Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Education Committee

SSB 5906

Brief Description:  Creating the technology in education task force.

Sponsors:  By Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Finkbeiner, McAuliffe, Eide, Regala, Kastama, Hewitt, Hochstatter and Kohl‑Welles).

Hearing Date:  3/22/01

Staff:  Susan Morrissey (786‑7111).

Background: 

By a 1993 law, the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) is required to develop and implement a Washington state K-12 education technology plan.  The plan, which must be updated on a biennial basis, has been developed to coordinate and expand the use of education technology in the state=s public schools.  The plan must address the following elements:

$technical assistance to schools and districts for the planning, implementation, and training of staff in the use of technology in curricular and administrative functions;

$the continued development of a network to connect districts, institutions of higher education, and other sources of on-line information; and

$methods to equitably increase the use of education technology by students and school personnel.

The SPI was required to appoint an education technology advisory committee to assist in the development and implementation of the plan.  The task force includes or included representation from a variety of state agencies, higher education, and education constituencies.

In addition to the technology responsibilities assigned to SPI, educational service districts are required to establish regional educational technology support centers to provide training, analysis, planning, access to distance learning, and other programmatic and technical support to schools in the district.  The ESD=s must establish representative advisory councils to advise the ESD on the expenditure of money for the technology support centers.

Summary of Bill: 

The Technology in Education Task Force is created.  The task force is responsible for conducting a study and developing recommendations about the use of and funding for technology in schools.  The focus of the study will be on technology use and needs in grades three through 12. 

The study will include the identification of the technology currently available in schools, the methods that districts now use to fund technology, plans to update technology, training in its use, and its integration into the curriculum.  The study will also include the different uses of technology in elementary, middle, and high school, and the use of and funding for technology in the public school in other states.  By November 1, 2001 the task force must submit the study, with recommendations, to the legislative education and fiscal committees.

The task force will consist of 18 voting members or their designees.  Members will include the Governor, four legislators, one from each caucus, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the chair of the Information Services Board, and representatives of school districts, educational service districts, the Higher Education Coordinating Board, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, industry and the public.  It is co-chaired by the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Governor, or their designees. 

This act expires December 1, 2001.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.