(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – Jan. 9, 2026) — El Paso ISD continues to expand innovative learning opportunities for students and educators through El Paso Computes, a collaborative initiative with the City of El Paso and The University of Texas at El Paso focused on computer science, artificial intelligence (AI), and computational thinking education across K–12 classrooms.
According to a new regional report, El Paso Computes is making steady progress toward its three-year goal of preparing 750 teachers and reaching more than 20,000 K–12 students with foundational and advanced computing skills. EPISD is serving as the pilot district for the initiative, helping shape instructional practices and professional learning that will expand across the region.
El Paso Computes is supported by a $3 million investment from the City of El Paso and is designed to build long-term educational capacity by equipping teachers, strengthening educator preparation programs, and increasing access to hands-on learning opportunities for students, particularly in underserved communities.
“El Paso Computes strongly aligns with El Paso ISD’s commitment to deliver academic excellence and expanded opportunities for our students,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Lusk. “We are seeing firsthand how this program is empowering educators with new tools while inspiring students to build confidence, curiosity, and skills in technology-driven learning.”
Through the partnership, EPISD teachers are gaining access to professional development, coursework, and certification pathways that support instruction in coding, computational thinking, and responsible classroom use of AI.
Program Progress and Early Outcomes
Since its launch, El Paso Computes has demonstrated measurable progress and impact across educator training and student learning.
Teacher Training and Certification
• More than 287 current K–12 teachers and teacher residents across participating districts have engaged in El Paso Computes professional development and coursework.
• 64 educators have completed formal course requirements.
• More than 10 teachers have earned certification in grades 8–12 Computer Science.
• Faculty-led workshops have focused on computational thinking, AI literacy, coding fundamentals, prompt engineering, and responsible classroom use of AI.
Educator Preparation and Curriculum
• UTEP has launched TED 4550: Computational Thinking for Educators, now a required course embedded in its teacher preparation curriculum.
• All future teachers graduating from UTEP’s College of Education will receive foundational training in computational thinking and computer science concepts, strengthening long-term instructional capacity for EPISD and the region.
Student Learning Opportunities
• Summer cybersecurity and artificial intelligence camps served more than 190 middle and high school students in 2025, providing hands-on exposure to high-demand technology skills and career pathways.
Building Sustainable Capacity
• Thirty-seven UTEP and El Paso Community College faculty members have completed specialized training to strengthen instruction for future educators and ensure program sustainability.
An independent evaluation of El Paso Computes found statistically significant gains in participating teachers’ knowledge and confidence in computer science and AI, as well as increased comfort using AI tools responsibly to support instruction and student learning.
“El Paso Computes is an investment in our young people and in El Paso’s future,” said Mayor Renard U. Johnson. “By training teachers to bring coding, AI, and computational thinking into classrooms across the city, we are preparing students for the careers and industries growing here at home.”
Through El Paso Computes, El Paso ISD remains committed to ensuring students are prepared for a rapidly evolving world by providing equitable access to innovative learning experiences that support academic success and long-term opportunity.