Existing law establishes a system of public elementary and secondary schools in this state, and authorizes school districts and other local educational agencies to provide instruction to pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive. Existing law establishes a course of study for pupils in these grades.

This bill would establish the Computer Science Education Grant Pilot Program under the administration of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Under the program, eligible school districts local educational agencies, as defined, could apply to receive one-year grants under either or both of the 2 competitive grant pilot programs. One pilot program, the Computer Science Start-Up Courses Grant Pilot Program, would provide grants grants, not to exceed 2 years, to establish and maintain computer science courses in underserved areas and among pupils from groups historically underrepresented in the field of computer science, and the other grant pilot program, the Computer Science Educator Training Grant Pilot Program, would to provide professional development for educators teachers to teach computer science, either as a stand-alone course or as integrated into other courses.

The bill would authorize any school district local educational agency in the state to apply for participation in the pilot programs. program. The bill would specify minimum criteria to be applied by the Superintendent in evaluating applicant school districts local educational agencies for possible participation in the pilot programs, program, and authorize the Superintendent to convene an advisory group of consult with computer science experts to discuss and refine these criteria, as specified.

The bill would establish the Computer Science Education Grant Matching Account in the State Treasury. The bill would authorize the State Treasury to receive, and deposit into the account, any gifts, grants, or donations received for purposes of the bill from the federal government or private persons or entities. The bill would require school districts local educational agencies receiving grants under the bill to provide local matching resources, which may include in-kind donations, constituting an amount equaling the amount that would be allocated to the school district local educational agency from the Computer Science Education Grant Matching Account. The bill would express the intent of the Legislature that no moneys from the state General Fund be used to fund the grant pilot programs program established by the bill.

The bill would provide that the funds deposited in the account would be available, upon appropriation in the annual Budget Act or in another statute, to the Superintendent for purposes of the bill, provided that the Superintendent certifies, in writing, to the Director of Finance that there are sufficient funds, as defined, in the account to implement the bill. The bill would limit expenditures from the account to cover administrative costs to the State Department of Education to no more than 5% of the allocations made from the account in any fiscal year. The bill would authorize the Superintendent to refund to the donor all or a portion of any gift, grant, or donation made to the account by that donor if the funds received from that donor have not been encumbered because there are surplus funds in the account or because this provision has not become operative.

The bill would require the Superintendent to submit an annual report, containing specified data about the grant program, to the Governor and the Legislature on or before January 10, 2018, and on or before January 10 in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

The provisions of the bill would become inoperative on July 1, 2021, and would be repealed as of January 1, 2022.

Existing law establishes a system of public elementary and secondary schools in this state, and authorizes school districts and other local educational agencies to provide instruction to pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive. Existing law establishes a course of study for pupils in these grades.

This bill would establish the Computer Science Education Grant Pilot Program under the administration of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Under the program, eligible school districts could apply to receive one-year grants under either or both of the 2 competitive grant pilot programs. One pilot program, the Computer Science Start-Up Courses Grant Pilot Program, would provide grants to establish and maintain computer science courses in underserved areas, areas and among pupils from groups historically underrepresented in the field of computer science, and the other grant pilot program, the Computer Science Educator Training Grant Pilot Program, would provide professional development for educators to teach computer science, either as a stand-alone course or as integrated into other courses.

The bill would authorize any school district in the state to apply for participation in the pilot programs. The bill would specify minimum criteria to be applied by the Superintendent in evaluating applicant school districts for possible participation in the pilot programs, and authorize the Superintendent to convene an advisory group of computer science experts to discuss and refine these criteria, as specified.

The bill would establish the Computer Science Education Grant Matching Account in the State Treasury. The bill would authorize the State Treasury to receive, and deposit into the account, any gifts, grants, or donations received for purposes of the bill from the federal government or private persons or entities. The bill would require school districts receiving grants under the bill to provide local matching resources, which may include in-kind donations, constituting an amount equaling the amount that would be allocated to the school district from the Computer Science Education Grant Matching Account. The bill would express the intent of the Legislature that no moneys from the state General Fund be used to fund the grant pilot programs established by the bill.

The bill would continuously appropriate provide that the funds deposited in the account would be available, upon appropriation in the annual Budget Act or in another statute, to the Superintendent for purposes of the bill, provided that the Superintendent certifies, in writing, to the Director of Finance that there are sufficient funds, as defined, in the account to implement the bill. The bill would limit expenditures from the account to cover administrative costs to no more than 10% 5% of the allocations made from the account in any fiscal year. The bill would authorize the Superintendent to refund to the donor all or a portion of any gift, grant, or donation made to the account by that donor if the funds received from that donor have not been encumbered because there are surplus funds in the account or because this provision has not become operative.

The bill would require the Superintendent to submit an annual report, containing specified data about the grant program, to the Governor and the Legislature on or before January 10, 2018, and on or before January 10 in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

The provisions of the bill would become inoperative on July 1, 2021, and would be repealed as of January 1, 2022.

Existing law establishes a system of public elementary and secondary schools in this state, and authorizes school districts and other local educational agencies to provide instruction to pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive. Existing law establishes a course of study for pupils in these grades.

This bill would establish the Computer Science Education Grant Pilot Program under the administration of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Under the program, eligible school districts would could apply to receive funding one-year grants under either or both of the 2 competitive grant pilot programs. One grant pilot program, the Computer Science Start-Up Courses Grant program, Pilot Program, would provide grants to establish and maintain computer science courses, courses in underserved areas, and the other grant pilot program, the Computer Science Educator Training Grant program, Pilot Program, would provide professional development for educators to teach computer science, either as a stand-alone course or as integrated into other courses.

The bill would authorize any school district in the state to apply for participation in the program. pilot programs. The bill would specify minimum criteria to be applied by the Superintendent in evaluating applicant school districts for possible participation in the program, pilot programs, and authorize the Superintendent to convene an advisory group of computer science experts to discuss and refine these criteria, as specified.

The bill would establish the Computer Science Education Grant Matching Account in the State Treasury under the administration of the Superintendent. Treasury. The bill would authorize the Superintendent State Treasury to receive, and deposit into the account, matching funds received from school districts participating in the programs established under the bill, and any gifts, grants, or donations received for purposes of the bill from the federal government or private persons or entities. The bill would express the intent of the Legislature that no moneys from the state General Fund be used to fund the grant program pilot programs established by the bill. The

The bill would continuously appropriate the funds deposited in the account to the Superintendent for purposes of the bill, provided that the Superintendent certifies, in writing, to the Director of Finance that there are sufficient funds in the account to implement the bill. The bill would limit expenditures from the account to cover administrative costs to no more than 10% of the allocations made from the account in any fiscal year. The bill would authorize the Superintendent to refund to the donor all or a portion of any gift, grant, or donation made to the account by that donor if the funds received from that donor have not been encumbered because there are surplus funds in the account or because this provision has not become operative.

The bill would require the Superintendent to submit a an annual report, containing specified data about the grant program, to the Governor and the Legislature on or before January 1, 2019. 10, 2018, and on or before January 10 in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

This bill would make a nonsubstantive change to the definition of goal. establish the Computer Science Education Grant Program under the administration of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Under the program, eligible school districts would apply to receive funding under either or both of the 2 grant programs. One grant program, the Computer Science Start-Up Courses Grant program, would provide grants to establish and maintain computer science courses, and the other grant program, the Computer Science Educator Training Grant program, would provide professional development for educators to teach computer science, either as a stand-alone course or integrated into other courses.

Existing law sets standards and guidelines for educational programs for the public schools of the state, including establishing required courses of study for specific grades, and defines various terms for purposes of those provisions, including the term goal.

This bill would make a nonsubstantive change to the definition of goal.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair

2015 - 2016 Regular Session

AB 1258 (Chau) - Elementary and secondary education: Computer Science Education Grant Pilot Program.

This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File.

Bill Summary:

This bill requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction (Superintendent) to establish a computer science education grant pilot program for local educational agencies (LEA) to establish, expand and maintain computer science courses and provide professional development in computer science.

Fiscal Impact:

• Unknown costs to fund and administer the computer science education grant pilot program. The scope of the program depends upon private contributions and donations received by the California Department of Education (CDE). The CDE indicates that for every ten grants awarded it would need 0.5 position and $76,000. This would necessitate at least approximately $1.5 million in private funding for grant allocations. The need for resources would increase for every ten grants if more funding became available. (Special funds)
  
  

• Unknown local costs as LEAs with successful applications must match the amount they are awarded.

Background:

Existing law requires the Instructional Quality Commission, on or before July 31, 2019, to consider developing and recommending to the State Board of Education, K-12 computer science content standards pursuant to recommendations developed by a group of computer science experts. (Education Code § 60605.4)

Existing law requires the California State University and requests the University of California to develop guidelines for high school computer science courses to be approved for admission, and encourages the UC to ensure that computer science courses that satisfy the math subject area requirements for admission build upon fundamental math content in courses that align with the academic content standards developed by the Academic Content Standards Commission. (EC § 66205.5)

Proposed Law:

This bill requires the Superintendent to establish a public-private computer science education grant pilot program to remain in place until July 1, 2021. This competitive grant program is intended to support innovative ways to introduce students in underserved areas and student from groups historically underrepresented in the computer science field and for professional development of teachers to teach computer science. The Superintendent is required to give priority to local educational agencies (LEAs) with higher percentages of unduplicated students (the unduplicated count of English learners, low income, and foster youth students) and that represent the geographic and socioeconomic diversity of the state. LEAs are required to submit a plan with an itemized budget for use of the grant funds as well as identification of local matching resources constituting an amount equaling the amount that would be allocated to the LEA. Acceptable uses of grant funds are for purposes associated with the costs of establishing, maintaining, or expanding computer science courses, including instructional materials, hardware, software, and firmware, and to fund professional development related to computer science education.

This bill also establishes the Computer Science Education Grant Matching Account (Account) to fund the pilot program, including related administrative costs to the CDE, in which funding is made available in the annual Budget Act or in another statute. Funds residing in the Account are intended to be gifts, grants, or donations received from private persons or entities. In order for the Account to be operative, the Superintendent must certify, in writing, to the Department of Finance that there are enough funds to support at least two grants and the associated administrative costs. This bill prohibits administrative costs from exceeding five percent of the allocations made from the Account in any fiscal year. Unencumbered funds are required to be returned to their initial donors.

This bill provides Legislative intent that no moneys from the General Fund be used to fund the grant pilot program and that funding provided at the state level will be supplied by private contributions and donations, specifically from technology industries.

Finally, the Superintendent is required to submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature starting with the first report due January 10, 2018 providing specified information regarding the program’s applicants, participants, and outcomes.

Related Legislation:

AB 252 (Holden, 2015) establishes the Advanced Placement (AP) STEM Access Grant Program to award funds for the costs associated with a high school establishing or expanding its AP science, technology, engineering and mathematics curriculum. AB 252 is pending in this Committee.

Staff Comments:

This bill requires the Superintendent to establish a computer science education grant pilot program for LEAs to establish, expand and maintain computer science courses and provide related professional development. The level of funding for this program is unknown as it depends on future gifts and donations. However, CDE indicates that for every ten grants awarded, it would need 0.5 position and $76,000, which includes salary, benefits, and indirect costs. This bill provides that it is the Legislature’s intent that no funding from the General Fund be used to fund the grant pilot program, therefore all administrative costs would have to be covered by the funding raised for this program. This bill also prohibits expenditures from the Account covering administrative costs to exceed five percent of the grant allocations in a given year.

Given these parameters, the CDE would likely require at least $1.5 million in private funds to administer a program. This would be the minimum amount required in order for administrative costs to not exceed five percent of the grant allocations in a given year. This bill requires that at least two grants be awarded in order for the grant pilot program to be operational. Therefore, the number of grants that the CDE could award with the minimum about of $1.5 million would be between two and ten. Any additional grants awarded would require more CDE staff and a corresponding increase in the minimum amount of grant funds to be awarded.

If ten LEAs received $1.5 million in grant awards, they would have to match the funding of their individual grant award. For example if each of the ten LEAs received an equal award of $150,000, the LEA would have to match this amount with local funds (the bill specifies LCFF and private funding).

The CDE cites the following administrative activities required for the grant pilot program: development of the request for applications and notification to LEAs; acceptance, review, and scoring of applications; awarding successful applications and addressing award appeals; development of data collection for the required annual report to the Governor and Legislature; and monitoring and tracking funding in the Account to enable certification of sufficient funds and possible reimbursement to donors.

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SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Senator Carol Liu, Chair

2015 - 2016 Regular

Bill No: AB 1258

Subject: Elementary and secondary education: Computer Science Education Grant Pilot Program

SUMMARY

This bill requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to establish a computer science education grant pilot program for local educational agencies (LEA) to establish, expand and maintain computer science courses and provide professional development in computer science.

BACKGROUND

Existing law:

1. Requires the Instructional Quality Commission, on or before July 31, 2019, to consider developing and recommending to the State Board of Education, K-12 computer science content standards pursuant to recommendations developed by a group of computer science experts. (Education Code § 60605.4)
   
   

2. Requires the California State University (CSU) and requests the University of California (UC) to develop guidelines for high school computer science courses to be approved for admission, and encourages the UC to ensure that computer science courses that satisfy the math subject area requirements for admission build upon fundamental math content in courses that align with the academic content standards developed by the Academic Content Standards Commission. (EC § 66205.5)

ANALYSIS

This bill requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to establish a computer science education grant pilot program for LEA to establish, expand, and maintain computer science courses and provide professional development in computer science. Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires the SPI to establish a public-private computer science education grant pilot program through which a participating LEA may receive funding to establish and expand or maintain computer science courses, and to provide professional development for teachers to teach computer science, either as a stand-alone course or as integrated into other courses.
   
   

2. Establishes the grant pilot program as the Computer Science Education Grant Pilot Program, which is intended to support both of the following:
   
   

   1. Innovative ways to introduce students in underserved areas and students from groups historically underrepresented in the field of computer science who would not otherwise have those opportunities to study computer science and inspire them to enter computer science careers.
      
      

   2. Professional development for teachers to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to teach computer science, either as a stand-alone course or as integrated into other courses.
      
      

Eligibility criteria

3. Requires local educational agencies (LEA) to demonstrate at least two of the following criteria to be eligible for a grant:
   
   

   1. Engaged and committed leadership in support of introducing students who would not otherwise have opportunities to study computer science.
      
      

   2. A plan to engage these students with the subject matter of computer science.
      
      

   3. That certificated staff of the LEA are appropriately trained to carry out the plan.
      
      

   4. The capacity to maximize the use of grant resources by addressing the availability of appropriate physical space and technology, projected enrollment, and other specific requirements set forth by the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI).
      
      

   5. A history of successful partnerships within the community and partner support for computer science. Partnership support may include supplying materials or technology, instruction support, internships, mentorships, and apprenticeships.
      
      

   6. The capacity to continue in the school years succeeding the initial grant year or years.
      
      

4. Requires the SPI to give priority for awarding grants to applicant LEAs with higher percentages of unduplicated students pursuant to the local control funding formula and as much as feasible, award grants to LEAs that collectively represent the geographic and socioeconomic diversity of the State.
   
   

5. Authorizes the SPI to consult with computer science experts to discuss and refine the eligibility criteria, and authorizes the SPI to consult with the panel of experts to be convened to develop the computer science content standards pursuant to current law.
   
   
   
   

Application

6. Requires an applicant local education agencies (LEA) to submit a specific plan, developed in consultation with teachers employed by the applicant LEA, for either, or both, of the following:
   
   

   1. A computer science course designed to be of maximum value in meeting the particular needs of the students of that LEA, including students from groups historically underrepresented in the field of computer science.
      
      

   2. Professional development for teachers employed by that LEA to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to teach computer science to the LEA students, either as a stand-alone course or as integrated into other courses.
      
      

7. Requires the grant application to be on a form developed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) and include, at a minimum, an itemized budget for the use of the grant funds, an identification of local matching resources constituting an amount equaling the amount that would be allocated from the grant pilot program, and an agreement by the grant recipient to provide the SPI with the data needed to complete the report (see #17).
   
   

Grant awards

8. Authorizes grant funds to be used for purposes associated with the costs of establishing or expanding computer science courses, or maintaining computer science courses that were previously established or expanded pursuant to this bill, including instructional materials, hardware, software, and firmware, and to fund professional development related to computer science education for participating teachers in accordance with the submitted plan.
   
   

9. Requires the SPI to award grants, not to exceed two years in duration, to applicant LEAs deemed eligible by the SPI. This bill authorizes a LEA that receives a grant to apply for a grant in a subsequent year, and prohibits grants from being automatically renewed for an additional year. This bill prohibits the SPI from awarding grants unless he or she determines there are sufficient funds in the Computer Science Education Grant Matching Account (see #10).
   
   

Matching Account

10. Establishes the Computer Science Education Grant Matching Account in the State Treasury to be used solely and exclusively for the grant pilot program pursuant to this bill. The purpose of the account is to provide funds for the grant pilot program.
    
    

11. Requires grants, and related administrative costs, to be funded by a combination of funds from the account and matching funds provided by a participating LEA. This bill requires a LEA that receives a grant to provide local matching resources, which may include in-kind donations, constituting an amount equal to the amount that

would be allocated to the local educational agencies (LEA) from the account. This bill prohibits expenditures from the account, with respect to a particular grant, from exceeding the amount of corresponding matching funds.

12. Authorizes the State Treasury to receive, and deposit into the Computer Science Education Grant Matching Account, any gifts, grants, or donations received from private persons or entities.
    
    

13. Requires the funds deposited in the account to be available, upon appropriation in the annual Budget Act or in another statute, to the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), for the purpose of funding grants and covering related administrative costs to the California Department of Education (CDE). This bill requires administrative costs to be kept to a minimum, and in no event are expenditures from the account to the CDE to exceed 5% of the allocations made from the account in any fiscal year.
    
    

14. Requires unencumbered funds to be returned to their initial donors. This bill authorizes the SPI to refund to the donor all or a portion of any gift, grant, or donation made if the funds received from the donor have not been encumbered because the SPI has determined that there are surplus funds in the account or because the provisions of this bill have not become operative due to a lack of sufficient funds.
    
    

15. Prohibits the provisions related to the account from becoming operative unless and until the SPI certifies, in writing, to the Director of Finance that there are sufficient funds in the account to implement the grant pilot program. This bill defines “sufficient funds” as an amount sufficient to support at least two grants and the associated administrative costs to the CDE.
    
    

16. States legislative intent that no moneys from the state General Fund be used to fund the grant pilot program established by this bill.
    
    

Miscellaneous

17. Requires the SPI to submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature on the grant pilot program. This bill requires the report to be submitted by January 10, beginning in 2018, and annually thereafter through 2021. This bill requires the report to include, but not be limited to, all of the following data:
    
    

    1. The number of applicants and grants awarded annually.
       
       

    2. The number of student participants annually, the number of unduplicated students and students from groups historically underrepresented in the field of computer science, who have taken a computer science course or a computer science course with a teacher trained pursuant to the grant pilot program, and to the extent available, any increase in the number of students who enroll or intend to enroll in computer science programs at postsecondary educational institutions.
       
       

    3. The increase in the number of courses offered and teachers trained in computer science as a result of the grant pilot program.
       
       

    4. The amount of grant funds awarded each fiscal year, classified by local educational agencies (LEA).
       
       

18. Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to provide notice of the grant pilot program to all LEAs and encourage them to apply for participation. This bill authorizes any LEA to apply for participation in the grant pilot program. This bill defines “local educational agency” as a charter school, school district, or county office of education.
    
    

19. States legislative findings and declarations relative to the benefits of computer science education and limited access to computer science by underrepresented students.
    
    

20. Sunsets the provisions of this bill on July 1, 2021.

STAFF COMMENTS

1. Need for the bill. According to the author, “As we continue to move towards integrating computer science into all K-12 classrooms, we must also improve the future participation and success of underrepresented populations in this field of study. When we look at the number of students that took the Advanced Placement Computer Science exam in California in 2013, out of the 4,964 students, 74 were African-American, 392 were Hispanic, and 1.074 were females. Consequently, there is a need to incentivize school districts to support innovative ways to introduce and engage students from historically underrepresented groups to computer science. At the same time, it is critical to encourage school districts to offer professional development to their teachers on this emerging subject matter.”
   
   

2. Timing. Existing law requires the Instructional Quality Commission, on or before July 31, 2019, to consider developing and recommending to the State Board of Education, K-12 computer science content standards pursuant to recommendations developed by a group of computer science experts. One could argue that the development or expansion of computer science courses and professional development for teachers should follow the adoption of academic content standards in computer science. On the other hand, it may be necessary to first establish the Computer Science Education Grant Matching Account to secure necessary funding for these efforts.
   
   

3. Teaching credentials in computer science. California has three Single Subject Teaching Credentials (Mathematics, Business, and Industrial and Technology Education) and a supplementary authorization (Computer Concepts and Applications) that authorize a teacher to provide instruction in computer science. The Commission on Teacher Credentialing is currently modifying their Computer Concepts and Applications authorization to reflect a change in focus from teaching

basic computer use, keyboarding, and software application to broader preparation in computer science education. Changes to the authorization are expected later this year.

4. Fiscal impact. This bill has been amended since the last fiscal analysis. According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee’s analysis of the prior version of this bill, the bill would impose:
   
   

   1. Unknown administrative costs to the California Department of Education (CDE), likely in excess of $300,000. Costs to administer these new grants will depend on the size and scope of the grants. For example, a grant program that awards $1 million dollars to 15 school districts will necessitate a different staffing level than a program that provides $10 million dollars to 150 school districts. Staff will be needed to monitor account funds, develop requests for applications, review and score applications, notify grant recipients and collect data to comply with annual reporting requirements. Further, CDE indicates they do not currently have staff or resources available to promote or advocate for donations and/or grants from non-state sources.
      
      

   2. This bill does not provide a specific grant amount and specifies that the funding shall be contingent upon "sufficient funds" in the newly created fund and subject to an appropriation by the Legislature. The source of revenue for the fund will be gifts, grants or donations.
      
      

5. Related and prior legislation.
   
   RELATED LEGISLATION
   
   AB 252 (Holden, 2015) establishes the Advanced Placement (AP) STEM Access Grant Program through July 1, 2021, for purposes of awarding funds to cover the costs associated with a high school establishing or expanding its AP science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curriculum. AB 252 is pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
   
   PRIOR LEGISLATION
   
   AB 1530 (Chau, 2014) required the Superintendent of Public Instruction to consider identifying, developing or revising model curriculum on computer science for kindergarten - 6^th grade. AB 1530 was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
   
   AB 1540 (Hagman, 2014) expanded the opportunity for high school students to enroll in community college computer science courses and makes other changes to concurrent enrollment provisions. AB 1540 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
   
   AB 2210 (Ting, 2014) required the Instructional Quality Commission to consider incorporating computer science curriculum content into the mathematics, science,

history-social science, and language arts frameworks. AB 2210 was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

SUPPORT

California State PTA

California Teachers Association

OPPOSITION

None received.

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ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 1258

Author:(Chau)

As Amended Ver:May 6, 2015

Majority vote

SUMMARY: Establishes a Computer Science Start-Up Courses Grant Pilot program and a Computer Science Educator Training Grant Pilot program, for the purpose of providing grants to school districts to establish and maintain computer science courses and provide professional development for educators to teach computer science. Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to establish a public-private computer science education grant program through which an eligible school district may receive funding to establish and maintain computer science courses and provide professional development for educators to teach computer science, either as a stand-alone course or integrated into other courses.

2. Establishes the program as consisting of two parts: the Computer Science Start-Up Courses Grant Pilot program and the Computer Science Educator Training Grant Pilot program. Permits school districts to apply for participation in either or both of those two programs.

3. Requires the SPI to provide notice of this program to all school districts and encourage them to apply for participation in this program.

4. Requires the SPI to award one-year grants to school districts to applicants deemed to be eligible, and allows a school district that receives a grant to apply for a grant in a subsequent year, but requires that grants not be automatically renewed.

5. States that in order to be deemed eligible for the program, a school district must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Demonstrate engaged and committed leadership in support of introducing students to computer science who would not otherwise have such opportunities.

2. Demonstrate a plan to engage these students with the subject matter of computer science.

3. Demonstrate that school district staff are appropriately trained to carry out the plan.

4. Demonstrate capacity to maximize the use of grant resources by addressing the availability of appropriate physical space and technology, projected enrollment, and other specific requirements set forth by the SPI.

5. Demonstrate a history of successful partnerships within the community and partner support for computer science. Partnership support may include, supplying materials or technology, instruction support, internships, mentorships, and apprenticeships.

6. Demonstrate the capacity to continue in the school years following the initial grant year.

6. States that the SPI may convene an advisory group of computer science experts to discuss and refine the eligibility criteria, and allows the SPI to use the same group of computer science experts selected to produce state standards in computer science.

7. Requires the SPI to give priority in making grants for both programs to school districts with higher percentages of low income, English learner, and foster youth, and award grants to school districts that reflect the socioeconomic and geographic diversity of the state.

8. Requires an applicant to submit a specific plan, developed in consultation with teachers employed by the applicant school district, for an introductory course in computer science designed to be of maximum value in meeting the particular needs of students in that district, including pupils from groups historically underrepresented in the field of computer science.

9. States that grant funds awarded under this section may be used for one-time purposes associated with the costs of establishing or expanding computer science courses, including teacher recruitment, professional development, instructional materials, laboratory supplies and equipment, and facilities remodeling.

10. Requires that the grant application for both programs shall be on a form developed by the SPI and shall include, at a minimum, an itemized budget for the one-time use of the grant funds, an identification of local matching resources constituting an amount equaling the amount that would be allocated to the school district, and an agreement by the grant recipient to provide the Superintendent the data needed to complete the report required by the act.

11. States that the Computer Science Educator Training Grant program is intended to support professional development for educators to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to teach computer science, either as a stand-alone course or integrated into other courses.

12. Requires the SPI to award training grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible educators employed by applicant school districts. Requires a grant recipient to submit a specific plan for professional development for educators to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to teach computer science, either as a stand-alone course or integrated into other courses.

13. States that grant funds shall be allocated to fund professional development and training for educators on computer science education.

14. Establishes the Computer Science Education Grant Matching Account in the State Treasury, to provide matching funds for the Computer Science Start-Up Courses Grant Pilot Program and the Computer Science Educator Training Grant Pilot Program. Requires that a school district that receives a grant under this chapter shall provide a 50% local match, which may include in-kind donations.

15. Requires that grants and related administrative costs to be funded by a combination of funds from the account and matching funds provided by a participating school district.

16. Authorizes the State Treasury to receive, and deposit into the account, any gifts, grants, or donations received for purposes of this chapter from the federal government or private persons or entities. States the intent of the Legislature that no funds from the state General Fund be used to support the grant program established by this bill.

17. Requires that the funds deposited in the Computer Science Education Grant Matching Account be subject to Budget Act or other appropriation, for purposes of funding the grants established under this chapter and covering related administrative costs, which must be limited to 5% of the allocations made in any fiscal year.

18. Authorizes the SPI to refund to donors all or a portion of any gift, grant, or donation made to the account by that donor if the funds have not been encumbered due to surplus funding or the section has not become operative because there are insufficient funds for this purpose.

19. Requires that the program not become operative unless and until the SPI certifies, in writing, to the Director of Finance that there are sufficient funds, defined as enough to support at least two grants in one of the programs established by this bill, to implement these programs.

20. Requires the SPI report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on the programs by January 10, 2018, and annually on that date until January 10, 2021. Requires the report to include all of the following data:

1. The number of applicants.

2. The number of participants.

3. Increase in the number of courses offered and teachers trained in computer science as a result of the grants made under this chapter.

4. For the Computer Science Start-up Courses Grant Pilot Program, the increase in the number of students, including unduplicated students, and students from groups historically underrepresented in the field of computer science, who have taken a computer science course, and to the extent available, any increase in the number of pupils who enroll or intend to enroll in computer science programs at postsecondary educational institutions.

5. For the Computer Science Educator Training Grant Pilot Program, the increase in the number of pupils, including unduplicated pupils and pupils from groups historically underrepresented in the field of computer science, who have taken a course with an educator trained as a result of this program.

6. The amount of grant funds awarded each fiscal year, classified by school district.

21. Sunsets the programs on January 1, 2022.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Requires the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) to consider developing and recommending to the State Board of Education, on or before July 31, 2019, computer science content standards for kindergarten and grades one to 12 pursuant to recommendations developed by a group of computer science experts.

2. Requires that, if the governing board of a school district requires more than two courses in mathematics for graduation from high school, the governing board of the school district may award a pupil up to one mathematics course credit for successfully completing a "category C" approved computer science course.

3. Requires that, on or before July 31, 2019, the IQC consider developing and recommending to the state board computer science content standards for kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, pursuant to recommendations developed by a group of computer science experts.

4. Requires the Trustees of the California State University, and requests the Regents of the University of California, to establish a uniform set of academic standards, and create guidelines for high school computer science courses, to satisfy the "A-G" subject requirements for the area of mathematics for purposes of recognition for undergraduate admission.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee:

1) Unknown administrative costs to CDE, likely in excess of $300,000. Costs to administer these new grants will depend on the size and scope of the grants. For example, a grant program that awards $1 million dollars to 15 school districts will necessitate a different staffing level than a program that provides $10 million dollars to 150 school districts. Staff will be needed to monitor account funds, develop requests for applications, review and score applications, notify grant recipients and collect data to comply with annual reporting requirements. Further, CDE indicates they do not currently have staff or resources available to promote or advocate for donations and/or grants from non-state sources.

2) This bill does not provide a specific grant amount and specifies that the funding shall be contingent upon "sufficient funds" in the newly created fund and subject to an appropriation by the Legislature. The source of revenue for the fund will be gifts, grants or donations.

COMMENTS:

Need for the bill. The author’s office states, "California policymakers, business leaders, and educators understand the value of computer science education, as evidenced by the numerous bills signed into law in 2013 to 2014. As we continue to move towards integrating computer science into all K-12 classrooms, we must also improve the future participation and success of underrepresented populations in this field of study. When we look at the number of students that took the Advanced Placement Computer Science exam in California in 2013, out of the 4,964 students, 74 were African American, 392 were Hispanic, and 1,074 were females. Consequently, there is a need to incentivize school districts to support innovative ways to introduce and engage students from historically underrepresented groups to computer science. At the same time, it is critical to encourage school districts to offer professional development to their teachers on this emerging subject matter."

Teacher certification in computer science. In a 2013 report titled Bugs in the System: Computer Science Teacher Certification in the U.S., the Computer Science Teachers Association writes that, nationally, teacher certification programs in this subject are confused, disparate and sometimes "absurd," and that the process is "typified by confounding processes and illogical procedures—bugs in the system that keep it from functioning as intended." They recommend, among other changes, the establishment of pathways for people transitioning from industry to teaching, the development of a Praxis Computer Science examination, and requirements for teacher preparation institutions to include programs to prepare computer science teachers.

California has three Single Subject Teaching Credentials (Mathematics, Business, and Industrial and Technology Education) and a supplementary authorization (Computer Concepts and Applications) that authorize a teacher to provide instruction in computer science. The Commission on Teacher Credentialing is currently modifying their Computer Concepts and Applications authorization to reflect a change in focus from teaching basic computer use, keyboarding, and software application to broader preparation in computer science education. Changes to the authorization are expected later this year.

Analysis Prepared by: Tanya Lieberman / ED. / (916) 319-2087 FN: 0000716

Date of Hearing: May 20, 2015

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Jimmy Gomez, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1258

Author:(Chau) – As Amended Ver:May 6, 2015

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill establishes through January 1, 2022, a public-private Computer Science Education Grant Pilot Program, to provide one-time competitive grants to school districts to establish and maintain computer science courses and provide professional development for educators to teach computer science, either as a stand-alone course or as integrated into other courses. Specifically, this bill:

1. Provides for two types of grants: start-up course grants or educator training grants and sets forth eligibility criteria; including, the ability to provide matching funds equal to the grant amount and the capacity to continue programs beyond the initial grant authorization.

   1. Specifies the start-up course grant is intended to support innovative ways to introduce pupils in underserved areas and pupils from groups historically underrepresented in the field of computer science who would not otherwise have those opportunities to computer science and inspire them to enter computer science careers.

   2. Specifies the educator training grant is intended to support professional development for educators to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to teach computer science, either as a stand-alone course or as integrated into other courses.

2. Requires the program to be developed and administered by the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI). Authorizes the SPI to convene an advisory group of computer science experts to discuss and refine the eligibility criteria. Requires the SPI to submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature on the number of grant applicants, grants awarded and courses/trainings offered.

3. Specifies grant funds may be used for one-time purposes associated with the costs of establishing or expanding computer science courses, including teacher recruitment, professional development, instructional materials, laboratory supplies and equipment, and facilities remodeling. Priority for funding shall be for districts that serve high percentages of low income, English Learner or Foster Youth.

4. Establishes a Computer Science Education Grant Matching Account in the State Treasury to fund the pilot programs and allow for receipt of matching funds. Provides that funds may be used to support administrative costs to the SPI, not to exceed 5% of the fund balance. Specifies Legislative intent that no moneys from the General Fund be used to fund the grant pilot programs.

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. Unknown administrative costs to CDE, likely in excess of $300,000. Costs to administer these new grants will depend on the size and scope of the grants. For example, a grant program that awards $1 million dollars to 15 school districts will necessitate a different staffing level than a program that provides $10 million dollars to 150 school districts. Staff will be needed to monitor account funds, develop requests for applications, review and score applications, notify grant recipients and collect data to comply with annual reporting requirements.

2. The bill does not provide a specific grant amount and specifies that the funding shall be contingent upon "sufficient funds" in the newly created fund and subject to an appropriation by the Legislature. The source of revenue for the fund will be gifts, grants or donations. CDE indicates they do not currently have staff or resources available to promote or advocate for donations and/or grants from non-state sources.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the author, early exposure and equal access is essential for all students to excel in the fundamentals of computer science and its connection to innovation and emerging technologies.

2. New program. This bill establishes a new grant program.  With the establishment of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) in 2013, approximately three-quarters of programs dedicated for specific purposes were eliminated, and the funds previously dedicated for these programs were incorporated into the LCFF.  LCFF funds can be used for any purpose in accordance with the LCAP, which is developed locally to meet the needs of each district.  The goals and strategies of this bill can currently be developed locally and independently through public-private partnerships.

3. Related legislation. AB 252 (Holden), pending in this committee, would establish a grant program to award funds to cover the costs associated with a high school establishing or expanding its advanced placement science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum.

Analysis Prepared by: Misty Feusahrens / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 29, 2015

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Patrick O'Donnell, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1258

Author:Chau – As Amended Ver:April 21, 2015

SUBJECT: Elementary and secondary education: Computer Science Education Grant Pilot Program

SUMMARY: Establishes a Computer Science Start-Up Courses Grant Pilot program and a Computer Science Educator Training Grant Pilot program, for the purpose of providing grants to school districts to establish and maintain computer science courses and provide professional development for educators to teach computer science. Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to establish a public-private computer science education grant program through which an eligible school district may receive funding to establish and maintain computer science courses and provide professional development for educators to teach computer science, either as a stand-alone course or integrated into other courses.

2. States that any school district may apply for participation in this pilot program.

3. Establishes the program as consisting of two parts: the Computer Science Start-Up Courses Grant Pilot program and the Computer Science Educator Training Grant Pilot program. Permits school districts to apply for participation in either or both of those two programs.

4. Requires the SPI to provide notice of this program to all school districts and encourage them to apply for participation in this program.

5. Requires the SPI to award one-year grants to school districts to applicants deemed to be eligible.

6. Allows a school district that receives a grant to apply for a grant in a subsequent year, but requires that grants not be automatically renewed.

7. Prohibits the SPI from awarding a grant unless the he or she determines that there are sufficient funds in the Computer Science Education Grant Matching Account

8. States that in order to be deemed eligible for the program, a school district must meet all of the following criteria:

1. demonstrate engaged and committed leadership in support of introducing students to computer science who would not otherwise have such opportunities

2. demonstrate a plan to engage these students with the subject matter of computer science

3. demonstrate that school district staff are appropriately trained to carry out the plan

4. demonstrate capacity to maximize the use of grant resources by addressing the availability of appropriate physical space and technology, projected enrollment, and other specific requirements set forth by the SPI

5. demonstrate a history of successful partnerships within the community and partner support for computer science. Partnership support may include, supplying materials or technology, instruction support, internships, mentorships, and apprenticeships

6. demonstrate the capacity to continue in the school years following the initial grant year.

9. States that the SPI may convene an advisory group of computer science experts to discuss and refine the eligibility criteria, and allows the SPI to use the same group of computer science experts selected to produce state standards in computer science.

10. States that the Computer Science Start-up Courses Pilot Grant program is intended to support innovative ways to introduce pupils who would not otherwise have opportunities to computer science and inspire them to enter computer science careers.

11. Requires the SPI to give priority in making grants for both programs to school districts with higher percentages of low income, English learner, and foster youth, and award grants to school districts that reflect the socioeconomic and geographic diversity of the state.

12. Requires an applicant to submit a specific plan for an introductory course in computer science designed to be of maximum value in meeting the particular needs of students in that district.

13. States that the Computer Science Educator Training Grant program is intended to support professional development for educators to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to teach computer science, either as a stand-alone course or integrated into other courses.

14. Requires the SPI to award training grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible educators employed by applicant school districts. Requires a grant recipient to submit a specific plan for professional development for educators to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to teach computer science, either as a stand-alone course or integrated into other courses.

15. States that grant funds shall be allocated to fund professional development and training for educators on computer science education.

16. Establishes the Computer Science Education Grant Matching Account in the State Treasury, to provide matching funds for the Computer Science Start-Up Courses Grant Pilot Program and the Computer Science Educator Training Grant Pilot Program.

17. Requires that grants and related administrative costs to be funded by a combination of funds from the account and matching funds provided by a participating school district.

18. States the intent of the Legislature that no funds from the state General Fund be used to support the grant program established by this chapter.

19. Authorizes the State Treasury to receive, and deposit into the account, any gifts, grants, or donations received for purposes of this chapter from the federal government or private persons or entities.

20. Requires that the funds deposited in the Computer Science Education Grant Matching Account be continuously appropriated to the SPI for purposes of funding the grants established under this chapter and covering related administrative costs, which must be limited to 10 percent of the allocations made in any fiscal year.

21. Authorizes the SPI to refund to donors all or a portion of any gift, grant, or donation made to the account by that donor if the funds have not been encumbered due to surplus funding or the section has not become operative because there are insufficient funds for this purpose.

22. Requires that the program not become operative unless and until the SPI certifies, in writing, to the Director of Finance that there are sufficient funds in the account to implement these programs.

23. Requires the SPI report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on the programs by January 10, 2018 and annually on that date until January 10, 2021. Requires the report to include all of the following data:

1. the number of applicants

2. the number of participants

3. the rate of compliance with academic and employment requirements

4. an assessment of the success rates for each participating school district

5. the amount of grant funds awarded each fiscal year, classified by school district

24. Sunsets the programs on January 1, 2022.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Requires the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) to consider developing and recommending to the State Board of Education (SBE), on or before July 31, 2019, computer science content standards for kindergarten and grades 1 to 12 pursuant to recommendations developed by a group of computer science experts.

2. Requires that, if the governing board of a school district requires more than two courses in mathematics for graduation from high school, the governing board of the school district may award a pupil up to one mathematics course credit for successfully completing a “category C” approved computer science course.

3. Requires that, on or before July 31, 2019, the IQC consider developing and recommending to the state board computer science content standards for kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, pursuant to recommendations developed by a group of computer science experts.

4. Requires the Trustees of the California State University, and requests the Regents of the University of California, to establish a uniform set of academic standards, and create guidelines for high school computer science courses, to satisfy the “A-G” subject requirements for the area of mathematics for purposes of recognition for undergraduate admission at their respective institutions.

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown

COMMENTS:

Need for the bill. The author’s office states, “Computer science and the emerging technologies it enables directly impact California’s industries and economy. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is predicted that by the year 2020, 4.6 million jobs will be in computing or information technology, which is more than all other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields combined.

California policymakers, business leaders, and educators understand the value of computer science education, as evidenced by the numerous bills signed into law in 2013-2014. As we continue to move towards integrating computer science into all K-12 classrooms, we must also improve the future participation and success of underrepresented populations in this field of study. When we look at the number of students that took the Advanced Placement Computer Science exam in California in 2013, out of the 4,964 students, 74 were African American, 392 were Hispanic, and 1,074 were females. Consequently, there is a need to incentivize school districts to support innovative ways to introduce and engage students from historically underrepresented groups to computer science. At the same time, it is critical to encourage school districts to offer professional development to their teachers on this emerging subject matter.

Early exposure and equal access is essential for all students to excel in the fundamentals of computer science and its connection to innovation and emerging technologies. As the world continues to move towards a technology intensive society, we as state leaders must do more to bring computer science to all California students.”

Teacher certification in computer science. In a 2013 report titled Bugs in the System: Computer Science Teacher Certification in the U.S., the Computer Science Teachers Association writes that, nationally, teacher certification programs in this subject are confused, disparate and sometimes absurd,” and that the process is “typified by confounding processes and illogical procedures—bugs in the system that keep it from functioning as intended.” They recommend, among other changes, the establishment of pathways for people transitioning from industry to teaching, the development of a Praxis Computer Science examination, and requirements for teacher preparation institutions to include programs to prepare computer science teachers.

CTC changing its authorization in computer science. California has three Single Subject Teaching Credentials (Mathematics, Business, and Industrial and Technology Education) and a supplementary authorization (Computer Concepts and Applications) that authorize a teacher to provide instruction in computer science. The Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) is currently modifying their Computer Concepts and Applications authorization to reflect a change in focus from teaching basic computer use, keyboarding, and software application to broader preparation in computer science education. Changes to the authorization are expected later this year.

A new grant program in the era of local control. This bill establishes a new categorical program.  With the establishment of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) in 2013, approximately three-quarters of all categorical programs were eliminated, and the funds previously dedicated for the programs were incorporated into the LCFF.  The Committee may wish to consider whether the strategies proposed by this bill can be incorporated in a school district's Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and funded locally, either independently or through public-private partnerships.  LCFF can be used for any purpose in accordance with the LCAP, which is developed locally to meet the needs of each district. 

Recommended amendments. Staff recommends the following amendments:

1. Consistent with amendments made to AB 252 (Holden) by this Committee, staff recommends that the bill be amended to specify the purposes for which grant funds may be used in the start-up courses program. Specifically, staff recommends that the bill specify that the grant funds may be used for one-time purposes associated with the costs of establishing or expanding computer science courses, including teacher recruitment, professional development, instructional materials, laboratory supplies and equipment, and facilities remodeling.

2. Also consistent with amendments made to AB 252 (Holden) by this Committee staff recommends that the bill be amended to provide that the grant applications for both programs shall be on a form developed by the SPI and that the form include, at a minimum: an itemized budget for the one-time use of the grant funds, an identification of local matching resources constituting a 50% match, an agreement by the grant recipient to provide the SPI the data needed to complete the required report.

3. Add “students from groups historically underrepresented in the field of computer science” to the mentions of the students who are proposed to benefit from these programs in grant-making, program design, and reporting requirements (as shown below).

4. To parallel the requirements of the Educator Training Grant, staff recommends that the Start-Up Courses program also require in its application a specific plan for the development of courses.

5. In the report required to be submitted to the Legislature, replace “the rate of compliance with academic and employment requirements” with “the increase in the number of courses offered and teachers trained in computer science as a result of the grants made in the program.”

6. In the report required to be submitted to the Legislature replace “an assessment of the success rates for each participating school district” with “the increase in the number of students, including unduplicated pupils pursuant to 42238.02 and students from groups historically underrepresented in the field of computer science, who have taken a computer science course, and to the extent available, any increase in the number of students who enroll or intend to enroll in computer science programs at postsecondary institutions” and “the increase in the number of pupils, including unduplicated pupils pursuant to 42238.02 and students from groups historically underrepresented in the field of computer science, who have taken a course with an educator trained as a result of this program,” respectively.

7. Change the recipients of grants from “eligible educators” to “school districts for the support of educators” in Section 52977.

8. Require that the plan submitted as part of an application for the Educator Training Program be developed in consultation with teachers.

9. Delete the provision requiring that the funds for this program be continuously appropriated, limit administrative costs to 5% (instead of 10%), specify that the local matching requirement is 50% and that in-kind donations are eligible sources for the local match.

10. The implementation of this program is contingent upon the SPI certifying Department of Finance certifying that the program has sufficient funds, but “sufficient funds” is not defined. Staff recommends that it be defined to enough funds to support at least two grants in at least one of the programs.

Related legislation. AB 252 (Holden) of this Session would establish a grant program to award funds to cover the costs associated with a high school establishing or expanding its advanced placement STEM curriculum.

Prior legislation. AB 1539 (Hagman), Chapter 876, Statutes of 2014, requires the IQC to consider developing and recommending to the SBE, on or before July 31, 2019, computer science content standards for kindergarten and grades 1 to 12 pursuant to recommendations developed by a group of computer science experts.

AB 1530 (Chau) of the 2013-14 Session would have required the SPI to consider identifying existing model curricula for kindergarten to grade 6 on computer science. The bill would also require the SPI to consider the revision of existing, or the development of new, model curricula on computer science, and to consider submitting any model curricula revised or developed as a result of this bill to the SBE for adoption. This bill died in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

AB 1540 (Hagman) of the 2013-14 Session would have expanded opportunities for high school pupils to concurrently enroll in a community college to undertake one or more courses in computer science. This bill died in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

AB 2110 (Ting) of the 2013-14 Session would have required the IQC to consider incorporating computer science curriculum content into the mathematics, science, history-social science, and English language arts/English language development curriculum frameworks when those frameworks are next revised. This bill died in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

AB 1764 (Olsen), Chapter 888, Statutes of 2014, authorizes the governing board of a school district that requires more than 2 courses in mathematics for graduation to award a student up to one mathematics course credit for successfully completing an approved computer science course.

SB 1200 (Padilla), Chapter 158, Statutes of 2014, Requires the Trustees of the California State University, and requests the Regents of the University of California, to establish a uniform set of academic standards create guidelines for high school computer science courses, to satisfy the “A-G” subject requirements for the area of mathematics for purposes of recognition for undergraduate admission at their respective institutions.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

California Teachers Association

Microsoft Corporation

1 individual

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Tanya Lieberman / ED. / (916) 319-2087