New Jersey CS Initiative to Award $2M in Grants

New Jersey is investing in helping schools statewide bolster their computer science programs and create professional development opportunities for teachers. Governor Phil Murphy's Computer Science for All State Plan will award $2 million in grants to help schools and higher education institutions train teachers, create model curricula for programs of study and prep students and teachers to earn credits for advanced computer sciences.

The grants will be available in three categories:

  • Three higher education institutions will be awarded up to $265,000 each to partner with school districts that have at least one Title I school to create "a network of computer-science hubs." Each site will provide professional development training for teachers in person, online or blended learning environments.
  • One higher education institution will receive up to $205,000 to create two model curricula programs of study: one in programming and the other in networking and cybersecurity to help secondary school districts and postsecondary career and technical education programs with implementing New Jersey's Information Technology Career Cluster.
  • At least 15 awards up to $66,500 each will be awarded to high schools to help "a larger and more diverse pool of students” to take advanced computer science courses.  The funds will help teachers and students prep for AP computer science courses, set students up on a path to receive "industry-valued" credentials in computer science or obtain computer science class credits from a college, university or other postsecondary institutions.

The grants are expected to be awarded by the spring of 2020. The grants build upon Murphy's commitment to focus on computer science education that was announced in October 2018.

The state plan has five key goals that were created with support from a state Computer Science Advisory Board that included educators with computer science and STEM experience, higher education leaders, school administrators and other stakeholders.

The five components are:

  • Adopt Standards: Develop rigorous computer science standards in all grades that provide a framework for equitable access to a coherent, robust computer science program for all students in K-12.
  • Implement Professional Learning: Develop and deliver flexible, accessible, and sustainable professional learning for educators and educator preparation providers.
  • Strengthen the Teacher Pipeline: Establish initial licensure and endorsement pathways to increase the number of educators teaching computer science.
  • Build Capacity, Partnerships, and Awareness: Engage with families, educators, higher education, school boards and other community stakeholders to leverage partnerships and promote the state plan.
  • Establish a Data-Driven Decision-Making Approach: Establish metrics for each of the goals to evaluate progress and remaining gaps; ensure the data collected can serve as a basis for establishing the funding in each of the next two fiscal cycles.

More information about the Computer Science for All Plan is available on the New Jersey Department of Education's website.

About the Author

Sara Friedman is a reporter/producer for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe covering education policy and a wide range of other public-sector IT topics.

Friedman is a graduate of Ithaca College, where she studied journalism, politics and international communications.

Friedman can be contacted at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @SaraEFriedman.

Click here for previous articles by Friedman.


Featured

  • stylized illustration of a desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone all displaying an orange AI icon

    Survey: AI Shifting from Cloud to PCs

    A recent Intel-commissioned report identifies a significant shift in AI adoption, moving away from the cloud and closer to the user. Businesses are increasingly turning to the specialized hardware of AI PCs, the survey found, recognizing their potential not just for productivity gains, but for revolutionizing IT efficiency, fortifying data security, and delivering a compelling return on investment by bringing AI capabilities directly to the edge.

  • handshake between two individuals with AI icons (brain, chip, network, robot) in the background

    Microsoft, Amazon Announce New Commitments in Support of Presidential AI Challenge

    At the Sept. 4 meeting of the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education, Microsoft and Amazon announced new commitments to expanding AI education and skills training.

  • digital learning resources including a document, video tutorial, quiz checklist, pie chart, and AI cloud icon

    Quizizz Rebrands as Wayground, Announces New AI Features

    Learning platform Quizizz has become Wayground, in a rebranding meant to reflect "the platform's evolution from a quiz tool into a more versatile supplemental learning platform that's supported by AI," according to a news announcement.

  • abstract pattern of cybersecurity, ai and cloud imagery

    Report Identifies Malicious Use of AI in Cloud-Based Cyber Threats

    A recent report from OpenAI identifies the misuse of artificial intelligence in cybercrime, social engineering, and influence operations, particularly those targeting or operating through cloud infrastructure. In "Disrupting Malicious Uses of AI: June 2025," the company outlines how threat actors are weaponizing large language models for malicious ends — and how OpenAI is pushing back.