Research helps BootUp understand what works, measure what matters, and continuously improve equitable computer science and AI education helping more students, educators, and communities thrive.
Sustained professional learning increases teacher confidence and readiness.
Students show strong enthusiasm when coding is creative, collaborative, and meaningul.
Community partnerships are part of the infrastructure for sustainable CS and AI pathways
BootUp’s research examines teacher growth, student outcomes, family perspectives, coaching systems, and long-term district partnerships.
15,000+ Educators Impacted
1.2M+ Students Reached
What We Study
(Click below to learn more!)
Teacher Growth
Student Belonging
Family Perspectives
Coaching & Implementation
Leadership & Sustainability
Equity in CS and AI
Theory of Change
BootUp believes that when educators are equipped with high-quality, equity-centered computer science and AI curriculum, sustained professional learning, and implementation support, students are more likely to experience belonging, meaningful participation, and access to future-ready skills. Through research-informed practices and long-term partnerships with teachers, schools, and districts, BootUp works to expand equitable access to computer science and AI education and help create more inclusive pathways into technology, education, and future careers.
The IntersectCS Framework anchors BootUp’s equity-centered approach to curriculum, professional development, research, and organizational strategy. Grounded in research-based practices including culturally responsive pedagogy, inclusion, identity, and justice-centered computer science education, the framework guides how BootUp designs learning experiences and supports educators. IntersectCS helps ensure that every aspect of BootUp’s work advances meaningful participation, belonging, and opportunity for students across every community.
Research Reports
BootUp Evaluation Reports (2018 – Present) provide insights into the implementation, educator experiences, student engagement, and impact of BootUp's computer science and AI initiatives across schools and districts nationwide. To view the reports
BootUp research examines how educators build confidence, instructional capacity, and long-term readiness to teach computer science and AI through sustained professional learning, coaching, and classroom implementation.
Student Belonging
BootUp studies how identity-inclusive and culturally responsive pedagogy increases student belonging, participation, confidence, and engagement across diverse learning communities.
Family Perspectives
BootUp values the voices of families and caregivers to better understand how communities perceive computer science education and how schools can strengthen trust, communication, and opportunity for all students.
Coaching & Implementation
BootUp research explores how instructional coaching, classroom modeling, and district implementation systems support sustainable, high-quality computer science and AI teaching practices over time.
Leadership & Sustainablity
BootUp examines the systems, leadership structures, and long-term supports required for districts to sustain equitable computer science and AI education beyond initial adoption.
Equity in CS and AI
BootUp investigates how access, representation, pedagogy, and ethical AI literacy shape equitable learning opportunities so that every student can meaningfully participate in the future of technology.
Grant Programs
Jackson State (pre-service teachers) MS
Computer Science for Every Learner (Multi-lingual learners and EL teachers) Chicago
