News : Public or Private Schools: Computer science professional development grants

Grants to support computer science professional development are now available. Iowa school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, Area Education Agencies and collaboratives are encouraged to apply.

The grant program, known as the Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund, is intended to help build the capacity of high-quality computer science instruction within Iowa's schools. For the 2021-22 school year, the grant will provide a total of $500,000 in funding. A portion of these funds will be designated for proven computer science professional development.

An additional portion of the $500,000 will be allotted for teachers to earn computer science endorsements. Effective January 2022, the grant funds may cover the Computer Science endorsement as well as the 5-12 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Information Technology endorsement. Educators receiving the 5-12 CTE Information Technology endorsement may also apply for the Computer Science endorsement through the Board of Educational Examiners.

The Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund will assist with implementing the 2020 state law requiring high schools to offer computer science instruction starting July 1, 2022, and for middle and elementary schools to provide computer science starting July 1, 2023.

Applications for the Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund will be accepted through Feb. 11. For more information on the grant, including application requirements and timelines, visit the Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund webpage or contact Justin Lewis at justin.lewis@iowa.gov.