Request for Proposal (RFP)

Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Innovation Grant:

Digital Literacy and Computer Science Innovation

2015-2017

Grant Application Due Date: FRiday, February 5, 2016

5:00 P.M. (PT)

Oregon Department of Education

Office of Learning

255 Capitol Street NE

Salem, OR 97310-0203

It is the policy of the State Board of Education and a priority of the Oregon Department of Education that there will be no discrimination or harassment on the grounds of race, color, sex, marital status, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age or disability in any educational programs, activities, or employment. Persons having questions about equal opportunity and nondiscrimination should contact the Oregon Department of Education, 255 Capitol Street NE, Salem, OR 97310; Telephone (503) 947-5600; Fax (503) 378-5156.

Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Innovation Grant:

Digital Literacy and Computer Science Innovation Grant

Request For Proposal

Contents

Oregon Department of Education | December 2015Page 1

Background and Legislative Intent

Equity Lens

General Information

Application Narrative

Appendix A – Application Cover Page

Appendix B – Statement of Assurances

Appendix C – Budget Worksheet

Appendix D - Definitions

Appendix E – Scoring Guide

Oregon Department of Education | December 2015Page 1

Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Innovation Grant:

Digital Literacy and Computer Science Innovation

Background and Legislative Intent


In 2011, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) implemented the Oregon STEM Education Initiativeto catalyze the formation of regional STEM Education Partnerships along with efforts to transform STEM related instruction. Oregon’s STEM education definition and goals support preparation for college, careers, and citizenship needed for improvement in STEM education.

In 2013, the Oregon Education Investment Board proposed strategic investments to support Oregon’s attainment of the 40/40/20 goal. The Oregon STEM Investment Council and the Oregon Education Investment Board recommended expanding activities related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Supported activities lead to increased student interest, preparation, and attainment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for success in STEM related degrees and careers.

In 2015, HB 3072 directed the Department of Education to distribute monies that expand and sustain regional networks that support STEM education. Additionally, four STEM innovation grants were identified to expand the implementation of effective programs related to STEM.

The STEM Innovation Grant: Digital Literacy and Computer Science aligns to the STEM Investment Council goals and creates a collaborative network of STEM education computer science providers and resources. The target student population is grades 7-12, with specific focus on historically underserved students.

In order to transform STEM education in Oregon, there will need to be a change in the complexity of the STEM content, in the knowledge and skill teachers bring to instructional practice, and in the ways in which students are engaged in the instruction. All STEM Innovation grants are designed to address the definition, outcomes, and complexity of the STEM Education Initiative.

The Oregon STEM Investment Council Strategic Plan states, ”The state’s fastest growing job clusters are in technology and software. Currently, Oregon has 8,058 open computing jobs, with average salaries of $81,000 – significantly higher than the average salary in the state. In 2013, Oregon had only 355 computer science graduates (and only 11 percent of those were female). In 2015, Oregon had 290 high school students take the AP Computer Science exam. Of those students, 18 percent were female, 11 students were Hispanic and four students were African American. Only 13 schools offered the AP Computer Science in 2013-14.[1] “

STEM Investment Council Goals:

  1. Inspire and empower our students to develop the knowledge, skills and mindsetsnecessary to thrive in a rapidly changing, technology rich, global society.
  2. Ensure equitable opportunities and access for each and every student to become part of aninnovative and inclusive economy.
  3. Continuously increase the number—and the effectiveness—of formal and informal STEM educators, , while increasing their access to needed top-drawer resources..
  4. Create sustainable and supportive conditions to achieve STEM outcomes aligned to Oregon’s economic, education, and community goals.

Equity Lens

All STEM Innovation Grant recipients will be expected to incorporate and adopt the principles of the Oregon Equity Lens, the perspective through which the Oregon Department of Education considers the creation of strategic opportunities for students of color. The Equity Lens provides twelve core beliefs that fuel opportunities to bolster success for diverse student populations across the state. The beliefs most pertinent to the work of this set of grants are highlighted below:

We believe that everyone has the ability to learn and that we have an ethical responsibility anda moral responsibility to ensure an education system that provides optimal learningenvironments that lead students to be prepared for their individual futures.

We believe that thestudents who have previously beendescribed as “at risk,”“underperforming,” “underrepresented,” or minority actually represent Oregon’s bestopportunity to improve overall educational outcomes. We have many counties in rural andurban communities that already have populations of color that make up the majority.Ourability to meet the needs of this increasinglydiverse population is critical for us tosuccessfully reach Oregon’s40/40/20 goals.

We believe that resource allocation demonstrates our priorities and our values and that we demonstrate our priorities and our commitment to rural communities, communities of color, English language learners, and out of school youth in the ways we allocate resources and make educational investments.

We believe that communities, parents, teachers, and community-based organizations have unique and important solutions to improving outcomes for our students and educational systems. Our work will be successful only if we are able to truly partner with the community, engage with respect, authentically listen, and have the courage to share decision making, control, and resources.

And, we believe in the importance of supporting great teaching.Research is clear thatteachers are among the most powerful influences in (student) learning. An equitableeducation system requires providing teachers with thetools and support to meet the needs ofeach student.

General Information

  1. Purpose of the STEM Innovation Grant: Digital Literacy and Computer Science Project

The Oregon STEM Investment Council, in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), is seeking applicants to provide professional development for digital literacy and computer science teachers of grades 7 through 12. The successful grantees will also be responsible for building a statewide framework to align to Oregon’s current and emerging employment projections as outlined below. The project is funded by the Oregon Legislature as part of the STEM Innovation Grants and is focused on historically underserved students (students of color, students in poverty, students with disabilities, and English language learners). The total project budget is $750,000 for the 2015-2017 biennium. The funds will be awarded to either a single statewide eligible recipient or multiple regional eligible recipients.

Project outcomes related to this investment include:

  • Increase student access to high quality computer science coursework that is aligned to the academic and technical standards that will meet the needs of Oregon’s business and industry partners.
  • Develop and deliver continuing professional development that will:
  • Increase support and continuing education for teachers that is aligned to the proposed Computer Science State Framework and that supports the design and implementation of CTE Programs of Study (CTE POS)in computer science and related career areas.
  • Increase pedagogical preparedness of teachers to successfully implement inquiry-based practices in digital literacy and computer science instruction.
  • Provide evidence-based, innovative practices in instruction.
  • Incorporate outreach and support strategies for use with historically underserved and/or rural students.
  • Reach more than 400 educators across the state.
  • Develop a statewide collaborative network of computer science educators that will:
  • Increase confidence among teachers to teach coding, design thinking, and digital literacy.
  • Provide ongoing support inthe design and implementation of CTE POS in computer science and other related career areas.
  • Leverage and distribute the instructional resources that support the expansion and improvement of digital literacy and computer science instruction for students in grades 7 through 12.
  • Develop a statewideframework for digital literacy and computer science that will:
  • Increase access to digital literacy and computer science education that is aligned to the needs and standards of Oregon’s business and industry partners.
  • Decrease the achievement gaps among underserved and underrepresented and/or rural populations in digital literacy and computer.
  • Create new computer science CTE POS aligned to postsecondary education, including the Associate of Science Oregon Transfer (ASOT).
  1. Type of Grant

This will be a competitive grant process resulting in one or more awards. The total funding available is $750,000. The maximum amount per award is$750,000. The STEM Investment Council may advise ODE to negotiate a lower award to recipients in order to fund additional proposals in order to meet other desired criteria, such as geographic distribution. The award is based on the availability of state resources.

This grant begins March 15, 2016, and ends on June 30, 2017. Currently, policy is in place that will allow spending through September 30, 2017. Under certain circumstances, and with prior notification, ODE may approve the advanced payment of grant funds prior to June 30 to be used between June 30, 2017, and September 30, 2017. If approved, the sub-recipient will be required to report to ODE by December 15, 2017, the actual expenditure of the advanced payment. Any funding not used by September 30 must be returned to ODE. While this policy is currently in place, it may be revised at any time during this grant period.

  1. Eligibility

Eligible applicants include Oregon public school districts, Education Service Districts (ESD), public charter schools, community colleges, universities, or a combination of such entities. Other Oregon entities may partner with an eligible entity for the proposed project; however, the eligible entity must retain accountability and fiscal responsibility for the implementation of the proposed activities.

  1. Grant Requirements

This grant supports professional development for teachers of students in grades 7-12, as well as the development of a recommended statewide framework for a career pathway in digital literacy and computer science.

In order to accomplish the purpose of this project, grantees will:

  • Develop a Project Oversight Team: Each successful applicant will have a Project Oversight Team that will be responsible for the design, metrics, implementation, outcomes and reporting for this project.

The Project oversightteam should consist of representation from: K-12 public education, postsecondary education, business, industry, labor, CTE Regional Coordinators, STEM Hubs, and the Oregon Department of Education.

  • Design and Provide Professional Development: The Project Oversight Team will design professional development, which at a minimum may include:
  • Course design
  • CTE Program of Study design
  • Effective and engaging instructional strategies
  • Providing direct contact with STEM careers through the development of mentorships, job shadows, and internships
  • Recruiting and retention strategies to engage historically underserved, underrepresented, and/or rural students
  • Professional development for administrators to recognize the importance of computer science programs and the integration of these programs into the school schedule.
  • Create a Statewide Collaborative Network of Computer Science Educators: One of the outcomes of this project is to develop a networked community of practice. This community will provide ongoing support for professional development topics with the overall goal of increasing confidence among teachers to teach coding, design thinking, and digital literacy, and thereby increase student access to computer science education. The network will also provide a venue to disseminate effective practices, ideas, and resources that have the potential to be utilized across the state.
  • Develop a State Framework for Computer Science Instruction: In order to increase student access to digital literacy andcomputer science education, the project oversight team, along with other stakeholders, will develop a state framework for computer science instruction that at a minimum includes:
  • Goals and objectives
  • Outcomes
  • Academic and technical standards
  • Effective instructional strategies
  • Timeline and strategies for statewide implementation
  • Evaluation
  1. Use of Funds

Grantees must be able to spend funds according to acceptable accounting procedures and be able to provide evidence of such procedures. Costs must be necessary and reasonable to complete the project and be authorized and not prohibited under State or local laws.

Reasonable costs will not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person, are ordinary and necessary for the operation of the program, and represent sound business practices. Lack of documentation is a primary reason for audit findings. Documentation must be available to support each expenditure and may be requested by the Oregon Department of Education at any time.

Use of funds may include (but is not limited to) the following:

  • Direct staff expenses related to program, activities, coordination, and evaluation of project activities.
  • Consultation services with a direct alignment to the project outcomes and activities.
  • Stipend and travel reimbursements for individuals attending meetings, conferences, or other professional development activities with a strong alignment to the project outcomes and activities.
  • Materials and equipment for classroom implementation related to the content of project activities.
  • Reasonable expenses for food, transportation, and relevant educational experiences for students.
  • Reasonable expenditures for food at professional development sessions.
  • Direct and/or indirect administrative costs not to exceed 5% of the total proposed budget.
  • Materials used primarily for general classroom use, off-site activities, or professional development trainings.

Funds may not be used for:

  • Costs associated with writing the proposal.
  • Contractual obligations that began prior to the award date.
  • Purchase of equipment that becomes the property of any individual or organization other than eligible project partners or recipients unless directly linked to the program outcomes.
  • Purchase of services for personal benefit beyond the project outcomes and activities.
  • Purchase of office equipment unless directly linked to the program outcomes.
  • Purchase of real property (fixed property such as land, vehicles, or buildings).
  1. Reporting and Assurances

Successful applicants will be expected to participate in the evaluation related to the stated outcomes. Data from the evaluation will be included in reports to the Oregon STEM Council and the Oregon Legislature. Any submission of evaluation materials that includes images of minors must be accompanied by a signed release form by a parent or guardian.

Evaluation data of this project may include, but is not limited to, the following:

•Quarterly online progress reports;

•Regular posting of teacher-developed tasks to a site identified by the ODE;

•Limited set of student work related to tasks developed by teachers;

•Interviews and/or surveys conducted by ODE staff or evaluators; and

•One interim report on student participation.

By signing the assurances included in this application, the grant recipient agrees to cooperate with ODE and the Chief Education Office to collect and report such data to the extent that it is possible. Reports will link not only statewide evaluation metrics, but also those identified in the proposal.

  1. Scoring and Appeals Process

A review committee will score all complete grant applications. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. (PDT) on February 5, 2016 using the process described in this document. Each application will have at least three reviewers.

The Oregon STEM Councilwill make grant award recommendations based on the score and other criteria identified in this Request for Proposal (RFP). The Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction will make the final award decision.

The Oregon Department of Education will notify all successful and unsuccessful applicants and will provide a summary of comments and suggestions related to their applications. Applicants will have one week from the date of the notification letter to contest the process used in making the funding decision through the method identified in the notification. Once appeals have been considered, the award decisions made by the Deputy Superintendent are final.

Timeline and Important Dates

Completion Dates / Activities
December 18, 2015 / Request for Proposal (RFP) available online.
January 8, 2016 / Technical Assistance Webinar – Understanding the RFP – 3:00 PM
Register for webinar at:
February 5, 2016 / Applications due to ODE by 5:00 PM PDT
February 19, 2016 / Applicants expected to be notified of preliminary award
February 26, 2016 / Deadline for appeal submission
March 4, 2016 / Applicants expected to be notified of final award
June 30, 2016 / Progress Report 1 due to ODE by 5:00 PM
September 30, 2016 / Progress Report 2 due to ODE by 5:00 PM
June 30, 2017 / Expenditure and Progress Report 3 due to ODE by 5:00PM
September 30, 2017 / Final Activity and Expenditure Report due to ODE by 5:00 PM
  1. Required Application Section

Only complete applications meeting the specifications listed below will be scored. Each of these sections is described more fully in the following pages. Please submit one document with sections in the order listed below.

Applications should be assembled in the following order:

Cover Page - Appendix A

Statement of Assurances - Appendix B

Application Narrative – This section may not exceed 15 pages.

•Project Oversight Team

•Professional Development

•Statewide Collaborative Network

•Sustainability

•Statewide Framework for Digital Literacy and Computer Science

•Evaluation

•Budget Narrative

Budget Worksheet – Appendix C. There is no page limit.

Optional: An Appendix including any supporting charts, graphs, tables and/or other materials referenced in the proposal.