Google Project
Expanding CS and AI Education Capacity, Access, and Participation for Students with Disabilities through Scaled Teacher PD
Funding for this project is generously granted by Google.org
We are committed to expanding computer science (CS) and artificial intelligence (AI) opportunities for K-12 learners with disabilities. Our work is grounded in the CAPE (Fletcher & Warner, 2021) and Expanded CAPE frameworks (McGill et al, 2023), which allow us to measure and improve access across four key levels:
- Capacity: Ensuring school districts have the policies and leadership needed to support CS, AI and robotics for the widest range of learners.
- Access: Making sure CS, AI, and robotics instruction and tools are available to students with disabilities.
- Participation: Increasing the number of learners with disabilities who enroll in CS, AI, and robotics opportunities.
- Experience: Using Universal Design for Learning (UDL), High Leverage Practices (HLPs), and Accessibility to ensure students feel a true sense of belonging in the classroom.
Scaling Success: The “Train the Trainer” Model
To ensure every district has the tools it needs to succeed, we are developing a “train the trainer” professional development model. By collaborating with teacher leaders from our previous UDL4CS cohorts, we are co-designing resources that empower district teams across the U.S. to lead their own universally designed CS and AI coaching and workshops. This approach ensures that pedagogical practices to reach the widest range of learners allow everyone to thrive in any school environment.
Tier 1: Direct Capacity Building
- Direct, job embedded professional development
- District collaborators
Tier 2: Train the Trainer
- District teams (general & special ed teacher leaders, CS coaches, etc.)
- CSTA Partnerships
Tier 3: Individual Teacher Capacity Building
- Independent study
- Microcredentials
- Online free resource
Expanding Our Approach into AI Literacy: UDL4AI
As technology evolves, so does our mission. We are integrating AI education into our offerings to ensure that AI literacy is accessible to everyone.
By adapting our proven methods, we are developing UDL4AI: a systematic model to help teachers introduce AI concepts in an accessible way. These new strategies will be woven into our microcredentials and professional learning models, preparing educators to guide all students through the world of Artificial Intelligence.
What We Aim to Do
Empower Districts: Provide tools and resources to help districts create new CS, AI, and robotics opportunities for learners with disabilities.
Build Leadership: Launch a scalable “train the trainer” model to sustain practices nationwide.
Innovate with AI: Develop and refine the UDL4AI model to bridge the gap in AI literacy for students with disabilities.
Support Educators: Continue offering district-wide professional development and microcredentials over the next two years to ensure long-term teacher success.
Our Team
We work closely with schools and organizations that share our vision
Maya Israel, Ph.D.
PI, Director of CS Everyone Center for CS Education & Professor of Educational Technology & Computer Science Education
Joanne Barrett, Ed.D.
Teacher Development Specialist
Alexis Cobo, Ed.D.
Postdoctoral Associate
Leela Kumaran, PhD.
Research Coordinator III
Jessica Williams, PhD.
Postdoctoral Associate
Jule Martinez
Graphic Designer
Michael McKelvey
Web Developer & Accessibility Specialist
Professional Learning Resources
Google Microcredentials
K-12 CS for Learners with Disabilities
The CS Everyone K-12 CS Education microcredential is an introduction to foundational concepts in computational thinking. It includes strategies for classroom integration and lesson plan development.
UDL in K-12 CS Education
UDL in K-12 CS provides teachers with a deeper understanding of how to apply UDL principles to address learner variability and promote learner agency in CS education. By the end of this course, you will be able to design inclusive CS lessons that empower every student to engage, learn, and succeed.
UDL4AI
coming soon