HB 19-1277 Summary

• Creates the Computer Science Education Grant Program in the Department of Education to provide funding to public schools and school districts for increasing enrollment of traditionally underrepresented students in computer science education.

• Appropriates $250,000 annually for fiscal years 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23, with grants capped at 50% for technology equipment purchases.

• Prioritizes grant awards to applicants serving high-poverty students, high percentages of minority or female students, rural students, or schools with low existing computer science offerings.

• Requires grant recipients to submit annual reports by October 1 detailing enrollment data disaggregated by gender, race/ethnicity, special education status, English language learner status, and free/reduced lunch eligibility.

• Sunsets the program effective July 1, 2024.