In-Person with Virtual Provider." What does that mean?

(A): Both in-person and virtual 2023 Summer of CS workshops are available for all grades K-12. Some workshops are listed as "In-Person with Virtual Provider" since they are offered in-person at a physical location such as a county office of education, but the facilitator presenting the provider's curriculum will be streamed from another location.  For example, the facilitator of the Bootstrap: Algebra workshop will be presenting in-person from June 26-30th at the Santa Clara Office of Education with attendees, but, at the same time this workshop will be streamed to the Sacramento County Office of Education for those attendees in-person at that Sacramento site. The Sacramento workshop would be considered "In-Person with Virtual Provider" in this case. If you register for a workshop that is listed as "Virtual" then there is no physical location and the workshop will be entirely delivered online by the facilitator who is the content expert of the provider's curriculum. Room Hosts, for both in-person and virtual workshops, will be available to support the workshop facilitators.

(Q): I participated in a 2023 Summer of CS workshop. What type of support can I expect as I implement computer science in my classroom?

(A): The Seasons of CS Team is here to support you throughout the year as you embark on your computer science learning pathway! Since this is a yearlong professional development opportunity, not only did you get free access to any 2023 Summer of CS workshop you chose, you also are guaranteed additional academic year workshops of just-in-time support where you will meet virtually after school with your workshop provider to reinforce, reflect, and extend your learning during the following weeks: 

For Grades 6-12: September 11-14, 2023 (4-5:30pm), November 6-9, 2023 (4-5:30pm), January 8-11, 2024 (4-5:30pm), and March 11-14, 2024 (4-5:30pm). These workshop meetings will be daily during the weeks listed. Workshop time will be a mix of synchronous and asynchronous time. Synchronous time will be specified by your workshop provider. There will be a total of 24 hours of academic-year support. You will be paid a $175 incentive for every 6 hours of ongoing professional learning.

For Grades K-5: September 11-14, 2023 (4-5:30pm) and March 11-14, 2024 (4-5:30pm). These workshop meetings will be daily during the weeks listed. Workshop time will be a mix of synchronous and asynchronous time. Synchronous time will be specified by your workshop provider. There will be a total of 12 hours of academic-year support. You will be paid a $175 incentive for every 6 hours of ongoing professional learning.


Also included are three virtual Community of Practice gatherings, in collaboration with the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA). These are scheduled from 4-5:30pm where you will connect with fellow educators across California:

You will be paid a $50 stipend for each meeting for active participation.

(Q) Besides the 2023 Summer of CS workshops, what other opportunities will I have for networking?

(A) You will be encouraged to also participate in virtual Communities of Practice. Also included are three virtual Community of Practice gatherings, in collaboration with the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA). These are scheduled from 4-5:30pm where you will connect with fellow educators across California:

(Q): What does EWIG stand for?

(A): The Educator Workforce Investment Grant (EWIG) in Computer Science provides funding for the Summer of CS programming and was awarded by the California Department of Education to UCLA and its CSforCA coalition, along with the CDE Foundation and Sacramento County Office of Education. The goal is to implement the Seasons of CS professional learning program across California's Statewide System of Support.

(Q): I have several questions about the Seasons of CS learning opportunities. How can I learn more details?

(A) Contact us at seasonsofcs@cdefoundation.org.

(Q): What are EWIG's 7 Regions of Support in California?

(A): The 7 regional lead agencies (RLAs) are: