Computer Science Curriculum and Professional Development Grants

Computer Science Curriculum and Professional Development Grants are available to help Iowa school districts and accredited nonpublic schools with the cost of providing high-quality computer science curriculum to students and aligned professional development to teachers. Associated equipment as well as stipends and substitute pay for teachers also may be covered. 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. 

Funding is available thanks to a portion of a 2007 court-approved settlement of a class-action antitrust lawsuit filed against Microsoft Corporation being designated for K-12 computer science curriculum for students and training for teachers. Iowa is fortunate to receive this support. 

An Iowa Department of Education review panel selected nine proposals to provide high-quality curriculum and aligned professional development. They include:

K-5

• BootUp PD
• CoderZ
• NewBoCo

6-8

• CodeHS
• CoderZ
• NewBoCo

9-12

• CodeHS
• CoderZ
• NewBoCo

Up to $50,000 grants: Each district or accredited nonpublic school/school system approved for a grant can now receive up to $50,000 and may divide these funds between grade bands as they see fit. For example, a district may now spend all $50,000 on K-5 computer science curriculum and teacher training material if needed and aligned to their computer science plan. Equal distributions of $10,000 between the K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 grades are no longer required. Districts and schools will be required to detail allocation between grade bands in their grant application.

Equipment may be covered: In addition, to facilitate instruction, grants may now be utilized for equipment associated with the selected curriculum and aligned professional development, subject to Department of Education review. Districts and schools should first speak with their chosen vendor to identify need and support for equipment purchases.

Teacher stipends and substitute pay: To facilitate teacher participation in aligned professional development, grants may now also be used for stipends during non-contract hours and substitute pay if professional development takes place during contract hours.

School districts and accredited nonpublic schools/school systems are encouraged to make all requests for reimbursement in one submission.

Grants will be made available to eligible school districts and accredited nonpublic schools/school systems for the following purpose:

• A school district or accredited nonpublic school/school system may apply to the Department of Education to receive money from the fund by selecting from options organized by grade ban to provide high-quality computer science curriculum and aligned professional development. Associated equipment as well as stipends and substitute pay for teachers also may be covered.

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.

The goal of this grant program is to build the capacity of Iowa schools to provide high-quality computer science instruction reflecting K-12 state computer science standards.

It is important that districts let the vendor know they are participating in the grant for reporting purposes as well as implementation and equipment support.

Schools are also encouraged to apply for a SCRIPT Workshop Grant to expand computer science.

K-5

6-8

9-12

Due Dates

Guidance Documents

Grant Application and Implementation Guidance - Applicants should thoroughly read prior to completing the application and budget forms in IowaGrants.gov.

Application Information (including questions)

Forms

Application and budget forms available on IowaGrants.gov.

IowaGrants Login Instructions - first time and returning users