In a focused effort to ramp up computer science and AI education, El Paso ISD's partnership with both the City of El Paso and The University of Texas at El Paso is making tangible strides. The initiative, known as El Paso Computes, pushes forward to not only prepare 750 teachers but also to reach over 20,000 K–12 students, as stated in a recent regional report. Aimed at instilling foundational and advanced computing skills, especially in underserved communities, this program has secured a substantial $3 million investment from the city.
With the superintendent's affirmation, EPISD, the pilot district for the initiative, is directly impacting instructional practices and professional learning across the area. "El Paso Computes strongly aligns with El Paso ISD’s commitment to deliver academic excellence and expanded opportunities for our students," Dr. Brian Lusk told El Paso ISD News. The educators are tapping into a wealth of resources, gaining access to professional development, certification paths, and coursework that support the responsible classroom use of AI.
Key developments include the training and certification of more than 287 educators, completion of formal course requirements by 64 of them, and enhanced capabilities with over 10 teachers now certified in grades 8–12 Computer Science. The push has not stopped at teacher preparedness; the curriculum overhaul also includes UTEP embedding its TED 4550: Computational Thinking for Educators course into the mandatory teacher preparation curriculum.
Student learning opportunities have not been left out of El Paso ISD's vision for a tech-forward educational system. Over 190 middle and high school students benefited from specialized summer camps focused on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence in 2025, helping them to get hands-on with in-demand technology skills. According to a report by El Paso ISD News, the program's sustainable capacity is being fortified, with thirty-seven UTEP and El Paso Community College faculty members having completed specialized training to ensure the initiative's longevity and effectiveness.
