Computing Partnerships Grants program

(1) There is created the Computing Partnerships Grants program consisting of the grants created in this part to provide for the design and implementation of a comprehensive K-16 computing partnerships program, based upon the following common elements: (a) outreach and student engagement; (b) courses and content; (c) instruction and instructional support; (d) work-based learning opportunities; (e) student retention; (f) industry engagement; (g) stacked credentials that allow for multiple exit and entry points; (h) competency-based learning strategies; and (i) secondary and post-secondary collaborations. (2) The grant program shall incentivize public schools and school districts to work with the STEM Action Center, staff of the State Board of Education, Talent Ready Utah, industry representatives, and secondary partners on the design and implementation of comprehensive K-16 computing partnerships through: (a) leveraging existing resources for content, professional learning, and instruction, including existing career and technical education funds, programs, and initiatives; (b) allowing for the support of professional learning for pre- and in-service educators; (c) supporting activities that promote and enhance access, diversity, and equity; (d) supporting collaborations and partnerships between K-12, institutions of higher education, private postsecondary educational institutions, cultural and community partners, and industry representatives; (e) identifying the appropriate credentials that align with industry needs and providing the credentials in a stacked credentials pathway; (f) implementing a collaborative network that enables sharing and identification of best practices; and (g) providing infrastructure assistance that allows for the support of new courses and the expansion of capacity for existing courses. (3) The grant program shall include the following: (a) rigorous and relevant metrics that are shared by all grant participants; and (b) an evaluation by the STEM Action Center of the grant program that identifies best practices. (4) The STEM Action Center, in consultation with the State Board of Education, shall: (a) in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, adopt rules: (i) for the administration of the grant program and awarding of grants; and (ii) that define outcome-based measures appropriate to the type of grant awarded under this part; (b) establish a grant application process; (c) in accordance with Subsection (5), establish a review committee to make recommendations for: (i) metrics to analyze the quality of a grant application; (ii) approval of a grant application; and (iii) criteria to establish a requirement for an applicant to demonstrate financial need; and (d) with input from the review committee, adopt metrics to analyze the quality of a grant application. (5) (a) The review committee shall consist of K-16 educators, staff of the State Board of Education, representatives of Talent Ready Utah, post-secondary partners, and industry representatives. (b) The review committee shall: (i) review a grant application submitted; (ii) make recommendations to a grant applicant to modify the grant application, if necessary; and (iii) make recommendations regarding the final disposition of an application. (6) The STEM Action Center shall report annually on the grant program to the State Board of Education and any findings and recommendations on the grant program shall be included in the STEM Action Center annual report to the Education Interim Committee.