Carson City schools present Skillstruck Launchpad as recommended elementary computer-science curriculum

The Carson City School District instructional team presented its recommendation to adopt Skillstruck Launchpad as the district’s core K–5 computer‑science curriculum following a district review process. The presentation at the board meeting summarized the selection rubric, public review, expected costs and an implementation timeline.

The review team, led by Rhonda Wallace, K–12 electives and computer‑science curriculum coordinator, told the board it evaluated the three Nevada Department of Education–approved elementary computer‑science options and scored them on teacher accessibility, equity and content alignment. “A well‑designed computer‑science curriculum must address accessibility for teachers,” Wallace said, and must align to state standards while providing vertical progression from kindergarten through fifth grade.

Tara Babula, a K–5 computer‑science teacher at Mark Twain Elementary, described the team’s needs assessment and said many elementary teachers currently rely on self‑created or externally purchased materials. “Many of our individual teachers are paying out of pocket or using classroom resources,” Babula said, arguing that a district‑selected…