Computer Science 2000/ARIES Alliance

Technology companies in the Austin area face a shortage of qualified information technology (IT) workers. To help solve this problem, the Austin Regional Industry Education Systems (ARIES) Alliance is putting in place a competency-based system for IT education at the high school and community college levels. This effort includes (1) the development of IT skill standards for Texas, (2) alignment of existing IT curricula with the skill standards, (3) design and implementation of new curricula based on the skill standards, (4) professional development for teachers, and (5) portable, performance-based assessments and appropriate certifications.

The project is tailoring for the state of Texas the industry-validated IT skill standards developed by the NorthWest Center for Emerging Technologies (an ATE Center of Excellence in Bellevue, WA). The project is also adapting and implementing the NorthWest Center's vendor-neutral "Introduction to IT" course and the center's curricula in eight career concentrations: programming/software engineering, network design and administration, enterprise systems analysis and integration, database development and administration, Web development and administration, digital media, technical support, and technical writing. A team of statewide community and technical college faculty are using the new Texas IT skill standards to align the IT curriculum in all Texas community and technical colleges. Articulation between the curricula at the high school and community college levels provides multiple entry and exit points for students.