RICHMOND, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- The Charlottesville Public Schools will get $124,000 in state grants to support the implementation of Virginia’s Computer Science Standards of Learning.
 
The funding will also create a partnership with the University of Virginia, Tech-Girls, and Computers4Kids, according to a news release from the office of the governor.
 
The partnerships would help develop resources, train teachers and engage K-8 students in the field of computer science.
 
The news of the grants was welcomed by Computers4Kids, a nonprofit that provides computer education and enrichment to underprivileged students. 
 
"We're excited to be able to tap into the talent of the city school teachers and programming and be able to use some of those resources here and perhaps allow some of our mentors to go to some of the training that our educators will be receiving," Computers4Kids Executive Director Kala Somerville told CBS19.
 
Governor Ralph Northam announced more than $1.3 million in state grants to support the implementation on Monday.
 
The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation requiring the Standards of Learning to include computer science and coding in 2016.
 
The state Board of Education adopted the standards in 2017, which are the nation’s first mandatory K-12 computer science standards.
 
“Knowing the basics of computer science can open doors to virtually any career in our fast-growing 21st-century economy,” Northam said. “We are working to expand career-connected learning and integrate computer science into the curriculum at every grade level. With these grants, we have a tremendous opportunity to put today’s students on a path to developing the key computer science and coding skills they need to compete for the jobs of tomorrow.”
 
The 2019 General Assembly authorized up to $1.35 million in grants to provide professional development for teachers, create computer science curriculum, instructional resources and assessments, and support summer and after-school programs, as well as provide career exposure and work-based learning opportunities for high school students in the Commonwealth, according to the release.
 
“Computer science is a core competency Virginia students need to succeed in the workforce, but educational inequities too often limit access to the resources schools can provide for students to receive a world-class STEM education,” Secretary of Education Atif Qarni said. “Through funding work-based learning, after-school programs, and other hands-on learning opportunities, with an emphasis on equity, these grants will catalyze a love of computer science within students across the Commonwealth.”
 
The legislature directed students and schools performing below state standards receive priority in the awarding of the grants.
 
The grants listed in the release are awarded as follows:
 
Radford Public Schools — $149,983 to integrate computer science in K-8 instruction and to create simulated work environments in partnership with Radford University and area businesses.
 
Virginia Beach Public Schools — $148,678 to create college-level computer science courses, extra-curricular computer science clubs, career labs, and regional partnerships to provide work-based learning opportunities for students.
 
Charlottesville Public Schools — $124,000 to create a partnership with the University of Virginia, Tech-Girls, and Computers4Kids to develop resources, train teachers, and engage K-8 students in computer science.
 
Cumberland County Public Schools — $99,800 to provide professional development in computer science for K-8 teachers in Region 8 and to create a career connections course incorporating robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles.
 
Floyd County Public Schools — $77,166 to provide interdisciplinary professional development in computer science and to integrate the Computer Science Standards of Learning into instruction with an emphasis on underrepresented student groups.
 
George Mason University — $125,000 to create a partnership between educational agencies and school divisions to improve the pedagogical practices and content knowledge of teachers and undergraduates in computer science and computational thinking.
 
Old Dominion University — $125,000 to develop a regional partnership between Old Dominion University, school divisions, and educational organizations to broaden teacher and student access to and participation in computer science learning by training teachers, developing classroom resources, increasing knowledge of computer science career pathways, and developing computer science micro-credentials.
 
Prince William County Public Schools — $125,000 to form partnerships with local institutions of higher education and local and state agencies, providing professional development opportunities for teachers and increasing awareness of the importance of computer science skills in a variety of careers.
 
Stafford County Public Schools — $118,481 to form a regional consortium to develop, disseminate, and evaluate computer science resources for grades 3-8 and create a partnership with other school divisions, institutions of higher education, military agencies, and educational organizations that will develop curricular resources, performance assessments, and lead professional development in effective computer science pedagogy.
 
University of Virginia’s College at Wise — $125,000 to support a collaborative effort between Region 7 school divisions and education agencies offering professional development in computer science, including workshops, conferences, and coursework for teachers in the region.
 
Virginia Commonwealth University — $124,922 to create a collaborative that combines teams from CodeRVA Regional High School partner school divisions to transform existing computer science courses into thematic online modules coupled with locally relevant and authentic student challenges, and to equip teachers with culturally responsive strategies for working with diverse students.
 
“The funded projects will equip our teachers to present the content of the Computer Science Standards of Learning in the context of real-life challenges and create school-to-work partnerships to connect students with career opportunities,” Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane said. “It is truly exciting to see school divisions, colleges and universities, and the private sector collaborate to implement the standards in ways that prepare students for postsecondary and career success.”
 
There is currently no applicable Standards of Learning test associated with computer science instruction.
 
The release says these academic standards were developed to provide students with an understanding of the study of computers, hardware and software designs, applications and impact on society.