APPROVED CHAPTER
JULY 6, 2021 102
BY GOVERNOR RESOLVES
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-ONE
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S.P. 60 - L.D. 127
Resolve, To Establish a Pilot Program To Provide Grants for Professional
Development in Computer Science Instruction
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the pilot program to provide professional development grants for computer
science instruction is established by this resolve as a 2-year pilot program; and
Whereas, the pilot program must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order
that the pilot program may be nearly completed so that a meaningful report can be
submitted in time for the First Regular Session of the 131st Legislature; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
therefore, be it
Sec. 1. Commissioner of Education to establish pilot program to provide
professional development grants for computer science instruction. Resolved:
That the Commissioner of Education shall establish a pilot program to award grants for the
provision of professional development in computer science instruction for a period of 2
years. The Commissioner of Education may accept donations from outside sources and
state and federal funding to accomplish the purposes of this resolve. The Commissioner of
Education shall distribute grant funds across all counties in the State equally among
prekindergarten to grade 5, grade 6 to grade 8 and grade 9 to grade 12.
Sec. 2. Application. Resolved: That a local education agency may submit an
application for grant funds under the pilot program pursuant to section 1. The
Commissioner of Education shall give priority to applicants that:
1. Do not currently offer computer science learning opportunities;
2. Serve socioeconomically disadvantaged school districts;
3. Prioritize student populations traditionally underrepresented in computer science;
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 4. Demonstrate a commitment to pursuing high-quality educator professional
development that emphasizes integration of computer science into other course work and
curricula or establishes or expands access to courses that offer college credit and other
certificates of value, or both; and
5. Collaborate or partner with other entities, including but not limited to other local
education agencies, the business community, nonprofit organizations and private entities.
Sec. 3. Use of funds. Resolved: That a local education agency that receives a grant
award during the pilot program under section 1 must use the funds only for high-quality,
teacher-developed or teacher-led professional development for prekindergarten to grade 12
computer science pedagogy and content.
Sec. 4. Evaluation; annual submissions. Resolved: That each local education
agency that receives a grant under the pilot program under section 1 shall engage in
evaluation activities including interviews or surveys on the process and effect and
outcomes of the professional development provided with grant funds, participate in a
community of educators engaged in similar work and annually for the duration of the grant
submit to the Department of Education a report or other product that showcases learning
achieved through the professional development and that includes a reflective narrative of
the professional development process. The Department of Education shall compile the
submissions and make them available for educators across the State.
Sec. 5. Fund established. Resolved: That the Professional Development Grant
Pilot Program Fund is established as a nonlapsing fund under the Department of Education
for the purpose of receiving funds from state, federal and other sources, including donations
from private citizens, corporations and entities for the purposes of this resolve. The
department shall distribute any available funds in the fund to support the purposes
described in this resolve. Upon distribution of all the funds, the fund is dissolved.
Sec. 6. Report to Legislature. Resolved: That, no later than January 1, 2023, the
Commissioner of Education shall submit a report regarding the pilot program pursuant to
this resolve and make recommendations, including any suggested legislation, to the joint
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education and cultural
affairs. The joint standing committee may report out legislation on the subject matter of the
report to the First Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.
Sec. 7. Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: That the following
appropriations and allocations are made.
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
Professional Development Grant Pilot Program N342
Initiative: Provides funds in fiscal years 2021-22 and 2022-23 only for a 2-year pilot
program that provides grants to local education agencies for professional development in
computer science instruction.
GENERAL FUND 2021-22 2022-23
All Other $50,000 $50,000
__________ __________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $50,000 $50,000
Professional Development Grant Pilot Program Fund N355
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Initiative: Provides base allocations for a 2-year pilot program that provides grants to local
education agencies for professional development in computer science instruction to
authorize the expenditure of funds in the event funds are received from federal funding
sources.
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND 2021-22 2022-23
All Other $500 $500
__________ __________
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND TOTAL $500 $500
Professional Development Grant Pilot Program Fund N355
Initiative: Provides base allocations for a 2-year pilot program that provides grants to local
education agencies for professional development in computer science instruction to
authorize the expenditure of funds in the event funds are received from outside funding
sources.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 2021-22 2022-23
All Other $500 $500
__________ __________
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL $500 $500
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
DEPARTMENT TOTALS 2021-22 2022-23
GENERAL FUND $50,000 $50,000
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND $500 $500
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS $500 $500
__________ __________
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS $51,000 $51,000
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
takes effect when approved.
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