Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to establish the Increasing Engagement in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Program, a grant program for public school units to engage in experiential STEM education targeted at students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. Sets forth a deadline and certain program criteria for grant applications. Allowable uses of the fund include, but are not limited to, stipends for participating teachers and partnering with third parties for services or hosting competitions that further the Program's purpose. Establishes a 2024 deadline for recipient selection by the Superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction as well as selection criteria aimed to select public school unit grantees that reflect the geographic and population diversity of the state. Sets a cap of 20 total grantees. Conditions grantee funding on the public school unit's designation of students who completed the grant-funded activities along with a matched set of students with similar demographic characteristics who did not complete the grant activities to the Common Educational Data Analysis and Reporting System. Requires evaluation and analysis of student outcomes related to matriculation, STEM, and employment when possible and in a manner directed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Requires the North Carolina Longitudinal Data System, in cooperation with agencies with the relevant data, to report those outcomes annually to the specified NCGA committee starting in 2028 and ending in 2039.
Requires that the Superintendent of Public Instruction submit an initial report about the application process to the specified NCGA committee by May 15, 2024; specifies information that must be included in the report. Requires public school unit grant recipients to submit a final report about the outcome of the grant by the end of the 2024-25 school year. Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to submit a final report to the specified NCGA committee by December 15, 2025; includes information that must be included in the report. Appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction for the program for 2023-24; specifies that the funds do not revert and instead remain available until the end of the 2024-25 fiscal year. States the General Assembly's intent to reauthorize the program for the 2025-26 school year.
Effective July 1, 2023.
Bill Summaries: H4 INCREASING ENGAGEMENT IN STEM GRANT PROGRAM.
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Bill H 4 (2023-2024)Summary date: Jan 25 2023 - View Summary