LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Department of Education is pleased to announce that 72 applications have been selected to receive approximately $2.5 million in Career and Technical Education State Start-up Grants to assist with the development of new CTE programs of study. Of that amount, the ADE Office of Computer Science Education is providing $144,000 to CTE to fund five additional applications that have a computer science focus.

Arkadelphia Public Schools is receiving $24,225 for a business finance program. In nearby Ouachita County, Harmony Grove High School is receiving $30,430 for a robotics program.

“Each year the Division of Career and Technical Education receives state funds to assist schools with purchasing the appropriate industry standard equipment needed to start a CTE program of study,” Ross White, director of ADE’s Division of Career and Technical Education, said. “CTE programs provide students invaluable hands-on experiences to prepare students for their future careers. The grant funds provide a financial boost that schools need to start new programs that will meet business and industry needs in the future. I am excited about this year’s recipients and look forward to seeing the exceptional programs that will be implemented as a result.”

The start-up grants cover 85 percent of the costs associated with a new program, with the school district committing to cover the remaining 15 percent.

“Since 2015, our office has been committed to supporting Arkansas students, teachers and schools as they implement Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s vision for computer science and computing education,’ Anthony Owen, state director of Computer Science Education, said. “This vision has always focused on facilitating a relevant computer science education experience for all Arkansas students, and we believe that a career-focused experience is an essential component of quality learning opportunities. With this in mind, we are happy to provide DCTE with more than $144,000 in computer science initiative funding, as this will allow the division to provide additional, career-focused grants to schools around the state.”

The see the list of approved applications, go to https://bit.ly/3ERtWWs. To see previous recipients, go to https://bit.ly/3JltSMo.