Techquity

We are committed to make sure that all young people in Indiana – regardless of family income or social background – have exposure to computer science and access to computer science education. Our dedication to equity will change the face of the technology workforce of the future.

Our Pledge to Equitable Access

Indiana is one of the top five states for computer science education, and the future of Indiana is technology. We will work to ensure that all students are part of that future. We will drive change in Indiana through our existing work and new commitments, which include the following:
  • Establish a “Techquity Council” with teachers and students from various backgrounds across Indiana to provide guidance to ensure equity stays at the forefront of all work;
  • Explore partnerships with community organizations that serve diverse communities, share our values and are racially inclusive;
  • Actively work with school districts with higher concentrations of students from marginalized racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in computer science to educate administrators on computer science, the benefits associated with implementing a CS curriculum and how we can help drive student participation;
  • Educate parents and guardians on the benefits of computer science, available resources and Nextech’s new and current programs;
  • Feature a diverse group of tech professional speakers within our student programs to build a stronger and more inclusive tech community;
  • Institute a new Professional Development course for educators entitled “Strategies for Effective and Inclusive CS Teaching”; and
  • Be an ally.

Techquity Council

Launched in December 2020, the Nextech Techquity Council is a body of Indiana schoolteachers and high school students from diverse social, economic and geographic backgrounds who are committed to advancing computer science education in our state, and eager to guide our organization’s efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive tech sector in Indiana.

This group advises on Nextech programming and initiatives, with teachers serving two-year terms and students a one-year term. In addition, Nextech Techquity Council members will inform Nextech’s efforts as a leader in tech diversity – letting us know whenever we fall short of the pro-inclusivity, anti-bias ideals we seek to uphold and advance in our own work.

Casey Headshot
Van Duyn Elementary School

Casey
Nathaniel Headshot
Portage High School

Nathaniel
Taundra Headshot
Zionsville Community High School

Taundra
Casey Headshot

Van Duyn Elementary School

Casey

Casey is a special education teacher who services students from kindergarten to fifth grade with a range of abilities and strengths. This is her third year in education. Casey has spoken at professional education conferences like eduTECH where she presented a breakout session and was one of the keynote speakers at Transform Parke-Vermillion eLearning.

Nathaniel Headshot

Portage High School

Nathaniel

Husband, Father, Teacher. I dream big ideas and then work hard at making them a reality. I am a passionate educator that is trying to reach EVERY student I encounter. From computer science, to esports, to cooking, to geology, I am trying to motivate every student to be successful in their own way. 

Taundra Headshot

Zionsville Community High School

Taundra

Taundra transitioned from corporate America to teaching about almost 6 years ago, but she has been teaching college level Business classes since 2010. She currently teaches Business and Computer Science classes at Zionsville Community High School in Zionsville, IN.

Techquity Scorecard

Access to Computer Science for Indiana High Schools​

Schools Teaching CS by Locale

% of Students with Access to CS by Race/Ethnicity

% of Students with Access to CS by Free/Reduced Lunch Eligibility

Schools Teaching CS by Locale

% of Students with Access to CS by Race/Ethnicity

% of Students with Access to CS by Free/Reduced Lunch Eligibility

Participation in Computer Science

% of Economically Disadvantaged Students Who Participate in CS

Number of AP CS Exams Taken by Race/Ethnicity

Number of AP CS Exams Taken by Gender

% of Economically Disadvantaged Students Who Participate in CS

Number of AP CS Exams Taken by Race/Ethnicity

Number of AP CS Exams Taken by Gender