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

2. 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.

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

4. 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 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 school year.

5. 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.

6. 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.

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

8. 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.

9. 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 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.

10. 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).

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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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.

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

19. Marianne Cappello