FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6273

C 59 L 16

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning safe technology use and digital citizenship in public schools.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Liias, Litzow, Rolfes, Fain, Mullet, Carlyle, Billig, Fraser and McAuliffe).

Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

House Committee on Education

Background: Technology Literacy and Fluency. In 2007, the Legislature directed the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to develop Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) and Grade Level Expectations for educational technology literacy and technology fluency. Additionally, OSPI was required to obtain or develop education technology assessments that may be administered in elementary, middle, and high school grades to assess the EALRs for technology.

The K-12 Educational Technology Learning Standards were published in 2008. The standards are categorized around two EALRs:

• Integration - Students use technology within all content areas to collaborate, communicate, generate innovative ideas, investigate, and solve problems; and

• Digital Citizenship - Students demonstrate a clear understanding of technology systems and operations, and practice safe, legal, and ethical behavior.

Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA). This state agency is comprised of all 1477 school board members from Washington’s 295 public school districts. WSSDA is authorized by the Legislature to be self-funded and self-governed by a president and board of directors elected from school boards throughout the state. WSSDA provides materials and educational services to its members, including model policies and procedures.

Federal Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). This federal act required school districts to update their Internet safety policies in 2012. The policies must provide:

• the education of minors about appropriate online behavior, which includes interaction with other individuals on social networking sites and in chat rooms; and

• cyberbullying awareness and response.

OSPI and WSSDA updated the model policy and procedure regarding electronic resources and Internet safety in accordance with CIPA. The policy and procedure were last updated in 2015.

Summary: By December 1, 2016, OSPI must develop best practices and recommendations for instruction in digital citizenship, Internet safety, and media literacy. Best practices and recommendations must include instruction that provides guidance about thoughtful, safe, and strategic uses of online and other media resources, and education on how to apply critical thinking skills when consuming and producing information. OSPI must report to the Legislature on strategies to implement the best practices and recommendations statewide to school districts.

To develop the best practices and recommendations, OSPI must convene and consult with an advisory committee. The advisory committee must include representatives from WSSDA; experts in digital citizenship, Internet safety, and media literacy; teacher-librarians; and other stakeholders including parent associations, educators, and administrators. Recommendations produced by the advisory committee may include, but are not limited to:

• revisions to the state learning standards for educational technology;

• revisions to WSSDA's model policy and procedure;

• school district processes necessary to develop customized district policies and procedures;

• best practices, resources, and models for instruction in digital citizenship, Internet safety, and media literacy; and

• strategies to support school districts in local implementation of OSPI's best practices and recommendations.

Digital citizenship includes the norms of appropriate, responsible, and healthy behavior related to current technology use, including digital and media literacy, ethics, etiquette, and security. Digital citizenship includes the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, develop, produce, and interpret media, as well as Internet safety and cyberbullying prevention and response.

Beginning in the 2017-18 school year, a school district must annually review its policy and procedures on electronic resources and Internet safety. In reviewing and amending the policy and procedures, a school district must:

• involve a representation of students, parents or guardians, teachers, teacher-librarians, other school employees, administrators, and community representatives with experience or expertise in digital citizenship, media literacy, and Internet safety issues;

• consider customizing WSSDA's model policy and procedures on electronic resources and Internet safety;

• consider existing school district resources; and

• consider best practices, resources, and models for instruction in digital citizenship, Internet safety, and media literacy, including methods to involve parents.

Votes on Final Passage: