Computer Science Supplementary Authorization

Background

Computer Science Supplementary Authorization Incentive Grants Created in 2021-22 Budget. The 2021-22 budget included $15 million one-time Proposition 98 General Fund for Computer Science Supplementary Authorization Incentive Grants. These funds are intended to support teachers who are pursuing computer science supplementary authorizations that allow them to teach computer science classes. The program provides school districts with grants of up to $2,500 per participating teacher, with a dollar-for-dollar match requirement. These funds may be used to cover the costs of coursework and instructional materials necessary for completing the authorizations. To date, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) has administered nine rounds of funding and awarded a total of $3.03 million. The current deadline for CTC to commit these funds is June 30, 2026. Any uncommitted funds would revert to the state.

Governor’s Proposal

Governor’s Budget Extends Encumbrance Deadline, Increases Grant Size, and Reduces Match Requirement. The Governor’s budget proposes to extend the encumbrance deadline for the program to June 30, 2030 and increase the maximum grant size to $6,000 per teacher. In addition, the Governor proposes to reduce the match requirement for districts to one-third of grant funding ($2,000 per grantee, compared with $2,500 per grantee under current law). No additional funding is proposed for the program.

Assessment

Proposal Unlikely to Change the Limited Demand for Program. Only one-fifth of the amount available has been awarded after nine rounds of funding, suggesting school districts have little interest in this program. The administration’s proposed changes are intended to increase demand by increasing the grant amount per teacher. However, based on our analysis, the $5,000 teachers receive under the current grants—$2,500 from the state and $2,500 from the district match—are sufficient to cover the costs of obtaining an authorization. For example, the cost of receiving a computer science supplementary authorization is typically less than $5,000 in both the California State University and University of California systems. As a result, a modest increase in the size of the grant, as proposed by the Governor, is unlikely to increase demand for the program.

Recommendation

Reject Proposal. We recommend the Legislature reject this proposal. By allowing these funds to revert, the Legislature could redirect them to a higher priority education purpose.