Resolve, To Establish a Pilot Program To Provide Grants for Professional Development in Computer Science Instruction
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 0127
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: POULIOT

Legislative Document
No. 127
S.P. 60
In Senate, January 21, 2021
Resolve, To Establish a Pilot Program To Provide Grants for 
Professional Development in Computer Science Instruction
(EMERGENCY)
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on January 19, 2021.  Referred to the Committee 
on Education and Cultural Affairs pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator POULIOT of Kennebec.
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.
Sec. 2.  Application. Resolved:  That a local education agency may submit an 
application for grant funds under the pilot program pursuant to section 1. An application 
must address, but is not limited to, how the agency will:
1.  Engage new and existing teachers with minimal or no background in computer 
science instruction in professional development opportunities in computer science 
instruction;
2.  Use research-based or evidence-based best practices for high-quality professional 
development;
3.  Engage and support historically underrepresented student populations in computer 
science;
4.  Provide teachers with hands-on, inquiry-based practices; and
5.  Engage, involve or partner with outside organizations, including but not limited to 
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 professional development for prekindergarten to grade 12 computer 
science pedagogy and content.
Sec. 4.  Annual reports. Resolved:  That each local education agency that receives 
a grant under the pilot program under section 1 shall report annually for the duration of the 
grant to the Department of Education.
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.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes a 2-year pilot program to provide grants for professional 
development in computer science instruction.