Request for Letters of Interest – Lone Star STEM Pilot Grant, Cycle 1, Year 1

PDF Version

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is actively seeking the participation of school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in the Lone Star STEM Pilot. Interested school districts and open-enrollment charter schools should submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) in the template included in Attachments 1 and 2 to TEA by June 20, 2019 at 5 p.m. CDT. This request for competitive Letters of Interest provides information on the initiative, requirements for participation, and steps to respond to the LOI request.

Based on LOI submissions, two types of potential grantees will be identified:

• Lone Star STEM Academy Pilot - Up to fifteen schools will be eligible to apply for Lone Star STEM Academy pilot grants of up to $50,000. Grantees will be expected to develop or expand a College and Career Readiness School Model (CCRSM) that focuses on STEM pathways, with an emphasis on computer science, cybersecurity, and 6-12 STEM education programs. Lone Star STEM Academy pilot schools will receive targeted technical assistance as well as professional development for teachers to gain certification to teach computer science and cybersecurity. Grantees will have access to Phase 2 grants of up to $15,000 and Phase 3 grants up to $15,000 if they meet fidelity of implementation requirements.

• Computer Science and Cybersecurity Professional Development - Up to fifteen additional schools will be selected as eligible to receive grants of up to $5,000 to support professional development activities that ensure staff are prepared and able to teach computer science, cybersecurity, and/or STEM education classes. They will also remain eligible for Phase 2 grants of up to $5,000 and Phase 3 grants of up to $5,000 based on fulfillment of grant requirements.

Next Steps: 

Notice of Intent to Submit LOI: Interested districts and open-enrollment charter schools are requested (although not required) to submit a notice of intent to apply by 5 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, May 30, 2019. To submit, a district or open-enrollment charter school should send an email to ccmp@tea.texas.gov with the subject line: Lone Star STEM – LOI Intent to Submit -  (ex. Lone Star STEM – LOI Intent to Submit – TEXAS ISD).

Questions: Questions regarding this Request for Letters of Interest should be emailed to ccmp@tea.texas.gov with the subject line: Lone Star STEM – LOI Questions. All questions must be submitted by 5 p.m. CDT on Monday, June 6, 2019.

LOI Submission: When finished, please send the completed Letter of Interest response forms to ccmp@tea.texas.gov with the subject line: Lone Star STEM LOI -  (example: Lone Star STEM LOI - TEXAS ISD). Responses are due by Thursday, June 20, 2019 at 5 p.m.

Attachments related to the request for Letters of Interest:

Attachment 1: Request for Letters of Interest for Cycle 1, Year 1 Grants for Lone Star STEM Pilot

Attachment 2A: Response Form: District or Charter School Network Information

Attachment 2B: School Specific Qualitative Questions

Attachment 2C: Scoring Rubric