Senate Bill S2302

2011-2012 Legislative Session

Enacts school technology planning act requiring regional or district-wide technology planning by school districts

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Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Education Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jan 18, 2011	referred to education

2011-S2302 (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Education
Law Section:: Education Law
Laws Affected:: Add §755, Ed L
Versions Introduced in 2009-2010 Legislative Session:: S1009

2011-S2302 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Enacts school technology planning act requiring regional or district-wide technology planning by school districts; also assigns a role for the state education department to provide technical assistance to schools, review and approve district plans and to report to the governor and the legislature on planning and funding.

2011-S2302 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S2302

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the education law, in relation to enacting the school
technology planning act

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Provide schools with the necessary
tools to plan for the use of educational technology in a manner that
is driven by educational goals; directs the State Education
Department to provide technical assistance to schools, review and
approve school district plans and report to the legislature on
planning and funding.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section three of the bill amends the
education law by adding a new section 755. Section 755, subdivision 1
requires school districts, either individually or in combination with
one or more other districts to submit to the State. Education
Department a five-year educational technology plan followed by annual
updates;
defines components to be included in the plan; and requires that
teachers be included in the planning process. Section 755,
subdivision 2 defines the role of the department, requiring that the
department provide school districts with technical assistance, review

and approve district technology plans, and report to the legislature
and governor.

EFFECTS OF PRESENT LAW WHICH THIS BILL WOULD ALTER:
Adds a new section to the education law.

JUSTIFICATION:
During the 1997-98 school year, schools throughout New
York state became eligible for federally mandated telecommunications
discounts pursuant to the 1996 federal Telecommunications Act.
Schools must apply for these dollars and will receive discounts on a
first-come, first-serve basis. Additionally, every year, scores of
public and private grants are available to schools with the
wherewithal to apply for these dollars. The problem is the great
disparity between schools that have high-tech access and those that
do not. This situation is exacerbated because districts best poised
to access discounts and grants are those which are typically more
technologically advanced.

Districts which are usually less successful in accessing aid are those
that need technical assistance, do little or no planning and do not
have the staff to support the planning effort. This legislation
provides schools with the necessary tools to tap into the new
federally mandated discounts and other available grants; to better
compete with other districts which are already one step ahead; and to
aggressively pursue other dollars to meet ongoing technology needs.
The bill requires planning by schools; provides them with technical
assistance; and requires a report to the Legislature from the State
Education Department.


The basis for this legislation is derived from an examination of the
effectiveness of state funding streams and policies in meeting state
and local goals for educational technology. Finding an absence of
data on planning, training, funding and services, the Assembly
committee on oversight, Analysis and Investigation sent a survey to
all school districts and received responses from about 60 percent of
the districts in New York State.

SEE THE 1996 ASSEMBLY OVERSIGHT, ANALYSIS AND INVESTIGATION
COMMITTEE
REPORT "PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER"

The results of the survey, in combination with SED data, underscore
the need to help districts that do not have the resources to help
themselves. The importance of long-term planning cannot be understated.
Technology is a big investment for districts and curriculum
integration is essential for effective use. This bill is aimed at
ensuring all school districts plan, that plans are based on
educational goals and include certain components such as needs
assessments, and that planning efforts include teachers. 26.7 percent
of school districts responding to Oversight's survey have no plan. It
is important to note that having a plan does not necessarily mean
that the plan is based on instructional goals, that the integration
of technology is planned effectively or that it will be integrated
into curriculum. For instance, survey results indicate that only 57.1
percent of districts have goals for technology integration in various
subjects or grade levels. This is an essential component of
meaningful educational technology planning. Through its office of
educational technology, access to model educational technology plans
and knowledge of federal actions, SED has expertise in the area of
educational technology.

This legislation makes SED's expertise available to schools through
technical assistance in helping schools develop and implement plans.
It also requires SED to review and approve school district plans to
ensure that minimal provisions are addressed and that plans are
sound. This legislation also provides the Legislature with needed
information to develop an effective approach to budgeting for
educational technology in time for the 1999-2000 fiscal year. SED
will consider the information provided by schools in technology plans
and will report to the Legislature and Governor with recommendations
on how to structure state technology aid to more effectively meet
schools' needs.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

2011-S2302 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  2302

                       2011-2012 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                            January 18, 2011
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sen.  KRUGER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
  printed to be committed to the Committee on Education

AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to  enacting  the  school
  technology planning act

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may  be  cited  as
the "School Technology Planning Act".
  S 2. Legislative findings. a. The legislature finds that:
  i.  Beginning with the 1997--1998 school year, schools became eligible
for federally mandated telecommunications discounts. Schools must  apply
for these dollars and will receive discounts on a first-come first-serve
basis.  Typically,  districts  best  poised  to access discounts and the
scores of public and private grants available for educational technology
are those which are more technologically advanced.  Districts which  are
typically less successful in accessing aid are those that need technical
assistance and do little or no planning.
  ii.  A  good  percentage  of districts in New York state do not have a
technology plan or have a plan lacking essential components. Planning is
crucial to effective use  of  technology  integration  into  curriculum.
District  technology  planning  activities  go  a  long  way  in helping
districts plan,  implement  their  plans,  seek  funds,  coordinate  and
conduct  teacher  training,  provide  in-house technical assistance, and
maintain technology systems.
  b. The legislature declares its intent to ameliorate the  deficiencies
it has identified in subdivision a of this section through the enactment
of  this  act  in  furtherance  of  equipping our students with the most
up-to-date educational tools needed for them to be self-sufficient func-
tioning members of society by participating in the  technology  that  is
revolutionizing that society.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD06799-01-1

S. 2302                             2

  S  3. The education law is amended by adding a new section 755 to read
as follows:
  S  755. SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY PLANNING. 1. REGIONAL OR DISTRICT-WIDE TECH-
NOLOGY PLANNING. A. EACH SCHOOL  DISTRICT,  EITHER  INDIVIDUALLY  OR  IN
COMBINATION  WITH  ONE  OR  MORE  OTHER  DISTRICTS OR ONE OR MORE PUBLIC
LIBRARY SYSTEMS, SHALL SUBMIT TO THE DEPARTMENT WITHIN NINETY DAYS IMME-
DIATELY AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION A FIVE-YEAR EDUCATIONAL
TECHNOLOGY PLAN AS DESCRIBED IN THIS SUBDIVISION.
  B. THE EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN SHALL ADDRESS  A  DISTRICT'S  OR  A
CONSORTIUM  OF  DISTRICTS'  PLANS  FOR  IMPLEMENTING  THE INTEGRATION OF
EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY INTO CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION AND ACTIVITIES OVER  A
PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS. THE PLAN SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE
FOLLOWING:  MAJOR  GOALS  AND  EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES FOR TECHNOLOGY INTE-
GRATION WITHIN THE DISTRICT  OR  DISTRICTS;  GOALS  FOR  INTEGRATION  OF
EDUCATIONAL  TECHNOLOGY  IN  VARIOUS  SUBJECTS/GRADE  LEVELS;  A LIST OF
PRIORITIES  AND  DIRECTIONS  FOR  IMPLEMENTING  THE  PLAN;  RESULTS   OF
DISTRICT-WIDE  BUILDING  AND INSTRUCTIONAL NEEDS ASSESSMENTS; BENCHMARKS
FOR TIMELINES AND IMPLEMENTATION; ASSESSMENT PROCESSES FOR VARIOUS STAG-
ES OF IMPLEMENTATION; PROVISIONS FOR ONGOING FUNDING; PLANS FOR PRE- AND
IN-SERVICE STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING; PLANS FOR  PROVIDING  ONGOING
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND MAINTENANCE.
  C.  THE  PLANNING PROCESS SHOULD CONSIDER AND THE PLAN MAY ADDRESS HOW
THE SCHOOL'S TECHNOLOGY EFFORTS CAN BE LINKED WITH OTHER COMMUNITY TECH-
NOLOGY NETWORKS IN PLACE OR UNDER DEVELOPMENT.  SUCH OTHER NETWORKS  MAY
INCLUDE  INFORMATION  BASED  LABOR  EXCHANGE,  EMPLOYMENT,  TRAINING  OR
LIBRARY SERVICES, AND MAY ADDRESS THE EXTENT TO WHICH  COORDINATION  AND
INFORMATION SHARING IS APPROPRIATE.
  D. ANNUALLY THEREAFTER THE REGIONAL OR DISTRICT-WIDE EDUCATIONAL TECH-
NOLOGY PLANS SHALL BE UPDATED TO REFLECT:
  (I) ACTIONS TAKEN TO MEET THE GOALS REFLECTED IN THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN;
  (II)  CHANGES  TO THE PLAN AS A RESULT OF REVISED COMPLETION TIMELINES
AND/OR  IMPLEMENTATION  SCHEDULES  OR  NEW  OR  REVISED   GOALS   AND/OR
DIRECTIONS FOR PLAN IMPLEMENTATION;
  (III)  FINANCIAL  ACCOUNTING  OF LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL EXPENDITURES
APPLIED IN CARRYING OUT THE PLAN AND IN  SATISFYING  OTHER  DEPARTMENTAL
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR EDUCA-
TIONAL TECHNOLOGY; AND
  (IV)  ANY  OTHER  INFORMATION  IN  SATISFACTION  OF OTHER DEPARTMENTAL
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
  E. INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING PROCESS SHALL  INCLUDE,  AMONG
OTHERS,  REPRESENTATIVES  DRAWN  FROM TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT
PERSONNEL WHO MAY USE, MAINTAIN, INSTALL, OR MANAGE EQUIPMENT ON A REGU-
LAR BASIS.
  2. ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT. A. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUPPORT THE USE  OF
TECHNOLOGY  IN  SCHOOLS  BY PROVIDING TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, UPON REQUEST,
WITH PRIORITY GIVEN TO THOSE DISTRICTS MOST IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE, TECH-
NICAL ASSISTANCE IN THE PLANNING, USE AND  APPLICATIONS  OF  EDUCATIONAL
TECHNOLOGY.   SUCH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED
TO PROVIDING INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE REGARDING LONG TERM  EDUCATIONAL
TECHNOLOGY  PLANNING  AND GOALS; METHODS FOR INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY INTO
CURRICULUM  AND  THE  DEPARTMENT'S  LEARNING  STANDARDS;  THE  PURCHASE,
INSTALLATION  AND  MAINTENANCE  OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT; ANY
ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE TRAINING AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHERS AND
OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL PERSONNEL IN  SUCH  EQUIPMENT  AND  TECHNOLOGY;  AND
SHARING  EXAMPLES OF MODEL SCHOOL DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLANS,

S. 2302                             3

PLANNING GUIDES, NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEYS,  AND  OTHER  RELEVANT  REFER-
ENCES.
  B.  THE  DEPARTMENT SHALL REVIEW REGIONAL OR DISTRICT-WIDE EDUCATIONAL
TECHNOLOGY PLANS TO ENSURE THAT MINIMUM COMPONENTS AS DESCRIBED IN  THIS
SECTION  ARE  ADDRESSED.   UPON DETERMINING THAT SUCH MINIMUM COMPONENTS
ARE ADDRESSED, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL APPROVE SUCH  PLAN  AND  NOTIFY  THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SUCH APPROVAL.
  C. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY
PRESIDENT  OF  THE  SENATE,  THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, AND THE CHAIR-
PERSONS OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE AND  THE  ASSEMBLY  BY
JANUARY  FIRST,  TWO  THOUSAND TWELVE BASED ON INFORMATION GATHERED FROM
REGIONAL AND DISTRICT-WIDE EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLANS AND  OTHER  DATA
AVAILABLE TO THE DEPARTMENT. THE REPORT SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED
TO  THE  FOLLOWING:  PROJECTED  COSTS  FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO IMPLEMENT
EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLANS, AND FOR THE DEPARTMENT  TO  ASSIST  SCHOOL
DISTRICTS; THE APPLICATION OF LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL EDUCATIONAL TECH-
NOLOGY AID IN MEETING SCHOOL DISTRICTS' EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY GOALS AND
NEEDS;  THE  DEPARTMENT'S  ACTIONS AND PLANS TO ASSIST SCHOOLS IN IMPLE-
MENTING EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY  PLANS  AND  GOALS;  RECOMMENDATIONS  FOR
STRUCTURING  STATE  EDUCATIONAL  TECHNOLOGY  AID  TO  BEST  SERVE SCHOOL
DISTRICTS' EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY GOALS AND NEEDS AND  ENSURE  THE  MOST
EFFECTIVE  AND EFFICIENT USE OF STATE AID; AND ANY OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
THE DEPARTMENT DEEMS RELEVANT.
  S 4. This act shall take effect immediately.

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Senate Bill S2302

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Education Committee

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2011-S2302 (ACTIVE) - Details

2011-S2302 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2011-S2302 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2011-S2302 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

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Sponsored By

Carl Kruger

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Education Committee

Actions

2011-S2302 (ACTIVE) - Details

2011-S2302 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2011-S2302 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2011-S2302 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments