Minority Students in Computer Science

Abstract

Over the past decade, a number of collaborative efforts to expand computer science (CS) education in U.S. K-12 schools have been made (e.g., CS 10K and CSforAll). Despite various efforts, minority students, such as African Americans and Hispanics, still face unique barriers to accessing CS courses, resulting in the underrepresentation of minorities in the field of CS. This chapter reviews factors affecting minority students' interest in and access to CS learning and identified barriers, such as a lack of CS courses offered in schools, students' lack of self-efficacy in CS, and a lack of role model who can encourage minority students to study CS in college. The chapter also introduces the culturally responsive teaching (CRT) framework, followed by a discussion on how teachers can incorporate CRT strategies to create culturally responsive computing learning environments where minority students' engagement and success in CS are promoted.