The impact of exploring computer science in Wisconsin: where disadvantage is an advantage

Quo Vadis Racial Disparities? Trend Analysis of the Participation and Top Achievement in Advanced Placement Computer Science Exams

“…There are several potential explanations for why Black, Native American, and Hispanic students are less represented among top achievers compared to their White and Asian peers. One possibility is that these groups face greater systemic obstacles in terms of access to resources and opportunities, which impact their readiness for AP CS achievement (Benjamin, 2019;Margolis et al, 2017;Yadav & Heath, 2022). Given that the AP CS is a college level program that requires concrete preparation, having less access to quality education and CS preparation opportunities would be a major barrier to be successful for students.…”

“…Broadening participation for students from historically underrepresented populations has been a critical social justice issue (Kapor, 2018;Maker & Pease, 2021;Noble, 2018). The lack of diversity in computing not only limits the potential for creativity and innovation in the field, but also has implications for who is able to shape and control the technology that increasingly affects our lives (Benjamin, 2019). Diversity fosters innovation and creativity, but it also minimizes bias, which is particularly key in computing, which affects underrepresented people, especially through biased technology that does not reflect their needs and intentionally or unintentionally harms them (Buolamwini & Gebru, 2018).…”

“…Research suggests a few complex reasons why students from Black, Hispanic, and Native American populations have been underrepresented in K-12 CS education (Kapor, 2018; Wang et al, 2017). One reason is that many schools do not offer CS courses, especially in lower-income neighborhoods (Bort et al, 2018; Code.org, CSTA and ECEP, 2022; Margolis et al, 2017; Parker & Hendrickson, 2022). Connectedly, students from underrepresented populations are more likely to attend schools that do not offer CS programs such as AP CS courses (Ericson & Guzdial, 2014; Goins et al, 2022).…”