SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5906

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Education, February 27, 2001

Title:  An act relating to technology planning for public schools.

Brief Description:  Creating the technology in education task force.

Sponsors:  Senators Rasmussen, Finkbeiner, McAuliffe, Eide, Regala, Kastama, Hewitt, Hochstatter and Kohl‑Welles.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  2/19/01, 2/27/01 [DPS].

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:  Casey Bui (786‑7448)

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. Several agencies have conducted surveys and assessments on various aspects of technology-related issues, but no current statewide technology plan exists today.

Summary of Substitute 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, 2001, with reports submitted to the education and fiscal committees of the state Senate and House of Representatives.

The task force must consist of 18 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).  It is co-chaired by the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Governor, or their designees.  This act expires December 1, 2001.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill adds the integration of technology into the school curriculum as one of the areas that the task force will study.  It also revises the membership of the task force to include two representatives appointed by the Higher Education Coordinating Board, three representatives of the public appointed by the Governor, and one representative appointed by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.  The Governor, instead of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), appoints the task force member representing the computer or digital technology industry.  The task force is co‑chaired by the Governor and SPI or their designees, rather than just the SPI.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 13, 2001.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  This is an issue that our state has to begin thinking about.  Technology is an equalizer.  The bill would allow us to see what we've been doing in the past and make recommendations for the future.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO: Greg Williamson, OSPI; Norm Wisner, WASA; Dan Steele, WSSDA.