Work in progress — A practical model for achieving gender parity in undergraduate computing: Change the system, not the student

This paper presents a systemic change model of undergraduate computing for accomplishing gender parity. Rather than view women as needing to be modified or repaired to fit the system, this model advocates changing the system to fit the needs of a wider range of students. Changing the system is a more sustainable approach to creating gender parity than providing extra support to students with less experience or background or students who are less likely to feel that people like themselves belong in computing. The systemic change model is founded in research specific to computing education, research on undergraduate retention in general, research on conceptions and misconceptions of computing careers, and research, theory, and practices of communication. The parts of the model and examples of practices that can change the system in ways consistent with research are presented.