“SCRIPT”ing the Future of Computer Science Curriculum

If you want to raise math and reading scores, teach computer science (CS). The earlier the better. 

That’s the advice from Mark Lantsberger, computer science coordinator at the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE). 

To improve CS programs in the county, he works with school and district teams to facilitate the Strategic CSforALL Resource and Implementation Planning Tool, or SCRIPT for short. 

SCRIPT is a framework to guide teams of district administrators, school leaders, and educators through a series of collaborative visioning, self-assessment, and goal-setting exercises to create or expand upon a computer science education implementation plan for their students. 

Bronze CS Results in the Golden State

You might say that California practically invented the modern computer science industry through pioneering companies, research labs, and universities. Still, the state doesn’t mandate CS instruction like it does for English, math, science, and other subjects. 

The lack of a mandate has a cascading effect: lack of standardized curricula and resources, not many districts teach it, and there aren’t enough qualified teachers. As a result, in 2024 California ranked in the bottom 15 of states for its CS offerings, with only 52% of high schools offering foundational CS programs.   

SCRIPT helps fill this gap with resources, actions plans, and tools to help districts. 

Writing a New SCRIPT for CS 

SCRIPT was devised by CSforALL, an organization dedicated to making CS and artificial intelligence (AI) education accessible to all. Lantsberger attended SCRIPT training to be able to expand his learning with teachers in the region. Lantsberger explained that SCRIPT is designed for a district to examine its current CS practices and evaluate themselves. “It’s a way for a district to think about computer science in a very structured way where they can examine their current practices against a rubric of where you might get to,” he said. 

Feeding Two Birds With One Hand 

Lantsberger draws his passion for CS instruction based on two decades teaching it in the classroom. He also praises SDCOE’s commitment to investing in CS education and support for districts and charter schools. Lantsberger sees a direct alignment between CS instruction and the San Diego County Board of Education goal of positioning SDCOE as a model and leader for innovation. 

For Lantsberger, the benefits of CS programs go well beyond CS. “I’m a huge proponent of integration,” he said. He often recites the analogy of “feeding two birds with one hand,” meaning CS instruction can be woven into math, English, and other lessons. 

“You can teach English skills and computer skills at the same time,” Lantsberger explained. “Cognitive science tells us we don’t learn through informational silos. We have an opportunity to evaluate where computer science standards overlap with other subjects. It’s a progression.”

The body of research showing links between CS instruction and improvements in other subjects is growing. Lantsberger commented, “We’re starting to get some research that shows that kids who are in a programmatic CS program in elementary school, scores in other subjects go up for them. We’re starting to see some hard research to support this link.” 

Additionally, Lantsberger ties CS instruction, and programs such as SCRIPT, directly to SDCOE’s North Star goal of increasing belonging. “There are lots of opportunities in CS to work collaboratively and socially. And there are ways to bring social justice into the learning, especially if we’re incorporating data.

“I’ve just seen, over and over, examples where kids get really into computer science, and they tell me, ‘That’s why I come to school every day,’” he said.

SCRIPT in Action in Coronado

Lantsberger’s first SCRIPT implementation was with Coronado Unified School District (CUSD), an engagement that began in spring 2025. The educators involved offered high praise for the approach. 

In Coronado, Lantsberger worked with a cross-functional team of about 15 educators and leaders. Over a three-month period, the group met four times to discuss ideas and issues, build consensus, vote on paths forward, and take time to reflect. Between sessions, participants discussed findings with other peers and colleagues. 

“The process was instrumental in assessing our current operations and defining our long-term vision,” said math/science teacher Stacy Morrisey. “By breaking our strategic plan into manageable three, six, and 12-month milestones, we were able to maintain clear direction. Having an objective, external facilitator was invaluable.”

That degree of teamwork and pacing was intentional. By design, Lantsberger said SCRIPT should unfold as a slow, thoughtful process. “The entire district needs to get comfortable with the idea that this approach to CS is in the works,” Lantsberger explained. “This shouldn’t be seen as something that’s coming out of nowhere. People need to understand we’re going through this process and we’re really looking at our computer science implementation.”

By taking the time to listen and learn, the district can uncover needs that are unique to their school community and student population. 

Megan Battle, CUSD’s senior director of its Learning Department, explained one of their takeaways: “We are a K-12 family system, and what we’re doing in kindergarten is just as important as what we’re doing in middle and high school. The SCRIPT process really lended itself to highlighting all the different grade levels and how we are all working towards the same common vision and goals for our kids.”

K-8 STEM teacher Sarah Yakutis had a positive experience with the SCRIPT protocol, and noted, “While it felt like the rubrics were overwhelming at first, once we started, we saw how quickly we started moving through them…The rubrics alone, we could never have come up with them on our own. They’re already fleshed out, vetted, and well thought out. I would highly recommend [SCRIPT].”

District and school teams, parents, and students can learn more from the SCRIPT Visioning and Planning page and explore Coronado Unified’s teachers’ experience with SCRIPT.