While Computer Science jobs pay nearly twice those of non-STEM jobs, Blacks and Latinos, the majority of M-DCPS students, are underrepresented in Computer Science roles in the U.S. Computer Science careers begin in K-12 classrooms; thus, the sooner CS is incorporated into their curricula, the more likely K-12 students are to become interested and skilled in CS as high school students, earn college degrees in CS, and become employed in CS professions. At the classroom level, Miami EdTech addresses lack of CS education training and resources for public school teachers who serve majority Black/Hispanic students. Teachers matter more to student achievement than any other aspect of schooling, and a nationwide survey identified professional development as the most important factor in preparing teachers to implement culturally responsive CS pedagogy. The same survey found that only 30% of CS teachers have Computer/Technical degrees; 46% have Computer/Technical Sciences credentials; 35% do not have material/equipment necessary to teach CS; and nearly 25% feel concern about K-12 students’ lack of CS exposure. Miami EdTech addresses this by providing professional development and curricular support to M-DCPS teachers who serve Black/African American and Hispanic/LatinX students.

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