The grants will assist with implementing a 2020 state law that requires high schools to offer computer science instruction starting July 1, 2022, and middle and elementary schools to provide computer science starting July 1, 2023. The goal with this funding, however, is for teachers to begin professional development in the summer of 2022 and for classroom instruction to begin in the fall of 2022.
This is possible thanks to a portion of a 2007 court-approved settlement of a class-action antitrust lawsuit filed against Microsoft Corp. being designated for this purpose. In addition to the $3.7 million provided, up to $300,000 will be spent to help districts and nonpublic schools develop local K-12 computer science plans as required by the 2020 state law. More details will be provided soon regarding the $300,000 for computer science plan development
School districts and accredited nonpublic schools may apply to receive grants in each of the grade bands, up to a total of $30,000.
Priority will be placed on awarding school districts and accredited nonpublic schools that do not currently offer computer science in one or more of the designated grade bands: K-5, 6-8 and 9-12. After adhering to that priority, awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information on how to apply, go to the Iowa Department of Education’s webpage.
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