New Jersey Department of Education Division of Academics and Performance Advanced Computer Science Grant September 28, 2018

Technical Assistance (TA) Session Overview This session is designed as an overview of the major components of the Notice of Grant Opportunity (NGO) and application process. Applicants are advised to thoroughly read the NGO for a complete understanding of the grant. Only general questions can be answered related to the NGO, not project-specific questions. Questions asked during this TA session may be used to create a FAQ document.

Important Dates Deadline for application: October 25, 2018 by 4:00 pm in EWEG Grant start date: January 15, 2019

Governor’s Vision The Governor’s vision for New Jersey’s STEM economy as the gateway to a 21st Century middle class prioritizes developing an education system that prepares every child to succeed in a 21st century economy through initiatives including implementing state-of-the-art STEM curriculum. To support this vision, the New Jersey Legislature has appropriated two million dollars to be allocated to comprehensive districts with high schools for the expansion and support of advanced computer science course offerings. In addition, on January 16, 2018, a state law was enacted (P.L. 2017 Chapter 303, N.J.S.A. 18A:7C-1.1) that requires each public school serving students in grades 9-12, other than a county vocational school district, to offer a computer science course beginning in the 2018-2019 school year.

Purpose of the Grant The purpose of this NGO is to expand student access and opportunities to participate in high-quality advanced computer science education in New Jersey. Computer Science is best described as “the study of computational processes and information structures, including their hardware realizations, their linguistic models, and their applications”1. This purpose will be accomplished through the creation or expansion of advanced computer science courses that are available to students in high school throughout New Jersey. 1Tucker, A. B. (2004). Computer science handbook. Boca Raton, FL: Chapman and Hall/CRC.

Project Period One Project Period: 1/15/19-6/30/20 Planning Period: 1/15/19-6/30/19 Implementation Period: 7/1/19-6/30/20   Project must be sustainable beyond the grant period.

Grant Funding $100,000 maximum grant award available. This grant is funded through a direct appropriation of state funds.

Regional Distribution (NGO p. 5) NJDOE will ensure that at least three awards are made in each region in rank order, provided there are sufficient applications with a passing score in each region. The final awards will be made in rank order by score regardless of region until either funds are exhausted or no applications with passing scores remain.

Eligibility to Apply (NGO p. 2) The application must reflect the plan to develop and implement one or more advanced computer science course(s). The computer science course must be available for student enrollment for the 2019-2020 school year and meet at least ONE of the following criteria: Course is Advanced Placement Computer Science A. Course leads to an industry-valued credential in computer science. Course is articulated for credit in computer science with a postsecondary institution.

Eligibility to Apply This grant opportunity is open to comprehensive districts with high schools. School districts with multiple high schools can submit an application for one high school only. Preference is given to high schools that receive Title 1 funds. A list of districts with comprehensive high schools that receive Title I funding can be found in Appendix A. Districts that receive Title I funds must submit a letter on district letterhead stating that this school receives this funding and upload the letter with the application. All applications must include a completed and signed Documentation of Eligibility Form and Proof of Postsecondary Partnership (Appendix B).

Program Requirements (NGO p. 11) Industry-Valued Credential and/or Post Secondary Credit Serving all students Enrollment of at least 20 students Sustainability

ACE Model ACE ASSESS Current conditions, resources and needs. CREATE the program EVALUATE the outcomes

Assess Consider current conditions within the district and describe in the grant application: Curriculum options Teacher readiness and training needs Student readiness Resources available beyond the grant period

Create Develop, and describe in the grant application, plans for: Curriculum Teacher Professional Development and Support Student Preparation and Recruitment Sustainability Beyond the Grant Period

Evaluate Create measurable goals and objectives for the program in the areas of: Professional development; Enrollment; Curriculum; Industry-valued credentials and/or post secondary credit to be earned.

Reporting Requirements (NGO p. 8) All reports are submitted in EWEG including monthly reimbursement requests. Report Reporting Period Due Date 1st Interim January 15, 2019 – June 30, 2019 July 31, 2019 2nd Interim January 15, 2019 – September 30, 2019 October 31, 2019 3rd Interim January 15, 2019 – December 31, 2019 January 31, 2020 4th Interim January 15, 2019 – March 31, 2020 April 30, 2020 Final January 15, 2019 – June 30, 2020 August 31, 2020

Allowable Costs (NGO p. 16) Professional development costs including registration, travel, teacher stipends (for activities beyond contractual hours); Curriculum and curriculum development; Equipment; Supplies; Experiences for students such as field trips; Substitutes to allow teachers to attend professional development sessions.

Application Due Date October 25, 2018 by 4:00pm in EWEG

Marianne Cappello marianne.cappello@doe.nj.gov