BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1258
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Date of Hearing: May 20, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
1258 (Chau) - As Amended May 6, 2015
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill establishes through January 1, 2022, a public-private
Computer Science Education Grant Pilot Program, to provide
one-time competitive grants to school districts to establish and
maintain computer science courses and provide professional
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development for educators to teach computer science, either as a
stand-alone course or as integrated into other courses.
Specifically, this bill:
1)Provides for two types of grants: start-up course grants or
educator training grants and sets forth eligibility criteria;
including, the ability to provide matching funds equal to the
grant amount and the capacity to continue programs beyond the
initial grant authorization.
a) Specifies the start-up course grant is intended to
support innovative ways to introduce pupils in underserved
areas and pupils from groups historically underrepresented
in the field of computer science who would not otherwise
have those opportunities to computer science and inspire
them to enter computer science careers.
b) Specifies the educator training grant is intended to
support professional development for educators to acquire
the knowledge and skills necessary to teach computer
science, either as a stand-alone course or as integrated
into other courses.
2)Requires the program to be developed and administered by the
Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI). Authorizes the
SPI to convene an advisory group of computer science experts
to discuss and refine the eligibility criteria. Requires the
SPI to submit an annual report to the Governor and the
Legislature on the number of grant applicants, grants awarded
and courses/trainings offered.
3)Specifies grant funds may be used for one-time purposes
associated with the costs of establishing or expanding
computer science courses, including teacher recruitment,
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professional development, instructional materials, laboratory
supplies and equipment, and facilities remodeling. Priority
for funding shall be for districts that serve high percentages
of low income, English Learner or Foster Youth.
4)Establishes a Computer Science Education Grant Matching
Account in the State Treasury to fund the pilot programs and
allow for receipt of matching funds. Provides that funds may
be used to support administrative costs to the SPI, not to
exceed 5% of the fund balance. Specifies Legislative intent
that no moneys from the General Fund be used to fund the grant
pilot programs.
FISCAL EFFECT:
1)Unknown administrative costs to CDE, likely in excess of
$300,000. Costs to administer these new grants will depend on
the size and scope of the grants. For example, a grant program
that awards $1 million dollars to 15 school districts will
necessitate a different staffing level than a program that
provides $10 million dollars to 150 school districts. Staff
will be needed to monitor account funds, develop requests for
applications, review and score applications, notify grant
recipients and collect data to comply with annual reporting
requirements.
2)The bill does not provide a specific grant amount and
specifies that the funding shall be contingent upon
"sufficient funds" in the newly created fund and subject to an
appropriation by the Legislature. The source of revenue for
the fund will be gifts, grants or donations. CDE indicates
they do not currently have staff or resources available to
promote or advocate for donations and/or grants from non-state
sources.
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COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. According to the author, early exposure and equal
access is essential for all students to excel in the
fundamentals of computer science and its connection to
innovation and emerging technologies.
2)New program. This bill establishes a new grant program. With
the establishment of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF)
in 2013, approximately three-quarters of programs dedicated
for specific purposes were eliminated, and the funds
previously dedicated for these programs were incorporated into
the LCFF. LCFF funds can be used for any purpose in
accordance with the LCAP, which is developed locally to meet
the needs of each district. The goals and strategies of this
bill can currently be developed locally and independently
through public-private partnerships.
3)Related legislation. AB 252 (Holden), pending in this
committee, would establish a grant program to award funds to
cover the costs associated with a high school establishing or
expanding its advanced placement science, technology,
engineering and math (STEM) curriculum.
Analysis Prepared by:Misty Feusahrens / APPR. / (916)
319-2081
AB 1258
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