(1) There is created in the department the computer science education grant program to provide money to public schools or school districts in order to increase enrollment or participation of traditionally underrepresented students in computer science education.
The department shall administer the grant program in accordance with state boardrules. The department shall accept and review grant applications received from public schools or school districts and shall make recommendations to the state board for the award of grants. In making its recommendations, the department shall consider the priorities contained in subsection (5) of this section. The state board shall select the grant recipients and the amount of each grant.
Pursuant to article 4 of title 24, the state board shall promulgate rules necessary forthe implementation of the grant program, including rules relating to:
(a) The application process, including application requirements and deadlines. The application process must include, at a minimum:
(I) Data regarding the total number of students who are currently enrolled or participating in computer science education activities offered by the applicant, if any, disaggregated based on:
Gender;
Race and ethnicity;
Students who are enrolled in special education services or programs, as defined insection 22-20-103 (23);
Students who are English language learners, as defined in section 22-24-103 (4); and
Students who are eligible for free or reduced-cost lunch pursuant to the provisions ofthe federal "Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act", 42 U.S.C. sec. 1751 et seq.;
A description of the computer science education activities currently offered by thepublic school or school district applicant, if any, including whether any advanced placement computer science courses are offered; and
A description of how technology equipment, including but not limited to hardware,software, or accessories, will be used to increase enrollment or participation of students described in subsection (3)(a)(I) of this section in computer science education activities. A grant application must not request more than fifty percent of the total grant award for technology equipment.
Criteria for the award of grants, including the priorities for awarding grants containedin subsection (5) of this section;
The amount and duration of the grants; and(d) The approved uses of the grant.
Notwithstanding subsection (3)(a)(I) of this section, if a demographic category described in subsection (3)(a)(I) of this section contains five or fewer students, that number on the application must be withheld in order to protect the identity of those students.
In awarding grants, the state board shall give priority to grant applications that:
(a) Demonstrate how the applicant will use the grant to serve:
A high-poverty student population;
A high percentage of minority students;
Students in rural areas; or
A high percentage of female students;
Expose students to diverse professionals within the computer science industry; or
Demonstrate a low number of computer science education activities offered in thepublic school or school district, if any.
(6) The general assembly shall appropriate two hundred fifty thousand dollars each year for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 fiscal years from the general fund to the department. The department shall distribute the money to the education providers that receive a grant.
Source: L. 2019: Entire part added, (HB 19-1277), ch. 353, p. 3256, § 1, effective August 2. L. 2020: (6) amended, (HB 20-1418), ch. 197, p. 940, § 5, effective June 30; (2) and (3)(b) amended, (HB 20-1402), ch. 216, p. 1049, § 40, effective June 30.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 20-1418, see section 1 of chapter 197, Session Laws of Colorado 2020.