S257 - 2026 Appropriations Act. (SL 2026-41)

School Eligibility – Any public school unit (PSU) is eligible to apply to the Robotics Program to develop an after school robotics program with a robotics partner in any high school within the PSU. A "robotics partner" is a third‑party entity, such as a nonprofit organization or institution of higher education, that is approved by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and is able to provide adequate support for an after‑school robotics program. To provide adequate support, a robotics partner must meet at least all of the following criteria:

• Have a national presence in robotics education and competition.
• Provide adequate instruction and programming for students and adult volunteers in (i) robotics education, (ii) project based learning, and (iii) competitive robotics.
• Promote a safe and equitable social environment.

Applications for the Grant Program – DPI must develop application materials and selection criteria for the Robotics Program. Applications must include (i) evidence that the applicant has or will be able to establish a relationship with a robotics partner and (ii) a proposed budget for the after‑school robotics program.

Award and Use of Funds – DPI must prioritize awarding grants to PSUs that had an after‑school robotics program in the prior school year. Grant awards are capped at $15,000 dollars per participating high school in the PSU. The grants can be used for any of the following purposes:

• Establishing a relationship with a robotics partner.
• Purchasing robotics kits.
• Providing stipends for coaches.
• Making payments associated with participation in a robotics league or robotics competition.
• Paying fees incurred as part of the administration of a robotics team.
• Providing transportation to after‑school robotics program meetings for certain participating students.

Student Eligibility – If a student is enrolled in a school that does not offer an after‑school robotics program, that student is eligible to participate in the after‑school robotics program of the school located geographically closest to where the student resides that does have a program. A school can set guidelines for student participation in extracurricular activities, such as academic performance requirements, and it can also conduct a selection process for student participation.

Reporting – By April 1, 2027, DPI must report the following information to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and the Fiscal Research Division:

• The PSUs receiving grants and the amount of the grant.
• A description of how the grants were used.
• The PSUs that applied for grants but did not receive one.
• The extent to which students participating in after‑school robotics programs funded by the Robotics Program experienced measurable improvement in academic performance.
• Any other information DPI deems relevant to evaluation of the Robotics Program.

This section became effective July 1, 2026.