SENATE BILL REPORT
2ESSB 5906
As Passed Senate, February 1, 2002
Title: An act relating to technology planning for public schools.
Brief Description: Creating the technology in education task force.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Finkbeiner, McAuliffe, Eide, Regala, Kastama, Hewitt, Hochstatter and Kohl‑Welles).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Education: 2/19/01, 2/27/01 [DPS].
Passed Senate: 3/14/01, 47-0.
Second Special Session: Passed Senate: 6/19/01, 44-0.
Passed Senate: 2/1/02, 47-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5906 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Carlson, Finkbeiner, Hewitt, Kastama, Kohl‑Welles, Prentice, Rasmussen and Regala.
Staff: Kelly Simpson (786‑7403)
Background: Research studies, including ones conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, find that uses of digital technology can enhance learning for students. Over the past several years, the Legislature has enacted various initiatives regarding technology use in the K-12 system. Specifically, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, to the extent funded, must develop and implement a state K-12 education technology plan.
Summary of Bill: The Technology in Education Task Force is created. The task force is responsible for developing recommendations about the use of technology and technology funding in schools with a focus on grades three through 12. The task force must submit a study, with recommendations, that includes research findings on several topics outlined in the bill. The study must be completed by November 1, 2002, with reports submitted to the education and fiscal committees of the state Senate and House of Representatives.
The task force must consist of 20 voting members (including representatives from the Legislature, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Information Services Board, school districts, educational service districts, the Higher Education Coordinating Board, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, industry, and the public). The task force must be co-chaired by the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Governor, or their designees. This act expires December 1, 2002.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.
Testimony For: The use of technology in schools is an issue that our state has to begin thinking about. Technology is an equalizer. The bill would allow us to see what has been done in the past and to make recommendations for the future.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: PRO: Greg Williamson, OSPI; Norm Wisner, WASA; Dan Steele, WSSDA.