Career Kickstart Cybersecurity 1: Networking Fundamentals Pilot

In the fall of 2024, Career Kickstart will launch a pilot program—an opportunity for 150 high schools to test our course framework for Cybersecurity 1: Networking Fundamentals. Applications are now closed.

The pilot application is open to schools, districts, and teachers in all U.S. states and the District of Columbia, but applicants in Colorado, Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas, and North Carolina are preferred.

Participant Profile

Here’s what we’re looking for in pilot teachers:

  • Teaching Experience: You’re currently teaching, or have recently taught, a course in networking, cybersecurity, or computer science. 
  • Commitment: You’re excited to participate and will complete the course with your students so they can take the exam at the end of the year, if they choose.
  • Collaboration: You enjoy (and have experience) working with other teachers to build and improve your course, share ideas, and learn from their practice. You believe that no one has a monopoly on the right idea and that students benefit when educators work together.
  • Engagement: You understand the importance of and are skilled at building student relationships. You encourage student voice and choice, and you prepare lessons that prioritize high levels of engagement. 
  • Applied Learning: You believe that students learn by doing and need to engage in productive struggle. You’re comfortable (and have experience) using a project- or problem-based instructional approach.
  • Innovation: You value creativity in the classroom, and you innovate in your instructional practices. You’re unafraid to try new techniques or strategies and encourage students to take risks. You recognize that innovation is an iterative process of improvement. 
  • Equity: You believe that every student can be successful, and you provide the support needed to ensure all students have equitable access to instructional content.
  • Curiosity: You’re interested in technology: how it works, why it sometimes doesn’t work, and how to fix it. You see yourself as a co-learner with students.

2024-25 Pilot Commitments

Schools or districts will:

  • Formally enroll in the pilot by reviewing and submitting a participation contract.
  • Identify a teacher who will participate in training in July 2024 and teach the pilot course during the 2024-25 school year.
  • Send the teacher to a multiday Career Kickstart Summer Institute (CKSI) July 15–19, 2024. Tuition is $600. College Board will cover all travel expenses associated with attending.
  • Encourage students to take the course assessment.

We encourage participating high schools to provide students with the GPA benefits they’d get by taking any AP course. 

Teachers will:

  • Use the Career Kickstart Cybersecurity 1: Networking Fundamentals course framework and administer the course assessment for the 2024-25 school year.
  • Use Career Kickstart instructional supports and lesson plans. 
  • Participate in the online Career Kickstart pilot teacher community.
  • Attend a multiday Career Kickstart Summer Institute (CKSI) July 15–19, 2024.
  • Provide regular feedback on the course framework and pilot.

Questions? Get in Touch

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