House Bill 0975
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Florida House of Representatives - 2000 HB 975
By the Committee on Education Innovation and
Representative Melvin
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to educational technology;
3 amending s. 229.603, F.S.; defining the term
4 "educational technology"; requiring school
5 improvement plans to include strategies for
6 implementing educational technology; providing
7 requirements for the educational technology
8 component of such plans; requiring the
9 development, submission, and annual revision of
10 a district educational technology plan;
11 requiring the Department of Education, in
12 consultation with the Educational Technology
13 Advisory Group, to develop and annually update
14 a state educational technology plan; providing
15 requirements for such plan; requiring the
16 development of technology capability
17 thresholds; requiring the department to
18 establish the Technology Services and Products
19 Bank; requiring the Technology Services and
20 Products Bank to perform certain functions;
21 revising requirements relating to the
22 distribution and use of technology funding;
23 eliminating provisions relating to technology
24 grants and grant administration; revising the
25 content of an annual report; establishing the
26 Educational Technology Advisory Group;
27 providing duties, membership, and meeting
28 procedures; providing an effective date.
29
30 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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1 Section 1. Section 229.603, Florida Statutes, is
2 amended to read:
3 229.603 Educational Instructional Technology Grant
4 Program.--There is created the Educational Instructional
5 Technology Grant Program.
6 (1) DEFINITION.--As used in this section, the term
7 "educational technology" includes all technology and
8 technology-related processes used directly or indirectly for
9 instructional purposes, including:
10 (a) The use of hardware, software, networks, distance
11 learning equipment, and related devices that support teaching
12 and learning.
13 (b) Resources that allow students and teachers to
14 exchange information with others, or permit them to access,
15 retrieve, manipulate, and display information available on the
16 Internet and elsewhere.
17 (c) Hardware, software, and processes that facilitate
18 the teaching and learning process, such as those resources
19 that support grade reporting, class scheduling, attendance
20 accounting, assessment, and similar functions.
21 (d) Endeavors relating to supporting the use of
22 technology in the classroom, such as providing technical
23 support.
24 (2) SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLANS.--Each school,
25 including schools operating for the purpose of providing
26 education services to youth in juvenile justice commitment and
27 detention facilities, must address strategies for implementing
28 educational technology in the school improvement plan which
29 has been approved by the district school board, pursuant to s.
30 230.23(16)(a). The portion of the school improvement plan
31 addressing technology must address:
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Florida House of Representatives - 2000 HB 975
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1 (a) The achievement of technology capability
2 thresholds established by the Department of Education
3 according to this section.
4 (b) Safe access to the school media center or computer
5 center outside of the regular school day.
6 (c) Technical assistance for daily operations.
7 (3) DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLANS.--Each
8 district school board must submit to the Department of
9 Education, and annually update, a strategic district
10 educational technology plan as part of the district system of
11 planning and budgeting, pursuant to s. 229.551(1)(b). The
12 district educational technology plan shall be developed using
13 information from the technology plans of schools in the
14 district and the technology capability thresholds established
15 by the Department of Education. The plan shall be for a period
16 of at least 3 years, but no more than 5 years, and the initial
17 district plan shall be submitted to the department by August
18 1, 2001. A new plan shall be submitted by August 1 in the
19 final year of the prior plan, and an update must be submitted
20 by August 1 of each of the interim years for the duration of
21 the plan. The plan shall include essential elements as
22 required by the department.
23 (4) STATE EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN.--The Department
24 of Education shall develop and annually update a state
25 educational technology plan, in consultation with the
26 Educational Technology Advisory Group. The state educational
27 technology plan shall:
28 (a) Include technology capability thresholds that
29 represent reasonable levels of technological capability to
30 fully integrate technology into a school in order for the
31 school to effectively utilize grade level appropriate
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1 educational technology in teaching and learning. When
2 developing and updating the technology capability thresholds,
3 the department and the Educational Technology Advisory Group
4 shall take into consideration technology currently available,
5 as well as forecasted innovations in technology. The
6 technology capability thresholds shall be designed to build
7 the skills that students will need to meet the demands of
8 Florida businesses and industry. The department shall develop
9 the technology capability thresholds by January 1, 2001. By
10 January 1 each year thereafter, the capability thresholds must
11 be reviewed and updated, as appropriate.
12 (b) Address student access to technology to support
13 students' educational progress in the community, at work, at
14 school, and at home. The plan shall encourage districts and
15 schools to furnish safe access to school media centers or
16 computer centers outside of the regular school day, and to
17 consider the design of entrances to media centers or computer
18 centers which are safely and readily accessible to the
19 community and to students for use before and after school
20 hours when planning for new construction or remodeling
21 projects.
22 (c) Address technology infrastructure, communication
23 updates, and upgrades for new and existing schools. The plan
24 shall encourage designs to accommodate future updating and
25 upgrading needs, to provide multiple technological access
26 points, and to facilitate teacher access to telephones and
27 telephone message systems.
28 (5) TECHNOLOGY SERVICES AND PRODUCTS BANK.--The
29 Department of Education shall establish a Technology Services
30 and Products Bank, which shall:
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1 (a) Collect, and disseminate through an Internet site,
2 information regarding hardware, software, and technology
3 services available within the state, including, but not
4 limited to, educational applications.
5 (b) Identify outdated technology; rapid changes in
6 technology; lowest prices for hardware, software, and
7 technology services; sources of hardware, software, and
8 technology services; and fluctuations in prices of hardware,
9 software, and technology services.
10 (c) Serve as a clearinghouse of information regarding
11 software research and development project proposals. Work
12 products produced as a result of publicly funded research and
13 development projects shall be reported to the Technology
14 Services and Products Bank for inclusion in the information
15 clearinghouse.
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17 The Technology Services and Products Bank may not prohibit a
18 school or district school board from selecting specific
19 technology services or products or from independently
20 obtaining the lowest price. A school or a district school
21 board may select the technology solution that most closely
22 aligns with its educational technology plan, the educational
23 philosophy of the school or district school board, and the
24 technology capability thresholds established by the Department
25 of Education.
26 (6)(1) TECHNOLOGY GRANT FUNDING.--Beginning with the
27 2001-2002 school year, district school boards shall distribute
28 to schools the funds received for public school technology on
29 the basis of the educational technology component of the
30 school improvement plan pursuant to s. 230.23(16) and this
31 section. To receive funding, a proposed project must be in a
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1 school that has achieved the appropriate technology capability
2 threshold for the proposed project, and the proposed project
3 must be consistent with both the district educational
4 technology plan and the state educational technology plan. In
5 addition, the proposal must describe how the project will
6 assist in improving student performance. Preference for
7 funding shall be given to schools that are designated as
8 performance grade category "D" or "F," pursuant to s. 229.57.
9 Preference may be given to a school that has matched the
10 request with other funds and private sector contributions to
11 the maximum extent possible.
12 (a) Eighty percent of the funds appropriated for this
13 program shall be distributed by the Commissioner of Education
14 to the state's school districts on the basis of proposals
15 submitted for implementing instructional technology. These
16 funds may be used to replicate existing instructional
17 technology programs. At least 10 percent of these funds shall
18 be used for teacher and other related training.
19 (b) At least 10 percent of the funds appropriated for
20 this program shall be used to fund research and development
21 and codevelopment of new instructional technologies and their
22 implementation in the classroom.
23 (c) Up to 10 percent of the funds appropriated for
24 this program shall be used to fund new or innovative use of
25 instructional technology or use of new instructional
26 technology.
27 (2) GRANT ADMINISTRATION.--
28 (a) Project proposals must include the following:
29 1. An outline of the proposed project activities and
30 project budget.
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1 2. A description of how the proposed project will
2 integrate instructional technology with regular classroom
3 teaching.
4 3. A description of how the project incorporates
5 state-of-the-art instructional technology which utilizes
6 advanced integrated learning systems technology and other
7 newly developed systems geared to hands-on learning and to
8 developing higher order thinking skills, including
9 problem-solving skills, understanding of abstract concepts,
10 and high-level critical thinking and applied learning skills.
11 4. A description of how the project will affect and be
12 incorporated into the overall implementation of instructional
13 technology in the school district over the next 5 years.
14 5. A description of the anticipated project results
15 and procedures for assessing the success of the project.
16 (b) During fiscal year 1990-1991, preference for grant
17 approval shall be given to projects which are dedicated to
18 elementary school implementation and which utilize advanced
19 technology to incorporate self-paced learning.
20 (c) Preference for grant approval shall be given to
21 districts which maximize their match of the grant request with
22 district funds and private sector contributions.
23 (d) The Department of Education shall adopt forms for
24 proposal applications.
25 (e) Proposals shall be recommended to the commissioner
26 by a nine-member grant review panel appointed by the
27 commissioner. The panel shall consist of two teachers, two
28 district administrators, two business people, a school
29 administrator, and two additional members selected at the
30 commissioner's discretion.
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1 (f) A portion of the grant funds utilized by the
2 commissioner under paragraph (1)(c) may be utilized to:
3 1. Administer the program.
4 2. Fund development and codevelopment activities.
5 3. Establish a clearinghouse to identify, evaluate,
6 and disseminate information regarding developments in the
7 private and public sectors of instructional technology,
8 including both software and hardware.
9 4. Disseminate information regarding successful
10 state-of-the-art systems, including an annual catalog of
11 exemplary projects and products.
12 (g) The department shall assist grant recipients in
13 using state central-purchasing resources to maximize cost
14 advantages and shall, where necessary, provide districts with
15 technical assistance for needs assessment and grant
16 preparation.
17 (7)(3) REPORTS.--Beginning January 1, 2001 1991, the
18 commissioner shall make an annual report to the Legislature
19 within 60 days prior to the beginning of the regular
20 legislative session. The report shall include:
21 (a) A summary of the status of the Educational
22 Instructional Technology Grant Program, including a
23 description of the technology capability thresholds developed
24 according to this section, and the status of school
25 achievement of the capability thresholds.
26 (b) Recommendations to improve the efficiency and
27 promote the utilization of educational instructional
28 technology.
29 (8) EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY GROUP.--There is
30 created the Educational Technology Advisory Group which shall
31 advise the Department of Education in developing and annually
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1 updating the state educational technology plan according to
2 this section. The advisory group shall consist of the
3 following 10 members, who shall not be elected officials:
4 (a) Three members appointed by the Governor, one of
5 whom shall serve as chair of the study group, and one of whom
6 shall be a principal from a school that is active in the area
7 of technology.
8 (b) Three members appointed by the Commissioner of
9 Education, one of whom shall be a teacher who is actively
10 engaged in integrating educational technology into daily
11 teaching and learning.
12 (c) Two members appointed by the President of the
13 Senate.
14 (d) Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House
15 of Representatives.
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17 Each member must possess knowledge, skills, or experience
18 relating to technology. The Governor, the Commissioner of
19 Education, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
20 House of Representatives must each appoint one member who has
21 substantial business experience in the private sector relating
22 to the technology industry. Each appointed member of the
23 advisory group shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing
24 official. A student selected by the superintendent of schools
25 of the district in which the advisory group is meeting may be
26 invited to attend and observe the meeting. The advisory group
27 shall meet at the call of the commissioner. The location of
28 each meeting of the advisory group may vary and shall be
29 determined by the commissioner.
30 Section 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a
31 law.
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Florida House of Representatives - 2000 HB 975
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2 HOUSE SUMMARY
3
Defines the term "educational technology." Requires
4 school improvement plans to include strategies for
implementing educational technology. Provides
5 requirements for the educational technology component of
such plans. Requires the development, submission, and
6 annual revision of a district educational technology
plan. Requires the Department of Education, in
7 consultation with the Educational Technology Advisory
Group, to develop and annually update a state educational
8 technology plan. Provides requirements for such plan.
Requires the development of technology capability
9 thresholds. Requires the department to establish the
Technology Services and Products Bank. Requires the
10 Technology Services and Products Bank to perform certain
functions. Revises requirements relating to the
11 distribution and use of technology funding. Eliminates
provisions relating to technology grants and grant
12 administration. Revises the content of an annual report.
Establishes the Educational Technology Advisory Group.
13 Provides duties, membership, and meeting procedures.
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