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Computer Science

A vision for Computer Science education in Indiana

  • Since the introduction of the K-8 Indiana Academic Standards in 2016, Indiana has been a leader in computer science (CS) education, implementing strong policies, and supporting computer science instruction across grade levels. 
  • Computer science is foundational to Indiana’s vision for STEM education and Indiana’s future STEM workforce. Students learn skills that are essential to all STEM fields, and foundational to emerging disciplines including artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and data science. 
  • With the introduction of a computer science high school graduation requirement paired with essential K-8 Computer Science instruction, students are prepared to be critical consumers, responsible creators, and informed participants in a world powered by computing.

Computer Science Graduation Requirement: Guidance, Competencies, and Instructional Resources

Pursuant to Indiana Code (IC) 20-32-4-18, (b) Beginning with the graduating class of 2029, students must successfully complete instruction in computer science as a separate subject to be eligible to graduate from high school. This Course Eligibility document for the new Indiana High School diploma (page 3) highlights courses that can fulfill this graduation requirement.

Next Level Program of Studies (NLPS) 4565: Computing Foundations for a Digital Age

The most common option for fulfilling the graduation requirement is NLPS course 4565: Computing Foundations for a Digital Age. This course is aligned to core domains including data and analysis, impacts of computing, and algorithms and programming, providing students with skills and knowledge to succeed in a world powered by computing. 

To support the implementation of NLPS 4565, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and the Commission for Higher Education (CHE)  have published core competencies, created frameworks to guide instruction, reviewed high-quality curricular materials, and published guidance.

NLPS Course Title

Core Competencies

2025 Instructional Frameworks

Course Implementation Guidance Webinar

Computing Foundations for a Digital Age

PDF

Computing Foundations Instructional Frameworks

NLPS 4565 Guidance and Resources

Please see IDOE’s High Quality Curricular Material (HQCM) page for reviewed curricular options that align to the competencies and topics of the course.

K-8 Standards, Instructional Resources, and Assessment Resources 

IDOE provides the following resources for comprehensive instruction in grades K-8 computer science. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an emerging discipline rooted in computer science where computers perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. As generative AI that can create text, images, or computer code becomes commonplace, it is essential that students know what AI is, how it works, and what its societal implications are. 

The Indiana Academic Standards in Computer Science and competencies of NLPS 4565: Computing Foundations for a Digital Age address AI concepts. 

The following resources highlight this content and support instruction. 

For information on AI guidance for schools and educators, or best practices for using AI-powered education platforms, more information is available from Digital Learning at IDOE.

The Indiana General Assembly defined computer science education as a priority through the passage of Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 172 (2018), requiring every school to incorporate computer science in its curriculum for students in grades K-12.

Indiana Code (IC) 20-20-45 established the Next Level Computer Science (CS) Grant Program and Computer Science Fund to award grants to eligible entities to implement high-quality teacher professional development programs in computer science. The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is charged to administer the program and fund. IC 20-20-45-12 requires IDOE to biannually submit a progress report to the Governor regarding the:

1. Development and administration of the program and fund; and

2. Status of public schools in meeting CS curriculum requirements.

Pursuant to Indiana Code (IC) 20-30-5-23, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is required to prepare an annual report on statewide progress of the implementation of computer science (CS) courses. This report highlights the number and percentage of unique computer science course enrollments and completions. The data is disaggregated by student population, including race/ethnicity, gender, grade, English language proficiency status, free or reduced lunch status, and special education eligibility. Computer science instructor and certification data is also required.

Pursuant to Indiana Code (IC) 20-32-4-18, (b) Beginning in 2029, an individual must successfully complete instruction on computer science as a separate subject to be eligible to graduate from high school. The computer science instruction must:

  1. to the extent feasible, be taught in person; and
  2. cover the following:
    (A) Algorithms and programming.
    (B) Computing systems
    (C) Data and analysis.
    (D) Impacts of computing.
    (E) Networks and the Internet.

(c) Each school described in subsection (a) shall certify to the department that the individual has successfully completed instruction on computer science before the individual may graduate.

(d) The state board may allow a computer science course described in this section, including a computer science course taken in grade 8, to satisfy one (1) or more diploma course requirements.

Indiana launched new secondary career and technical education (CTE) courses in the 2022-2023 school year, aligning high school courses to postsecondary opportunities which contains all secondary computer science and digital technology courses. CTE Pathways contain an introductory principles course, two concentrator courses, and a capstone course. 

Computer science CTE courses are housed under the Digital Technology pathways. A description of each Digital Technology pathway, and its competencies that outline the content required for each course. 

Please visit the Indiana CHE CTE page for more information.

CS Educator Hub.png

Visit us in the Learning Lab!

The CS Educator Hub in the Indiana Learning Lab features community posts that highlight resources and opportunities and computer science, and organizes guidance and resources published by IDOE. 

New to the Learning Lab? Want to join the CS Educator Hub? 

Users will need to follow these steps:

Step 1. Register for a Learning Lab account

Step 2: Join the CS Educator Hub by selecting the “Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence” option and then selecting “Join Community”

New users will be able to create an account and access the “Tour the IN Learning Lab with Our Team” resource to better understand how to navigate the Learning Lab.

Contact

Computer Science is administered as a partnership between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and the Commission for HIgher Education (CHE) Career and Technical Education (CTE) team. 

Contact the Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) team at IDOE with questions about: 

  1. K-8 Computer Science Standards, instruction, and assessment.
  2. Facilitating Professional Development opportunities in computer science.
  3. Supporting in-service teachers in best practices of computer science.
  4. Creating and facilitating a computer science community within the state.

Contact the CHE CTE team with questions about: 

  1. Developing the core competencies of Next Level Program of Studies (NLPS) Course 4565 - Computing Foundations for a Digital Age.
  2. Specifying which courses meet the computer science graduation requirement for the class of 2029 and beyond.
  3. Digital Technology Pathways and aligning their competencies to post-secondary readiness standards.