NC H4

Establishes the Increasing Engagement in STEM Program for the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium to provide grants to public school units for experiential STEM education programs targeting sixth through eighth grade students.

Superintendent of Public Instruction shall publish grant applications by October 15, 2023, accept applications until March 15, 2024, and select up to 20 recipients by April 15, 2024, with recipients reflecting geographic diversity and varying school unit sizes.

Allowable uses of grant funds include teacher stipends and partnerships with third-party vendors to provide services or host competitions, with schools required to demonstrate sustainability plans beyond the grant period.

Appropriates $1,000,000 in nonrecurring funds for fiscal year 2023-2024, available through the end of fiscal year 2024-2025, with funds remaining available until expended.

Requires schools receiving grants to track participant outcomes through the Common Education Data Analysis and Reporting System, with the North Carolina Longitudinal Data System reporting annually from December 15, 2028 through December 15, 2039 on STEM enrollment, graduation, postsecondary completion, and employment outcomes.