CSTA 2026

Making With Code, MWC1 and MWC2 together, is aligned with the High School Foundational tier of the 2026 CSTA PK-12 Computer Science Standards.

Concept Subconcept Standard Coverage
Algorithms & Design Algorithmic Problem Solving HS-ALG-PS-01. Design an algorithm using appropriate data structures to solve a problem or express an idea.
Algorithms & Design Algorithmic Problem Solving HS-ALG-PS-02. Optimize the design of an algorithm using procedural abstraction and control structures.
Algorithms & Design Algorithmic Problem Solving HS-ALG-PS-03. Evaluate algorithms for efficiency, correctness, and clarity, using metrics or test cases.
Algorithms & Design Algorithmic Problem Solving HS-ALG-PS-04. Describe the differences between deterministic and probabilistic algorithms.
Algorithms & Design Algorithmic Problem Solving HS-ALG-PS-05. Evaluate AI-generated output to assess bias, accuracy, and potential harms.

Not addressed. We are actively studying productive roles for AI in introductory CS courses, but currently discourage its use as it tends to collapse authentic learning opportunities.
Algorithms & Design Machine Learning HS-ALG-ML-06. Justify the selection of a type of AI algorithm to accomplish a task.
Algorithms & Design Machine Learning HS-ALG-ML-07. Evaluate training data by examining its source, quality, representativeness, potential biases, and privacy implications.
Algorithms & Design Machine Learning HS-ALG-ML-08. Develop a machine learning model for a chosen task using appropriate data and tools.
Algorithms & Design Impacts of Algorithms & Design HS-ALG-IM-09. Design a computing technology using human-centered design principles.
Algorithms & Design Impacts of Algorithms & Design HS-ALG-IM-10. Evaluate the ethical implications, societal impacts, and potential biases of rule-based and data-driven algorithms.
Algorithms & Design Impacts of Algorithms & Design HS-ALG-IM-11. Articulate the values embedded in the design of an algorithmic system.
Programming Program Development HS-PRO-PD-12. Create a modular program that uses procedures, external libraries, or objects to improve reusability and readability.
Programming Program Development HS-PRO-PD-13. Use documentation, libraries, application programming interfaces (APIs), and other tools in program development.
Programming Program Development HS-PRO-PD-14. Apply appropriate attribution of intellectual property when developing a computing technology.

Not addressed. We deliberately don't formalize citation requirements for the libraries and code students build on. MWC aims for an easygoing, collaborative classroom atmosphere, and a formal IP-attribution requirement runs against that spirit. Feel free to adopt your own norms related to citation and attribution.
Programming Program Development HS-PRO-PD-15. Collaborate on a programming project using a defined workflow that includes design documentation and clear task roles.
Programming Variables & Data Storage HS-PRO-VD-16. Create a program that uses appropriate data structures to store, access, and manipulate data.
Programming Reading & Documenting HS-PRO-RD-17. Analyze how a segment of code works, including the role of parameters, return values, and data structures.
Programming Reading & Documenting HS-PRO-RD-18. Evaluate AI-generated code for accuracy, reliability, and alignment with program requirements.

Not addressed. We are actively studying productive roles for AI in introductory CS courses, but currently discourage its use as it tends to collapse authentic learning opportunities.
Programming Testing & Refining HS-PRO-TR-19. Evaluate a computing technology’s alignment with design specifications and responsible design values, including its correctness, effectiveness, and user experience.
Programming Testing & Refining HS-PRO-TR-20. Refine a computing technology based on user feedback, testing results, and responsible design values to improve its effectiveness and impact.
Data & Analysis Data Collection & Preparation HS-DAT-DC-21. Use a computational tool to generate simulated data that fits certain parameters for use in a simulation.
Data & Analysis Data Collection & Preparation HS-DAT-DC-22. Create a data dictionary that describes the name, type, and allowable values for each attribute and the logical relationships between variables in a dataset.
Data & Analysis Data Collection & Preparation HS-DAT-DC-23. Use a computational tool to clean and organize text-based data.
Data & Analysis Data Collection & Preparation HS-DAT-DC-24. Evaluate different approaches to verifying consistency and compliance with expected data types, values, and ranges.
Data & Analysis Data Investigation HS-DAT-DI-25. Create a data visualization of a multivariate dataset to answer a question or make a classification or prediction.
Data & Analysis Data Investigation HS-DAT-DI-26. Evaluate a data simulation or visualization to answer a data question, inform decision-making, and identify potential limitations.
Data & Analysis Impacts of Data Science HS-DAT-IM-27. Evaluate the societal, environmental, and ethical implications of large-scale data collection and processing, including within AI applications.
Data & Analysis Impacts of Data Science HS-DAT-IM-28. Debate the efficacy of a policy or regulation to ensure responsible data use.
Systems & Security Hardware & Software HS-SYS-HW-29. Differentiate an operating system as a special type of software that manages both the hardware and other software components of a computing system, including handling memory and peripherals.
Systems & Security Hardware & Software HS-SYS-HW-30. Demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of a physical or simulated computing device to address a task or problem.
Systems & Security Security HS-SYS-SE-31. Identify different types of cybersecurity and physical security measures and the trade-offs for users, data, and devices.
Systems & Security Security HS-SYS-SE-32. Classify the causes and impacts of security breaches and social engineering attacks for individuals, industries, communities, and governments.
Systems & Security Security HS-SYS-SE-33. Formulate a solution to a security flaw in a given system.
Systems & Security Networks HS-SYS-NT-34. Diagram a network of computing systems, including hardware and software.
Systems & Security Networks HS-SYS-NT-35. Analyze how the internet functions as a network of networks and how it differs from other types of networks.
Systems & Security Impacts of Computing Systems HS-SYS-IM-36. Evaluate the rationale behind a law or policy governing the design and use of computing systems.
Systems & Security Impacts of Computing Systems HS-SYS-IM-37. Investigate how computing systems and infrastructure impact society and the environment, identifying who is affected and why.
Computing & Society History of Computing HS-SOC-HI-38. Analyze the historical trajectory of a specific computing technology and how its development is linked to societal and environmental factors.
Computing & Society History of Computing HS-SOC-HI-39. Propose modifications to an existing policy or piece of legislation that encourages ethical innovation and minimizes societal risks associated with technology.
Computing & Society Emerging Technologies HS-SOC-ET-40. Evaluate the fundamental technological differences between an emerging technology and established technologies and how those differences influence computing.
Computing & Society Emerging Technologies HS-SOC-ET-41. Evaluate the societal and environmental impacts of an emerging technology, including those that lead to inequities in access and outcomes.
Computing & Society Emerging Technologies HS-SOC-ET-42. Design a conceptual solution to a real-world problem using an emerging technology, analyzing its potential benefits and harms.
Computing & Society Humans & Computing HS-SOC-HU-43. Evaluate how human choices in using, designing, deploying, and regulating computing technologies have risks, benefits, and long-term impacts.
Computing & Society Humans & Computing HS-SOC-HU-44. Debate perspectives on differences between human and artificial intelligence and their implications for consciousness, ethics, and human responsibility.
Computing & Society Career Exploration HS-SOC-CE-45. Analyze how diverse teams of people use computational thinking and computing technologies to solve problems and express ideas.
Computing & Society Career Exploration HS-SOC-CE-46. Connect computing knowledge and skills acquired to students' personal goals and career aspirations.