1 STEM PILOT PROGRAM GRANT Webinar November 17, 2015 Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Scott Black and Justin Rogers Washington STEM, Andy Shouse and Gilda Wheeler

2 The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is administering the grant with assistance from Washington STEM, a statewide STEM education organization. GRANT ADMINISTRATION

State Legislature established the STEM Pilot Program. This is a “proof of concept” pilot program. The hypothesis is that education outcomes are better when capital and learning outcomes are tied together to make informed investments. Created solely to provide STEM pilot project grant awards to school districts to construct or modernize science and science lab classrooms. PURPOSE OF THE STEM GRANT PROGRAM

4 Total grant amount is $11,925,000 Districts are limited to one grant award in the amount of no more than $4,000,000 Districts may use grant award for multiple projects Grants constitute districts’ local funding for purpose of eligibility for the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) GRANT FUNDING

5 At least one grant will be awarded in Southwest Washington and one in the Puget Sound Region At least two grants will be awarded in Eastern Washington GRANT AWARDS AROUND THE STATE

6 SEPOCTNOVDECJANFEBMAR iGRANTS APPLICATION OPEN TO DISTRICTS APPLICATIONS FORMATTED/ SENT TO WA STEM WA STEM REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS WA STEM DEVELOPS PRIORITIZED LIST OF CANDIDATES DISTRICT CERTIFICATIONS (SUBMITTALS) Submit additional project information GRANT ANNOUNCED – MEMORANDUM SENT OSPI task FINAL GRANT AWARDS For districts on the grant list able to meet all requirements. APR CONSTRUCTION/REIMBURSEMENTS Administered through grants management. COMPLETION DOCUMENTS District submits to OSPI when all projects are complete. WA STEM task District task STEM GRANT TIMELINE iGRANTS APPLICATION DEVELOPED/ FINALIZED MAYJUN JUL CRITERIA DEVELOPED – OSPI / WA STEM OSPI/WA STEM task WA STEM REPORT Submit to OSPI when all projects are complete. PRELIMINARY GRANT AWARD ANNOUNCEMENTS OSPI REVIEWS PRIORITIZED GRANT LIST K20 / GO-TO-MEETING CONSULTANT HIRED/ PROCESS DEVELOPED

7 KEY DATES DateMilestone November 16, 2015Application opens January 28, 2016Application closes February 29-March 25, 2015Finalist application reviews (including site visits) Mid April 2016Grantees announced Mid May 2016Funds distributed

8 Districts are eligible if they have a special housing burden due to lack of sufficient space for science classrooms and labs to enable students to meet the statutory graduation requirements. SBE New Graduation Requirements 2019 graduating seniors will be expected to complete three science credits, two of which are specified as lab credits Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) In 2013 Washington State adopted new K-12 Science Learning standards, which include considerable emphasis on science and engineering practices, requiring students to authentically engage in science and engineering DISTRICT ELIGIBILTY – SPECIAL HOUSING BURDEN

9 WAC (a) "Laboratory science" means any instruction that provides opportunities for students to interact directly with the material world, or with data drawn from the material world, using the tools, data collection techniques, models and theories of science. A laboratory science course meeting the requirement of subsection (3) of this section may include courses conducted in classroom facilities specially designed for laboratory science, or coursework in traditional classrooms, outdoor spaces, or other settings which accommodate elements of laboratory science as identified in this subsection; SBE DEFINITION OF LAB SCIENCE

10 Districts must demonstrate a lack of sufficient space of science classrooms and labs to facilitate meeting statutory graduation requirements District must secure a private donation of cash, like kind, or equipment in a value of no less than $100,000 Districts must have faculty in place that are prepared to teach science and engineering in a manner consistent with the science learning standards, or must demonstrate that a plan and budget are in place to recruit and train faculty to do so GRANT CRITERIA

11 Additional square footage of classroom space or renovated space devoted to lab learning is required. Other components may include: Specialized tools, materials, and curriculum for students to conduct lab investigations. Ancillary spaces to support teacher collaboration, preparation of lab experiences, storage of STEM materials and tools, and student projects. Modular design of spaces, equipment, and equipment storage to facilitate flexible use of existing or new space to accommodate both collaborative student investigations and whole class activities and demonstrations. Outdoor learning spaces such as green houses, covered areas, and permanent seating or settings which accommodate elements of lab science. PROJECT COMPONENTS AND FEATURES

12 Per Science labs/classroom combo1,440 sf Per Science classroom 1,040 sf Total eligible area per district grant award must not exceed 15,840 sf Grant awards resulting in additional square footage is excluded from the school district’s inventory of available educational space for determining eligibility for state assistance for: Five years following acceptance of the project by the school district board of directors, or The date of the final review of the latest study and survey of the affected school district following acceptance of the project by the school district board of directors; Whichever is earliest ELIGIBLE SPACE

13 The funding assistance percentage as calculated in 28A (2) 20% of the percentage of student enrollments eligible and enrolled in the free and reduced-price meals program 10 additional percentage points for school districts with funding assistance percentages of more than 50% 10 additional percentage points for class 2 districts as determined in RCW 28A ENHANCED FUNDING ASSISTANCE PERCENTAGE (FAP)

14 EXAMPLE PROJECT SCOPE Modification of classrooms ProjectSQ FTTotal 2 lab/classrooms1440 sf2880 sf Eligible Area X Construction cost allocation (CCA) = Recognized Construction Cost * 2880$213.23= $614,102 Recognized Const. Cost Enhanced FAPSCAP AMOUNTSTEM Grant Amount $614,102 X.8012 $492,018 $122,083** * Recognized Construction costs does not include 10% – 15 % soft costs **Recognized estimated excess costs reported at time of application will be awarded from STEM grant

15 REVIEW CRITERIA INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO: Priority for districts that secure private donation weighted by the ratio of district enrollments to value of donation Districts’ ability (inability) to raise funds through levies or bonds in prior 10 years Priority for applicants with a high percentage of students eligible and enrolled in the free and reduced price meals program Extent that existing STEM facilities are inadequate to meet graduation requirements Existing STEM faculty are in place and qualified to deliver an interactive, project based STEM curriculum in the proposed specialized STEM facility or a plan and budget is in place to recruit or train such STEM faculty

16 QUESTIONS? THANK YOU! Scott Black, Justin Rogers, Andy Shouse, Grant Guidelines and Resources Webinar Recording Word Version of Application (for your reference) Link to Application in Igrants (form package 759) FAQs