State Education Technology Plan. In 1993 education reform legislation was enacted. Among other things, this legislation directed the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), to the extent state funds are appropriated, to develop, implement, and update every two years, a state kindergarten through grade 12 education technology plan. "Education technology" is defined as the effective use of electronic and optical tools, including telephones, and electronic and optical pathways in helping students learn.
The stated purpose of the technology plan is to coordinate and expand the use of education technology in the common schools of the state. At a minimum, the plan must address: (1) the provision of technical assistance to schools and school districts for the planning, implementation, and training of staff in the use of technology in curricular and administrative functions; (2) the continued development of a network to connect school districts, institutions of higher learning, and other sources of online information; and (3) methods to equitably increase the use of education technology by students and school personnel throughout the state. To assist in the development and implementation of the technology plan, the OSPI was directed to appoint an educational technology advisory committee.
Regional Educational Technology Support Centers. The 1993 legislation also directed the educational service districts (ESDs) to establish, subject to available funding, regional educational technology support centers for the purpose of providing ongoing educator training, school district cost-benefit analysis, long-range planning, network planning, distance learning access support, and other technical and programmatic support. The state has not provided funding for these centers since 2013.
Technology Procurement. The Department of Enterprise Services has established processes for state agencies to purchase, and lease when applicable, information technology goods and services.
State's Goals. Intent language establishes that the goal of the Legislature is to: (1) accelerate universal 1:1, which means one learning device for each student, by increasing student access to, and training for, learning devices and other technology-related services and products; (2) expand the provision of training and technical assistance to instructional staff using technology to support student learning; and (3) build the capacity of schools to provide digital navigation services to students and their families.
"Learning device" is defined as an Internet-accessible computer, tablet, or other device, with an appropriate operating system, software applications, and data security, that can be used to access curricula, educational web applications and websites, and learning management systems, and with telecommunications capabilities sufficient for videoconferencing.
Technology Consultation, Procurement, and Training. Each educational service district (ESD) must, individually or in cooperation with other ESDs, provide technology consultation, procurement, and training. These services must be provided to local public schools and school districts, the Washington Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth, and the state School for the Blind.
Technology consultation involves providing technical assistance and guidance related to technology needs and financing, and may include consultation with other entities, including consultation and contract with the Department of Enterprise Services.
Technology procurement involves negotiating purchases and leasing of learning devices and peripheral devices, learning management systems, cybersecurity protection, device insurance, and other technology-related services and products. When selecting services and products for procurement, the ESD must consider a variety of student needs, as well as accessibility, age appropriateness, privacy and security, data storage and transfer capacity, and telecommunications capability.
Technology training involves developing and offering direct services related to staff development and capacity building to provide digital navigation services to students and their families. These services may be provided on a fee-for-service basis.
Technology Grants. Subject to state funding, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) must develop and administer a technology grant program to accomplish the following goals: (1) universal 1:1, which means one learning device for each student; (2) technology training for school and district staff; and (3) capacity building to provide digital navigation services that train students and their families to use technology in support of student learning.
The following entities, individually or in cooperation, may apply to the OSPI for a technology grant: a public school, which includes a charter public school, and a state-tribal compact school; a school district; an ESD; the Washington Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth; and the state School for the Blind.
At a minimum, grant applications must include: (1) the applicant's technology plan for accomplishing the goals of the grant program, the applicant's student demographics, including the percent of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals, and any specialized technology needs of the applicant's students, such as students with disabilities and English learners who may need adaptive or assistive technologies; and (2) a description of pre-existing programs and funding sources used by the applicant to provide learning devices to students, staff, or both.
When ranking and selecting applicants, the OSPI must prioritize both of the following: (1) applicants without pre-existing programs to provide a device for every student and that have 30 percent or more students eligible for free and reduced-price meals; and (2) applicants with students who have specialized technology needs. When selecting applicants, the OSPI must, to the extent possible, select applicants representing geographic diversity.
Data Collection and Reporting. By November 1, 2022, and by November 1 every even year thereafter, the OSPI must provide a report to the Legislature with:
Repealer. Statutes related to education technology plans and regional education technology support centers, as well as associated intent language and funding provisions are repealed.
Compared to the original bill, the substitute bill no longer includes provisions that:
The substitute bill modifies provisions related to technology grants, procurement, consultation, and training. It also requires the OSPI to: (1) collect and analyze biennial survey data on school and district progress to accomplish the state's goals; and (2) update the Legislature every two years with a summary of activities, data, and recommendations.
(In support—from testimony on HB 1450, which is identical to HB 1365 except for the title, on February 2, 2021) Some communities were already experiencing digital inequities before the COVID-19 pandemic and the digital divide has only worsened during the pandemic. Achieving digital equity is critical for student success long after the pandemic ends. Kids need these tools to be successful in whatever path they choose, whether that is going to college or working on a farm.
Prior to the pandemic, nearly one in 10 students lived in households without learning devices, with low-income and students of color most likely to lack devices. Even before the pandemic, students needed access to the Internet to do regular homework. A cell phone is not adequate for doing homework.
An example of digital inequity is that some households do not have the bandwidth for all members to video conference at the same time. It is not enough to say that it is the school's responsibility to provide devices, the connectivity and Internet speed issues also need to be addressed.
The bill provides students with access to and support for the digital tools they need. It provides staff with the technology support, training, and access they need to support a diverse population of students and families. It enables a coordinated response from the system by encouraging collaboration with districts, educational service districts (ESDs), and community-based organizations.
The ESDs are helping to navigate many of the challenges school districts have faced. While the bill does not address broadband access, it does address an Internet accessible device for students as part of their basic education. The ESDs normally do not provide device procurement on behalf of districts. However, the ESDs recently procured personal protective equipment for districts.
The system needs to use best practices and to collaborate and coordinate. Digital literacy and digital skill building are also important and part of this is keeping kids safe through cybersecurity and from cyberbullying. Community-based organizations can help collect data so that a digital equity plan can be developed and implemented
The funding for devices is complicated; some districts have already been providing devices, and some will only be providing devices now. In addition, some districts have purchased devices using technology levies and some have used federal money. There are 100,000 students who still need devices. The bill seeks to provide the funds for student devices through a grant program. There is a risk of a large unfunded mandate to school districts if the funds generated by the new tax are not sufficient. Rather than a grant program, the purchase of devices should be like books and part of the materials, supplies, and operating costs allocation that is part of the prototypical school funding model.
(Opposed—from testimony on HB 1450, which is identical to HB 1365 except for the title, on February 2, 2021) The problem may not be the devices, but the wireless conditions that those devices use. There is a lack of student responsibility for the devices. If a student loses or damages the devices, they will just get a new one. There is also a concern about paying for the program with a new tax.
The bill is well intentioned, but there are federal programs being launched that will address many of the issues raised in the bill. The wireless industry understands the need to keep students connected. The Federal Communications Commission has been allocated $3.2 billion to address connectivity issues and device issues. Eligible households can receive up to $50 per month subsidy for services and devices, and a one-time $100 subsidy for devices.
(Other—from testimony on HB 1450, which is identical to HB 1365 except for the title, on February 2, 2021) Digital equity is more complex than purchasing devices and training educators. There are concerns with the proscriptive language about student liability for damage or loss of devices. Some schools have mitigated the cost and impact of damage to devices on families. Students experiencing poverty and homelessness will likely suffer these punishments more often than other students. Stipulations limiting liability for willful loss or damage are not enough and are likely to be unfairly applied the same way that other school discipline disproportionately impacts students of color.
In practice, when students are issued their own device, loss and damage rates were less than 3 percent. Provisions for some loss should be built in and districts should be allowed to define and manage their own acceptable use and loss policies.
Providing devices to each student and staff is essential to close the digital divide. The digital navigator program will support students and families with technical assistance and staff with training necessary to fully engage students. The grant program will be of great support to districts and it is important to prioritize awards to ensure that the most disadvantaged students are served first. There are concerns about the funding mechanism.