AZ SB1505

$500,000 in one-time funding appropriated from the state web portal fund to the Arizona Department of Education for competitive grants supporting a Native American code writers initiative pilot program.

Grantees must introduce computer coding curriculum for grades 9-12, prepare Native American students for the global economy, and develop internships with industry partners for program graduates.

Grantees must train teachers and administrators in technology-focused curriculum, install audio-video distance learning equipment, and develop assessment metrics to measure program effectiveness.

Annual reports required by September 1, 2019 and September 1, 2020 detailing impacts on student standardized test scores, graduation rates, and curriculum outcomes to be submitted to the American Indian advisory council and Department of Education.

Program ends July 1, 2021 and appropriation is exempt from lapsing provisions, with the Department of Education to submit summary reports to legislative leadership by December 1 of each applicable year.