Overview

The Computing Foundations for a Digital Age (4565) course is one option for your students to meet the computer science (CS) graduation requirement passed during the 2024 legislative session. For more information on this course and its implementation, please see the Next Level Programs of Study page on the Commission for Higher Education’s website.

Computer Science and AI Foundations is a course designed by Code.org to meet state graduation requirements and aligns to the competencies of Indiana’s Computing Foundations for a Digital Age (4565). 

Code.org’s Computer Science and AI Foundations (CSAIF) curriculum empowers students to explore, understand and harness computer science and AI for real-world problem-solving. Flexible, accessible and engaging, CSAIF equips students with essential computational thinking skills, foundational CS knowledge, responsible technology use and the confidence to create in a technology-driven and AI-enhanced future. Students learn the fundamentals of software development, networks, cybersecurity, data science, AI concepts and coding.

To meet the Indiana graduation requirements, educators should use the first semester of CSAIF. Units 1 – 6 of the CSAIF course provide 18 weeks of content that has been aligned to the 4565 course competencies. Nextech and Code.org have prepared everything you need to be successful teaching this course — from pacing guides, standard alignments, lesson plans, materials list, and wrap-around supports for the inevitable “survival mode” of teaching content for the first time.

What You Will Receive in Professional Development 

• A cohort of teachers teaching the course at the same time that you are and learning alongside each other
• Curriculum (including teacher lesson plans, a pacing guide, rubrics and examples/exemplars) using Code.org Computer Science and AI Foundations
• All lessons, curriculum and units aligned to Indiana standards and the competencies for the NLPS Course Computing Foundations for a Digital Age (4565)
• 1:1 office hours, prep time help, and someone to call for help 
• PGP hours

Eligibility and Pre-Requisites

This workshop is for any teachers new to teaching computer science that need support and a 4565 curriculum or those who have taught computer science but need support and resources for this course.

Workshop Details

• Length: 2 virtual days during the summer (July 2025) + 2 virtual school year workshops
• Required Dates:
  • July 15, 2025 AND July 16, 2025, 8:30 – 3:30PM ET
  • September 6, 2025, 8:30AM – 3:30PM ET
  • October 25, 2025, 8:30AM – 3:30PM ET
    Attendees should plan on attending all dates. There will also be optional support sessions and 1:1 office hours provided throughout the fall semester.
• Cost to Participate: $0

This PD is currently full, but if you are interested in being added to the waiting list, please email teachers@nextech.org.