SENATE BILL REPORT
E2SHB 1365
As of March 15, 2021
Title: An act relating to procuring and supporting appropriate computers and devices for public school students and instructional staff.
Brief Description: Procuring and supporting appropriate computers and devices for public school students and instructional staff.
Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Gregerson, Stonier, Ramos, Callan, Simmons, Johnson, J., Taylor, Lovick, Leavitt, Ortiz-Self, Berg, Fitzgibbon, Ryu, Morgan, Wicks, Tharinger, Duerr, Ormsby, Hansen, Berry, Dolan, Valdez, Cody, Bronoske, Senn, Bateman, Bergquist, Kloba, Riccelli, Davis, Macri, Ramel, Harris-Talley, Pollet and Sells).
Brief History: Passed House: 3/1/21, 59-39.
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 3/15/21.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires each educational service district to provide technology consultation, procurement, and training to local public schools, in consultation with teacher-librarians.
  • Directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to develop and administer a technology grant program to attain a universal one-to-one student-to-learning-device ratio, expand technical support and training of school staff, and develop capacity to assist students and their families with accessing and using technology to support student learning.
  • Requires OSPI to collect data related to technology initiatives and to report data and recommendations to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION
Staff: Benjamin Omdal (786-7442)
Background:

State Education Technology Plan.  In 1993, the Legislature 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 K-12 education technology plan.  "Education technology" is defined as the effective use of electronic and optical tools, including telephones, and electronic and optical pathways to help students learn.
 
The stated purpose of the technology plan is to coordinate and expand use of education technology in the common schools of the state.  At a minimum, the plan must address: 

  • the provision of technical assistance to schools and school districts for planning, implementation, and training staff in the use of technology in curricular and administrative functions;
  • the continued development of a network to connect school districts, institutions of higher learning, and other sources of online information; and
  • methods to equitably increase use of education technology by students and school personnel throughout the state. 

 

To assist withdevelopment and implementation of the technology plan, OSPI was directed to appoint an educational technology advisory committee.
 
Regional Educational Technology Support Centers.  The 1993 legislation directed the educational service districts (ESDs) to establish, subject to available funding, regional educational technology support centers for 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.
 
Teacher-Librarians.  School library and information technology programs are defined in Washington law as school-based programs staffed by a certificated teacher-librarian.  Teacher-librarians are required to collaborate as instructional partners with content goals in all subject areas and to assist high school students with high school and beyond plans required for graduation.  Other duties include integrating information and technology into curriculum and instruction, and instructing students in critical information consumption.
Summary of Bill:

Educational Service Districts Technology Consultation, Procurement, and Training.  Each ESD must provide technology consultation, procurement, and training to local public schools and school districts, in consultation with teacher-librarians through school library information and technology programs.
 
Consultation involves providing technical assistance and guidance to local school districts related to technology needs and financing, and may include consultation with other entities.  Training aspects include developing and offering direct services to local school districts related to staff development and capacity building to provide digital navigation services to students and their families.
 
Technology procurement involves negotiating for local school district purchasing and leasing of learning devices and peripheral devices, including management systems, cybersecurity protection, device insurance, and other technology-related goods and services.  Procurement may be performed in consultation with the Department of Enterprise Services.
 
ESDs must also cooperate with OSPI to provide required data.
 
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction Technology Grant Program.  OSPI must develop and administer a technology grant program, subject to appropriation, to advance the following objectives:

  • attain a universal one-to-one student-to-learning-device ratio;
  • expand technical support and training of school and district staff to use technology to support student learning; and
  • develop district and school-based capacity to assist students and their families in accessing and using technology to support student learning.

 
When ranking and selecting applicants, OSPI must prioritize:

  • applicants without preexisting programs to provide a device for every student and that have 30 percent or more students eligible for free and reduced-price meals; and
  • applicants with students who have specialized technology needs.

 
Public schools, school districts, ESDs, the Washington Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth, and the State School for the Blind may apply to OSPI for a grant under the program.  Applications must include specific information, including the applicant's technology plan for accomplishing the goals of the program, certain demographic information, and information on any specialized technology needs.
 
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction Data Collection.  OSPI shall collect and analyze demographic, distribution, and other data related to technology initiatives, as well as provide a biennial survey on school and school district progress accomplishing the objectives of the technology grant program created under this bill.
 
By November 1, 2022, and by November 1st every even year thereafter, OSPI shall provide a report to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature with a summary of this collected data, the status of the state's and districts' progress in accomplishing the objectives of the technology grant program, and recommendations for improving the administration and oversight of technology initiatives.
 
The report must also include an update on innovative and collaborative activities occurring in communities across the state to support widespread public technology literacy and fluency, as well as student universal access to learning devices.
 
Repealer.  Statutes related to education technology plans and regional education technology support centers, as well as associated intent language and funding provisions are repealed.
Appropriation: The bill contains a section or sections to limit implementation to the availability of amounts appropriated for that specific purpose.
Fiscal Note: Available.  New fiscal note requested on March 4, 2021.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO:  This bill helps address multiple areas of digital equity.  This bill is a well thought-out policy that seeks to attain 1:1 devices for all students.  COVID-19 has laid bare the educational and technological needs of students.  The issue of technological access requires a concerted statewide effort.  The bill recognizes the roles that ESDs can play in assisting smaller school districts.  Many staff and students will benefit from this legislation.  The bill is a result of collaborations and discussions on this issue.  The bill maximizes investments while targeting those with the greatest need.
 
OTHER:  Grant funding should be developed to focus on instruction.  Additional language might be needed to clarify grant requirements.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Mia Gregerson, Prime Sponsor; Angela Jones, Washington STEM; Logan Endres, Washington State School Directors' Association; Heidi Bennett, Washington State PTA; Dennis Small, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction; Carolyn Logue, Washington Library Association; Will Daugherty, Pacific Science Center.
OTHER: Cherry Myers, Lummi Indian Business Council.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.