Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to enhance educational opportunities in the field of robotics by providing financial support to high school robotics teams. It establishes a grant program to help schools fund these initiatives, thereby promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

Main Provisions

• Establishment of a Grant Program: The commissioner of education is tasked with setting up a competitive grant program specifically targeted at high school robotics teams.
• Eligibility for Grants: Public school districts and charter schools can apply for these grants.
• Allowable Uses for Grant Money: The funds can be used for various expenses, including:
  1. Operational costs of both new and ongoing robotics programs.
  2. Providing stipends to coaches leading robotics programs.
  3. Covering costs associated with robotics competitions, such as event registration, materials, and travel expenses.

Significant Changes

• Reporting Requirements: The commissioner of education must report to relevant legislative committees about the grant recipients and their intended uses of the funds. Additionally, each grant recipient must submit a report describing the outcomes and benefits of their funded activities, specifically on how it supports students' college and career readiness.

• Funding Appropriations: Funds will be appropriated from the general fund to finance the grant program, although specific amounts and fiscal years are not detailed in this summary.

Relevant Terms

robotics programs, competitive grants, public school districts, charter schools, STEM education, operational costs, stipends, robotics competitions, college readiness, career readiness, appropriations, general fund.