Teacher Education Programs for Computer Science Education

Part B of title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965 is amended (20 U.S.C. 1021 et seq.) by adding at the end the following:

Teacher Education Programs for Computer Science Education

259.

Teacher Education Programs for Computer Science Education

(a)

Program authorized

From the amounts appropriated to carry out this section, the Secretary may award competitive grants to eligible institutions to establish centers of excellence in teacher education programs for computer science, that may include computational thinking, computing, and computer engineering.(b)

Use of funds

A grant awarded to an eligible institution under this section—(1)shall be used by such institution to ensure that current and future teachers meet the applicable State certification and licensure requirements in a field that will enable them to teach computer science in their State at the elementary and secondary school levels, by—(A)creating teacher education programs that meet the requirements of section 200(6)(A)(iv) and offer, through hands-on and classroom teaching activities with in-service teachers—(i)doctoral, master’s, or bachelor’s degrees in teaching computer science at the elementary school and secondary school levels; or(ii)teaching endorsements in computer science, in the case of a teacher with related State certification and licensure requirements or a student who is pursuing certification and licensure requirements in related fields, such as mathematics and science;(B)ensuring that current and future teachers who graduate from such programs meet the applicable State certification and licensure requirements, including any requirements for certification obtained through alternative routes to certification, or, with regard to special education teachers, the qualifications described in section 612(a)(14)(C) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;(C)recruiting individuals to enroll in such programs, including subject matter experts and professionals in fields related to computer science; and(D)awarding scholarships and fellowships based on financial need and to recruit traditionally underrepresented groups in computer science to help such students pay the cost of attendance (as defined in section 472); and(2)may be used by such institution to—(A)hire and pay faculty salaries for the teacher education programs described in paragraph (1)(A);(B)conduct research in computer science education; and(C)carry out activities to encourage the Secretary to partner with other agencies, and prioritize funding for computer science education research to support teacher preparation.(c)

Duration

(1)

In general

A grant under this section shall be awarded for 5 years, conditional upon a satisfactory report to the Secretary of progress with respect to the program carried out with the grant after the first 3-years of the grant period.(2)

Report of progress

Such report of progress on the program shall include data on the number of students and instructors enrolled, information on former graduates (including on how many earn teaching certification or licensure in a field that will enable them to teach computer science in their State at the secondary level, or be prepared to teach computer science at the elementary level), and data on any additional funding (other than Federal funds) received to carry out the program.(d)

Application

(1)

In general

An eligible institution desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary, at such time in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, which shall include—(A)a demonstration of the need for teachers with the certification or licensure requirements that enable them to teach computer science at the elementary and secondary level in the geographic area or State in which the institution is located;(B)the plan to ensure the longevity of the program after the end of the grant; and(C)the plan to scale up the program (including the plan for the number of personnel to be hired, a description of their expected qualifications and titles, the number of fellowships and scholarships to be awarded, the estimated administrative expenses, proposed academic advising strategy, and organizing and outreach to maintain virtual community of computer science educators).(2)

Equitable distribution

The Secretary shall award grants under this section in a manner that ensures an equitable distribution of grants—(A)to rural and urban eligible institutions;(B)to eligible institutions that qualify for a waiver under subsection (e)(2); and(C)to eligible institutions that are located in areas where there is a need for increasing computer science education opportunities.(e)

Matching requirement

(1)

In general

To receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an amount that is not less than 25 percent of the amount of the grant, which may be provided in cash or in-kind, to carry out the activities supported by the grant.(2)

Waiver

The Secretary shall waive all or part of the matching requirement described in paragraph (1) for any fiscal year the Secretary determines that applying such requirement to the eligible institution would result in serious hardship or an inability to carry out the authorized activities described in this section.(f)

Report to Congress

Not later than 2 years after the first grant is awarded under his section and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the success of the program based on metrics determined by the Secretary, including the number of centers established, the number of enrolled students, and the number of qualified teachers.(g)

Technical assistance

The Secretary shall use up to 5 percent of the amount appropriated for each fiscal year to provide technical assistance to eligible institutions.(h)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Eligible institution

The term eligible institution means an institution of higher education, as defined in section 101, which may be in a partnership with a nonprofit organization.(2)

Computer science

The term computer science means the study of computers including algorithmic processes and engineering principles for hardware and software design, development, and systems integration, and their impact on society.(3)

Computing

The term computing means any goal-oriented activity requiring, benefitting from, or creating algorithmic processes.(4)

Computational thinking

The term computational thinking means the human ability to formulate problems so that their solutions can be represented as computational steps or algorithms to be executed by a computer and integrated into broader networks of systems.