H259 - 2023 Appropriations Act. (SL 2023-134)

Overview: Section 7.69 of S.L. 2023-134 requires the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to create a grant program for public school units to apply for funds to contract with Plasma Games, Inc., for the use of educational software to be used in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and career and technical education (CTE) courses. DPI must make an application available by November 15, 2023, and August 1 of each year thereafter that funds are made available. Public school units must submit applications by January 15, 2024, and October 1 of each year thereafter that funds are made available. The grants will be awarded by March 15, 2024, and December 1 of each year thereafter that funds are made available.

DPI must report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee beginning May 15, 2024, and each year thereafter that funds are made available, on the outcomes of the program, including at least the following:

• The number of public school units that submitted an application.
• The number of grants awarded.
• The percentage of grants that were awarded to public school units that previously participated in the Plasma Games pilot program.
• The average size of grants awarded.
• The average daily membership (ADM) of each public school unit that received grant awards.
• The ratio of grant funds received compared to the ADM of the public school unit.
• The total number of Plasma Games licenses in active use in the State.
• Any other information the DPI deems relevant.

This section became effective July 1, 2023.