The Iowa Department of Education today announced that $850,000 in competitive grant funding is available to Iowa school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to align computer science programs, including career and technical education programs in information technology and business management and administration, with the attainment of industry-recognized credentials. The department’s new Credentials to Computer Science Careers grant will support high schoolers earning in-demand technology credentials with labor market value. Industry-recognized credentials are certifications, credentials or licenses that are vetted by employers and endorsed by a nationally recognized trade association or organization in a particular industry. Applications for the Credentials to Computer Science Careers grant are being accepted now at IowaGrants.gov. The application deadline at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 30. This competitive grant opportunity is part of a comprehensive statewide initiative to expand opportunities for students to attain an industry-recognized credential while in high school. Recent legislation directs the department to develop and distribute a seal to school districts to include on high school transcripts to recognize high school graduates who attain an industry-recognized credential while in high school. Funds for the Credentials to Computer Science grant are provided through a portion of a 2007 court-approved settlement of a class-action antitrust lawsuit filed against Microsoft Corp designated to expanding computer science education in Iowa.