State-Level Perspectives of High School Computer Science Education Policy: A Complex Systems Analysis

Policymakers and intermediary organizations have focused on secondary computer science (CS) as a policy goal with 30 states requiring high schools to offer CS, 37 states counting CS as math or science course, and 8 states mandating CS as a graduation requirement in 2023. This qualitative study unveils preliminary findings from focus groups with Computer Science Education State Supervisors (CSEdSS) (n=11). CSEdSS were asked about the impact, implementation, and perspectives of secondary CS policies. Using a complex systems lens, we identify accelerators and policy tensions related to secondary CS education implementation from the perspectives of CSEdSS and discuss ways in which researchers and policymakers can collaborate to advance equitable CS education.