1 CCR 301-49
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Colorado State Board of Education RULES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION CENTER GRANT PROGRAM 1 CCR 301-49 [Editor’s Notes follow the text of the rules at the end of this CCR Document.] _________________________________________________________________________ 2281-R-1.00 Statement Of Basis And Purpose The statutory basis for these rules, adopted on November 8, 2001, is found in Section 22-81-205(1). The Science and Technology Education Center Grant Program requires the State Board of Education to promulgate rules which include, but are not limited to, application procedures by which a not-for-profit organization may apply for grant funds through this program and criteria for selecting the successful applicants. The statute allows the State Board of Education to add to the statutory criteria. 2281-R-2.00 Definitions 2.01 “Advisory board” means the Science and Technology Education Center Grants Advisory Board created in section 22-81-204, C.R.S.
2.02 “Department” means the state department of education created in section 24-1-115, C.R.S.
2.03 “Grant program” means the Science and Technology Education Center Grant Program created in section 22-81-203, C.R.S.
2.04 “Science and technology education” means educational activities that integrate and stimulate learning, particularly in the areas of mathematics and science, through space flight simulations or through other simulations related to astronomy or space exploration.
2.05 “Science and technology education center” or “center” means a nonprofit center operated by any person or entity or group of persons or entities, including but not limited to, any nonprofit corporation that promotes aviation and aerospace education and provides science and technology education activities, materials, and educational workshops for students and their teachers.
2.06 “Grants” means the funds awarded under the grant program for development and/or operation of the science and technology education center(s).
2.07 “State Board” means the State Board of Education created in section 1 of article six of the State Constitution.
2.08 “Matching funds” means the sum of money (in the form of cash or in-kind contributions) that the entity or group receiving a science and technology education center grant must obtain from other public or private sources. This amount must be equal to or greater than the amount of the grant received through the grant program for development, expansion or improvement, and/or operation of a center. Matching funds relating to capital expenses (e.g., hardware and facilities) are eligible if spent within the year prior to the grant award or after the grant award. Matching Code of Colorado Regulations 1 funds relating to operational expenses (e.g., salaries, supplies, software and telecommunications) must be spent after the award is made.
2.09 “In-kind contributions” are calculated at the verifiable fair-market value of integral and necessary goods and services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the proposed activity.
2.10 “The fund” means the science and technology education fund established in Section 22-81-206, C.R.S.
2.11 “Endorsement” means having a letter or other document indicating that an external, nationally recognized science and technology education program approves of the program(s) of the center. This may be in the form of a letter of endorsement, a certificate of accreditation, or any like indicator.
2.12 “Fiscal year” means the twelve months from July 1st to June 30th.
2281-R-3.00 Implementation Procedures 3.01 The grant program will be in effect until July 1, 2011, unless repealed by an act of the Colorado general assembly, as long as funds are available through appropriation by the general assembly or from gifts to the fund.
3.02 Beginning on or before January 2, 2002, the State Board of Education, based on the recommendations of the advisory board shall, subject to available appropriations, annually award one or more grants for the development of new projects, expansion and improvement of existing projects and/or for the operations of science and technology education centers.
3.02.1 Awards will be based on recommendations from the advisory committee in the form of a competitive grant program (2281-R-4.00 of these rules).
3.02.2 Beginning in 2003 and subject to the availability of appropriated or gifted funds in the science and technology education fund, the state board will annually award grants, based on advisory committee recommendations, on or before April 15 for the following fiscal year.
3.03 Grants awards for developing a science and technology education center shall not exceed $500,000 for start-up expenses and may not be renewed.
3.04 Grants awards for operating a center shall not exceed $200,000 per year subject to the availability of funds in the fund.
3.05 Each center receiving a grant shall provide science and technology education activities to Colorado public school students and materials and educational workshops to Colorado public school teachers.
3.06 The department will expend up to two percent of monies appropriated to the fund to offset the costs incurred in implementing the grant program. Expenses shall include, but not be limited to:
3.06.1 Expenses relative to the development and dissemination of the request for proposal
3.06.2 Advisory committee member expenses, including travel, food and lodging.
2281-R-4.00 The Competitive Grant Program Code of Colorado Regulations 2
4.01 Applications must include:
4.01.1 Evidence that the actual or proposed location of the science and technology education center in an area of the state that is easily accessible to large numbers of public school students;
4.01.2 Evidence that establishment and ongoing operation of the science and technology education center has the support of the education providers and businesses within the community in which the science and technology education center is or will be located;
4.01.3 Evidence that the proposed or operating science and technology education center has the endorsement of a national science and technology education program that has been in operation in the united states for at least five years;
4.01.4 Evidence that the proposed or operating science and technology education center has secured the use of a facility and a description of that facility and the equipment and other technology to be used;
4.01.5 A description of the equipment and technology that is or will be provided and the activities and range of programs that are or will be offered by the science and technology education center;
4.01.6 Evidence of the receipt of, or a commitment for, the matching funds necessary to obtain moneys through the grant program under the applicant's plan to obtain such matching funds;
4.01.7 Evidence that the activities of the center are closely linked to Colorado school reform by addressing the Colorado performance-based standards for Colorado teachers, the state model content standards and the Colorado grade level expectations;
4.01.8 Evidence that the activities of the center provide in-service training to Colorado public school teachers and that the curriculum activities complement the grade level expectations and are not in addition to them.
4.01.9 Evidence that the centers have an effective plan to provide instruction and professional development activities to rural students and teachers.
4.01.10 Evidence of acceptable management techniques, including but not limited to, a sound budget, realistic timeline, and sound operational methodologies; including, effective goals and objectives tied to a needs assessment and an annual evaluation of the center's activities, including its effectiveness in improving math and science instruction and in increasing student participation in mathematics and science courses, especially among traditionally underserved groups, identification of key personnel, and a realistic sustainability plan;
4.01.11 Evidence that each center's personnel are qualified and capable;
4.02 Each center must complete an annual report in order to qualify for subsequent years' allocations.
4.03 Department staff will develop the request for proposal and will assist the advisory committee in reviewing grant applications and preparing the list of recommended recipients and grant amounts.
4.04 The State Board of Education will announce award recipients per section 3.02 of these rules. 2281-R-5.00 Gifts, Grants, and Donations Code of Colorado Regulations 3 5.01 The department shall solicit such public and private gifts, grants and donations as may be available to fund the grant program. Any moneys so received shall be credited to the fund. _________________________________________________________________________ Editor’s Notes History Code of Colorado Regulations 4