(1) As used in this section: (a) "Computational thinking" means the set of problem-solving skills and techniques that software engineers use to write programs that underlie computer applications, including decomposition, pattern recognition, pattern generalization, and algorithm design. (b) "Computer coding" means the process of writing script for a computer program or mobile device. (c) "Educator" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53E-6-102. (d) "Endorsement" means a stipulation, authorized by the State Board of Education and appended to a license, that specifies the areas of practice to which the license applies. (e) "Institution of higher education" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53H-1-101. (f) "Employer" means a private employer, public employer, industry association, union, or the military. (g) "License" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53E-6-102. (h) "Private postsecondary educational institution" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53H-1-101. (2) Subject to legislative appropriations, on behalf of the STEM board, the staff of the STEM board and the staff of the State Board of Education shall collaborate to develop and implement a computer science initiative for public schools by: (a) creating an online repository that: (i) is available for school districts and charter schools to use as a resource; and (ii) includes high quality computer science instructional resources that are designed to teach students in all grade levels: (A) computational thinking skills; and (B) computer coding skills; (b) providing for professional development on teaching computer science by: (i) including resources for educators related to teaching computational thinking and computer coding in the STEM education high quality professional development application described in Section 9-22-110; and (ii) providing statewide or regional professional development institutes; and (c) awarding grants to a school district or charter school, on a competitive basis, that may be used to provide incentives for an educator to earn a computer science endorsement. (3) A school district or charter school may enter into an agreement with one or more of the following entities to jointly apply for a grant under Subsection (2)(c): (a) a school district; (b) a charter school; (c) an employer; (d) a private postsecondary educational institution; (e) an institution of higher education; or (f) a non-profit organization. (4) To apply for a grant described in Subsection (2)(c), a school district or charter school shall submit a plan to the State Board of Education for the use of the grant, including a statement of purpose that describes the methods the school district or charter school proposes to use to incentivize an educator to earn a computer science endorsement. (5) The State Board of Education and the STEM board shall encourage schools to independently pursue computer science and coding initiatives, subject to local school board or charter school governing board approval, based on the unique needs of the school's students. (6) The STEM board shall include information on the status of the computer science initiative in the annual report described in Section 9-22-109.
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