Computer Science Grants for Teachers Program

2023-2024 Computer Science Teacher Education Grantees

CDE is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023-2024 Computer Science Teacher Education Grant. Congratulations to the following:

Bayfield 10 Jt-R
Branson Reorganized 82
Colorado River BOCES
East Central BOCES
Greeley 6
Jefferson County R-1
Meeker RE-1
Mesa County Valley 51
Montrose County RE-1J
Pioneer Technology and Arts Academy
Poudre R-1
Pueblo City 60
Roaring Fork RE-1
Widefield 3

Computer Science Education Grant Information

The window for the Computer Science Education Grant for the 2023-2024 fiscal year opened in October 2023 and the application window closed in November 2023. Grantees were awarded in January 2024, approved by the Colorado State Board of Education. This competitive grant was the first to be hosted in CDE's new grant management software called GAINS. Please continue to check this website for updates on upcoming grants.

Application Window Now Closed: The Colorado Computer Science Teacher Education Grant

This grant's purpose is to promote the postsecondary education of eligible teachers who teach or wish to teach computer science in K-12 Education. Computer science has the potential to open doors for Colorado students to engage in learning and prepare them for a bright future. Thanks to a collaboration between the Colorado State Legislature and the Colorado State Board of Education, an appropriation of approximately $402,656 was provided to the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) to administer. The grant program is a competitive process for computer science teacher professional development during the 2023-2024 school year.

Intent to Apply (encouraged, but not required) - due Friday, November 10, 2023, 5:00 PM
Completed applications must be submitted through the NEW online application system, GAINS, by Friday, November 17, 2023, by 4:59 pm.
- Note: There will be two webinar training sessions for this new grant application platform. These trainings will be recorded and posted on the CDE website if you are unable to attend!
  - System Only training on how to access and complete the Computer Science Grant through GAINS October 17, 2023, at 11:00am – 12:00pm View Meeting Recording Here
  - CS Grant Program and GAINS system webinar October 25, 2023, at 3:30pm – 4:30pm View Zoom recording here.
Competitive grant awards will be distributed to LEPs, including school districts, BOCES, and district charter schools or Institute Charter Schools.
Funding for this grant program will be awarded in the 2023-2024 fiscal year with approximately $402,656 for district-determined computer science professional development for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
Grants will be awarded for a five-month term beginning in February 2024 of the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
Funds must be expended by June 30, 2024.
There will be no carryover of funds.
Required reporting due on or before September 30, 2024

CDE will administer the grant program and distribute grant funds through a competitive process to fund the professional development tuition, fees, and/or training program costs, and/or professional development books and/or materials for the teacher(s) receiving training.

A Local Education Provider that receives a grant under the program shall use the monies to:

Fund postsecondary coursework or training that enables a teacher or teachers to teach computer science, including concurrent enrollment courses in computer science or Advanced Placement computer science, at coursework or training that applies toward the completion of a degree or industry-recognized certificate in computer science, the completion of a high quality training program, or the mastery of a teaching content area in computer science
Fund high-quality training programs to be offered to teachers in the district that enable the teachers to teach computer science courses
To cover the cost of the professional development activities that the applicant intends to pursue using the grant funds

Link to CSed Grant Application | Computer Science Grant RFA 2023-2024 | Grant Program and System Walkthrough Video

Computer Science Education Grant History

Enacted in 2017, the Computer Science Teacher Education Grant Program, provided $440,000 in professional development grants for teachers in the first year. The legislature allocated an additional $500,000 in 2018 specifically for the elementary school level, where students begin to acquire the thinking and problem-solving skills that make them successful in school and, ultimately, in life. These grants are distributed to districts, BOCES, and charter schools for professional development in computer science for K-12 teachers.

Update: Bill Repealed Enacted in 2019 by House Bill 19-1277, the Computer Science Education Grant which provided $250,000 of funding with the purpose of increasing enrollment and participation of traditionally underrepresented students in computer science education activities has been repealed.