MN HF3492

Department of Education shall develop and implement high-quality computer science teacher training and educator recruitment programs, either directly or through grants to eligible entities including consortiums of local educational agencies and higher education institutions.

Establishes a new grant program to expand existing high-quality computer science education programs, with eligible recipients including school districts, charter schools, nonprofits, and higher education institutions working in partnership with schools.

Grant funds may be used for professional learning opportunities (introductory through advanced), teacher credentialing, travel expenses, recruitment, program design, and mentoring, with applications prioritizing rural and urban areas with limited computer science offerings and strategies to increase enrollment among underrepresented groups.

Department of Education must submit annual reports to legislative committees by February 1 describing progress on the state strategic plan, and grant recipients must report annually on number of teachers trained, students served, and disaggregated demographic data on students reached.

Appropriates $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2025 for teacher training and recruitment grants, $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2025 for program expansion grants (with $4,000,000 base continuing for 2026 and later), and $50,000 one-time appropriation in 2025 to Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to establish a computer science field license.