FAQ

(Q): I am interested in participating in 2025 CSPDWeek this summer. What should I know before I register?

(A): We will be hosting CSPDWeek in Anaheim again this summer. This dynamic, in-person offering brings together California-based middle/intermediate and high school educators of all subject matters to learn how to bring accessible, equitable computer science education to their students. Participants will be given tools and a network of support for fostering the next generation of critical thinkers and problem solvers in our increasingly digitized world. 

Save the Dates! 

• For CSPDWeek for Grade 6-12 Educators: June 23-27, 2025 | Anaheim, CA

• Summer of CS Kick-off Webinar: June 2, 2025, 4:00 - 5:30 PM. 

Participants will be offered a financial incentive of $250 and travel reimbursement for fully and actively participating in each CSPDWeek workshop day, which is typically defined as but not limited to a six-hour day. This incentive is intended to acknowledge the educator’s time and commitment to participate in this Seasons of CS professional learning activity that is offered outside of the traditional educator employment schedule. 

Prior to accepting the financial incentive, the educator will confirm that he/she/they:

• Is eligible to receive a stipend.

• Understands the stipend distribution schedule.

• Understands that stipends will only be distributed via electronic payment.

📌 Important!  All CSPDWeek registrants must attend our virtual Summer of CS Kick-off webinar hosted on Monday, June 2, 2025, from 4:00 - 5:30 PM. Asynchronous work will be assigned by your workshop facilitator during this event to help you prepare for your CSPDWeek workshop. All registrants planning to attend their CSPDWeek workshop are required to attend this one-and-a-half-hour event as they prepare for their 2025 summer workshop since it is part of the 30-hour time commitment necessary to fulfill full and active participation in their summer workshop. Registration information for the Summer of CS Kick-off webinar will be sent via email to all CSPDWeek registrants later in the spring.

Q: What is the commitment for Grade 6-12 educators participating in CSPDWeek happening in Anaheim, June 23-27, 2025?

A: CSPDWeek is a state-wide summer offering especially for Grade 6-12 educators. There is a 30-hour time commitment necessary to fulfill full and active participation in this learning opportunity. All CSPDWeek registrants must attend our virtual Summer of CS Kick-off webinar hosted on Monday, June 2, 2025, from 4:00 - 5:30 PM. Asynchronous work will be assigned by your workshop facilitator during this event to help you prepare for your CSPDWeek workshop. All registrants planning to attend CSPDWeek are required to attend this one-and-a-half-hour event as they prepare for their 2025 summer workshop since it is part of the 30-hour time commitment necessary to fulfill full and active participation in their summer workshop. This Kick-off event will be recorded and registrants who are unable to attend synchronously may watch the recording and reach out to receive their assignment. Registration information for the Kick-off webinar will be sent via email later in the spring.

Q: Who is invited to the Summer of CS Kick-off event on June 2, 2025?

A: The Summer of CS Kick-off virtual event is scheduled for June 2, 2025, from 4:00-5:30 PM. Both Grade K-5 regional and Grade 6-12 CSPDWeek (in Anaheim) workshop registrants are invited to this event. However, all Grade 6-12 registrants planning to attend CSPDWeek are required to attend this one-and-a-half-hour event as they prepare for their 2025 summer workshop since it is part of the 30-hour time commitment necessary to fulfill full and active participation in their summer workshop.

June 2nd At-A-Glance Agenda (subject to change):

3:45 PM Virtual Doors Open

4:00 PM Kick-off Start time 

5:00 PM Kick-off event end time for Grade K-5 Summer of CS registrants attending regional workshops

5:00 - 5:30 PM (Pre-CSPDWeek Work Time): Meet Your Workshop Facilitator - This meeting time is intended for all 6-12 CSPDWeek registrants where they will receive their 90-minute asynchronous assignment. This Kick-off event will be recorded and registrants who are unable to attend synchronously may watch the recording and reach out to receive their assignment.

(Q): Who is eligible to participate and receive a stipend (participation incentive) for the 2025 Summer of CS workshops?

(A): Due to the stipulations of the CA Department of Education with the 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 EWIG: CS grant. Payment for regional workshops will be coordinated with your county’s Office of Education. The amount of the stipends varies, based on the duration and intensity of the professional learning experience.

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 EWIG: CS funds. 

📌 Important!  Due to restrictions in the Educator Workforce Investment Grant (EWIG) in Computer Science, funding is limited to public K-12 school educators. As a result, private and independent school educators, expanded learning educators, pre-service teachers, and substitute teachers are not eligible for Summer of CS participation or a stipend. This includes the CSPDWeek workshops being offered in Anaheim, June 23-27, 2025. These eligibility requirements align with Assembly Bill 185, which prioritizes professional learning for teachers and paraprofessionals in public schools.

(Q) What are some reasons I might not be eligible to receive a stipend, and should not opt-in to receive a stipend?

(A): Workshop participants must have a completed Participation Agreement to be eligible for a stipend payment and travel reimbursement. Here are reasons you may not be eligible to receive a stipend:

• You are not employed by a public school or local education agency in California.

• You are participating in professional learning while receiving a salary with your organization/district/school at the time of the professional learning.

• Your organization/district/school has a policy that prevents you from receiving stipends/gifts in addition to your salary.

• You did not "fully and actively" participate in the live/synchronous portion of the workshop.

• You are a private school educator, an expanded learning educator, a substitute teacher, or a pre-service teacher (as per the requirements of the EWIG:CS Seasons of CS grant)

It is your responsibility to confirm your eligibility to receive a stipend.

It should be noted the receipt of a stipend constitutes a taxable event under the prevailing tax regulations. Parties involved must consider the implications of their individual tax obligations.

Questions about the Seasons of CS workshop stipends? Please complete the Stipend Inquiry Form.

(Q): Is 2025 Summer of CS registration open for California private school educators?

(A): No. Due to restrictions in the Educator Workforce Investment Grant (EWIG) in Computer Science, funding is limited to public K-12 school educators. As a result, private and independent school educators, expanded learning educators, pre-service teachers, and substitute teachers are not eligible for Summer of CS participation or a stipend. This includes the CSPDWeek workshops being offered in Anaheim, June 23-27, 2025. These eligibility requirements align with Assembly Bill 185, which prioritizes professional learning for teachers and paraprofessionals in public schools.

Q): I am participating in the Winter of CS at the California STEAM Symposium. I am wondering about the stipend payment associated with Winter of CS.

(A): Stipend payments of up to $500 will be processed once full and active participation in both days of the Winter of CS is confirmed. No partial payments will be processed. No stipends will be distributed until full and active participation is verified. 

Stipend payments will occur by June 30, 2025.

Questions about the Seasons of CS workshop stipends? Please complete the Stipend Inquiry Form.

(Q) Will partial stipends be paid for Academic Year Workshops?

(A): Academic Year Workshops provide Summer of CS participants an opportunity to reconnect with their summer cohort and they provide ongoing professional learning activities intended to extend the summer workshop experience with just-in-time content. Stipend payments of $250 will be paid for every completion of 6 hours of training during Academic Year Workshops. There are no partial stipend payments. For example, if you attended a scheduled Academic Year Workhsop on Tuesday but not the scheduled Thursday workshop, then you will not be paid $125. 

(Q) What opportunities are available to connect with other teachers who are passionate about integrating CS into their classrooms?

(A) The Seasons of CS Statewide Community of Practice (CoP) will be hosted by the Computer Science Teachers Association. If you participated in the 2024 Summer of CS, you should have received an email inviting you to register for the following CoPs:

Winter: December 12, 2024 from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Spring: April 24, 2025 from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

(Q): As an educator, do I need to notify my supervisor before I attend a Summer of CS workshop?

(A): Yes, educators do need to notify their supervisors before registering for Summer of CS. By involving supervisors in this unique professional development opportunity, we can build district-wide systems of support to ensure that educators and students are getting the resources and support they need to succeed in computer science. Check out our Participation Agreement.

Approaching your supervisor for permission to attend the event can provide an opportunity for you to discuss your professional development goals and how Summer of CS can help you achieve them. This discussion can lead to a more productive and fulfilling work experience for you and your students. Additionally, attending Summer of CS shows your dedication to your students and profession, sending a message to your supervisor that you are taking your role seriously. 

For resources to help advocate for CS at your school, please visit CSforCA.org/take-action. 

📌 Important! Workshop participants must have a completed Participation Agreement to be eligible for a stipend payment and travel reimbursement.

(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.

📌 Important!  Workshop participants must have a completed Participation Agreement to be eligible for a stipend payment and travel reimbursement.

📌 Eligibility Restrictions!  Due to restrictions in the Educator Workforce Investment Grant (EWIG) in Computer Science, funding is limited to public K-12 school educators. As a result, private and independent school educators, expanded learning educators, pre-service teachers, and substitute teachers are not eligible for Summer of CS participation or a stipend. This includes the CSPDWeek workshops being offered in Anaheim, June 23-27, 2025. These eligibility requirements align with Assembly Bill 185, which prioritizes professional learning for teachers and paraprofessionals in public schools.

(Q): What is the cost for the Summer of CS workshops?

(A): Summer of CS workshops are free, and eligible participants are paid a stipend for their time. California classroom educators and paraprofessionals employed by a public school LEA (school, district, or county office of education) will receive a daily stipend as an incentive for active participation in the Summer of CS offerings. Although educators who work in private schools, expanded learning and out-of-school time programs are welcome to participate, these educators are not eligible to receive a stipend.

(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. While we are unable to accept educators from outside of California, we encourage those educators to seek out alternate professional development opportunities to further CS in their localities.

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

(A): Yes. The Summer of CS offers workshops specific to school leaders. In addition, administrators are welcome to register for any Summer of CS workshop 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 goal of the workshops is to increase opportunities for all students, including low-income students, students of color, young women, English learners, and students with special needs. 

(Q): Are there Continuing Education Units (CEUs) offered for participation in the Summer of CS workshops? 

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

(Q): What does EWIG stand for?

(A): Seasons of CS is funded by the California Department of Education and the Educator Workforce Investment Grant Program (EWIG).  The CSforCA Coalition, including UCLA Center X, the Sacramento County Office of Education, the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, the CDE Foundation, and California County Offices of Education across California, are committed to supporting educators across our state as they expand their capacity to bring CS education to our students. The goal is to implement the Seasons of CS professional learning program across California's Statewide System of Support.

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

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

Region 1:  Far North Partnership

These are the counties in Region 1:

• Butte

• Del Norte

• Siskiyou

• Tehama

• Trinity

• Humboldt

• Glenn

• Lassen

• Modoc

• Plumas

• Shasta

Region 2:  North Bay / North Coast Collaborative

These are the counties in Region 2:

• Lake

• Marin

• Mendocino

• Napa

• Sonoma

Region 3:  Capital Central Foothill Area 

These are the counties in Region 3:

• Alpine

• Amador

• Calaveras

• Colusa

• El Dorado

• Nevada

• Placer

• Sacramento

• San Joaquin

• Sierra

• Sutter

• Yolo

• Yuba

• Tuolumne

Region 4:  Bay Area Consortium for Student Success

These are the counties in Region 4:

•  Alameda

• Contra Costa

• San Francisco

• San Mateo

• Santa Clara

• Solano

Region 5:  Mid-State Collaborative

These are the counties in Region 5:

•  Inyo

• Kings

• Madera

• Mariposa

• Merced

• Mono

• Monterey

• San Benito

• Santa Cruz

• Stanislaus

• Tulare

Region 6:  Valley to Coast Collaborative

These are the counties in Region 6:

• Fresno

• Kern

• Los Angeles

• San Luis Obispo

• Santa Barbara

• Ventura

Region 7:  Southern California System of Support

These are the counties in Region 7:

• Imperial

• Orange County

• Riverside

• San Bernardino

• San Diego

(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.