BILL REQ. #:  S-3580.1 

Read first time 01/16/2004.   Referred to Committee on Education.

     AN ACT Relating to a study of technology in the public schools; creating a new section; making an appropriation; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall convene a technology in education task force to develop recommendations about the use of technology and recommendations about funding technology in the schools after conducting a study. The study shall focus on the application of technology in grades three through twelve. The study shall be completed by November 1, 2004, and the recommendations shall be submitted to the education and fiscal committees of the house of representatives and the senate. The study shall include but not be limited to:
     (a) The technology currently available in schools and school districts. Technology includes but is not limited to computers, local area networks, and access to electronic media on the internet;
     (b) Methods school districts are using currently to fund technology and recommendations for the future;
     (c) Plans to update the technology including any replacement schedules;
     (d) Training in the use of technology;
     (e) Integration of technology into the curriculum;
     (f) The different uses of technology in upper elementary grades, middle school, and high school; and
     (g) Applications of technology in schools in other states and how that technology is funded.
     (2) The technology in education task force shall consist of the following voting members or their designees: One member from each major caucus of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate; one member from each major caucus of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; the superintendent of public instruction; the chair of the information services board; one representative of the community and technical colleges, appointed by the state board for community and technical colleges; one educational service district superintendent, one school district superintendent, one principal, one teacher, three representatives of the computer or digital technology industry, and three members of the general public, each appointed by the superintendent of public instruction; and two representatives appointed by the higher education coordinating board. The superintendent of public instruction, or the superintendent's designee, shall chair the task force.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The sum of ninety-two thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction to carry out the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.