102: A Study on the Application of CAPE as an Evaluation Framework in Computer Science Education Ecosystems

This paper explores applications of the CAPE (Capacity, Access, Participation, and Experience) framework to evaluate systemic inequities in computer science education (CSEd). Despite the growth of CSEd in recent decades, many students continue to face barriers in CSEd, such as limited access to quality CSEd instruction. The CAPE framework offers a multi-tiered lens for evaluating structural inequities across four key dimensions: Capacity, Access, Participation, and Experience. CAPE moves beyond individual student disparities to include systemic and institutional factors, enabling a more comprehensive evaluation of inequities within the CSEd education ecosystem. This paper synthesizes existing research on CAPE’s use in CSEd, presenting research from various educational contexts as case studies and demonstrating how CAPE has been employed as an evaluation framework to improve equity in the CSEd ecosystem. The findings highlight CAPE's adaptability and potential as a valuable resource for evaluating equity across diverse STEM educational ecosystems.

Stephanie Baker; Joshua Childs; Lisa Garbrecht; Miriam Jacobson;