Introductory and Specific CSSA's

List of CSSA Courses

• Course 1 Introduction to Programming
• Course 2 Computational Thinking and Programming
• Course 3 Computer Networks, Communication Devices and Methods
• Course 4 Data Structures and Software Design

Introductory supplementary authorizations may be added to the Single Subject, Standard Secondary, and Special Secondary (in academic subject areas only) Teaching Credentials and authorize the holder to teach the supplementary subject matter content typically included in curriculum guidelines and textbooks for study in grades 9 and below. This allows an employer to assign a teacher with an introductory supplementary authorization to teach a class in which the curriculum is for grades 9 and below but the students in the class may be in grades 10-12.

Supplementary authorizations added to a Multiple Subject or Standard Elementary Teaching Credential authorize the holder to teach departmentalized classes related to the supplementary authorization listed on their credential in grades 9 and below. Elementary credentials will list the same subjects but the word “Introductory” is not listed. The subjects which may be listed as supplementary authorizations on a credential are printed below in bold italics. On secondary credentials, the subjects are identified as introductory subjects. An introductory supplementary authorization requires the verification of at least one course in each content area listed after that subject.

Computational thinking: involves solving problems and designing systems, using fundamental computing concepts such as decomposition, data representation, generalization/abstraction, and algorithms.

Computing practice and programming: includes expertise in at least one block--- based, visual (drag-and-drop) programming language (e.g., Alice, Blockly, Kodu, Logo, Scratch, Snap!) or a modern, high-level programming language.

Computer and communications devices: covers the major components and functions of digital devices and the computing systems they compose.

Impacts of computing: includes the social, ethical, and legal issues and impacts of computing, as well as the contributions of computer science to current and future innovations in the arts, business, humanities, medicine, and science. These topics may be included within courses that cover any of the other content areas.

Degrees in Educational Technology or Information Technology do not automatically meet the requirement without submission of official transcripts to verify all the required content areas have been fulfilled.

Specific supplementary authorizations may be added to Single Subject, Standard Secondary and Special Secondary (academic subject areas only) Teaching Credentials and authorize the holder to teach the specific subject in grades preschool, kindergarten-12, and classes organized primarily for adults.

Coursework completed must cover the following content areas:

• Computer Programming: includes expertise in at least one modern, high-level programming language (e.g., Python, Java, C/C++/C#).
• Data structures and algorithms: covers data representation, abstraction, searching and sorting in the context of solving problems using programming and computational tools.
• Digital devices, systems and networks: covers computer and communication devices and the systems they compose, including the concepts and abstractions that enable stand-alone, networked, and mobile digital devices to operate and communicate.
• Software design: covers the process of planning, engineering and implementing a software system to solve a problem, typically using both a design and a programming methodology, such as object-oriented and functional approaches.
• Impacts of computing: includes the social, ethical, and legal issues and impacts of computing, as well as the contributions of computer science to current and future innovations in the arts, business, humanities, medicine, and science. These topics may be included within courses that cover any of the other content areas.

The balance of the units may be in any course that falls within the academic department for that subject category. Computer classes in the Education Department may be used including a pedagogy course in computer science from either department.

Degrees in Educational Technology or Information Technology do not automatically meet the requirement without submission of official transcripts to verify all the required content areas have been fulfilled.