S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
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                                  1032

                       2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                               (PREFILED)

                             January 9, 2013
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M. of A. GIBSON -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. HOOPER
  -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education

AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation  to  grants  for  use  of
  computer  technology  by  students  in  kindergarten and grade one and
  making an appropriation therefor

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

  Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 319 to
read as follows:
  S  319. GRANTS FOR PROMOTING USE OF TECHNOLOGY; KINDERGARTEN AND GRADE
ONE. 1. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL AWARD GRANTS FROM FUNDS AVAILABLE  THERE-
FOR  TO  LOCAL  SCHOOL  DISTRICTS  FOR THE USE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY TO
TEACH READING AND WRITING SKILLS TO STUDENTS IN KINDERGARTEN  AND  GRADE
ONE BASED ON PLANS TO USE TECHNOLOGY SUBMITTED TO HIM OR HER IN A FORMAT
PRESCRIBED BY HIS OR HER GUIDELINES.
  2.  SCHOOL  DISTRICTS  WISHING TO RECEIVE SUCH GRANTS MUST DEMONSTRATE
THAT FIFTY PERCENT OF THE TOTAL COST OF THEIR PROGRAM  IS  SUPPORTED  BY
LOCAL  REVENUES.  THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL GIVE PREFERENCE TO SCHOOLS IN
NEED OF ASSISTANCE AND TO SCHOOLS WHOSE PLANS INCLUDE MAKING  THE  TECH-
NOLOGY  AVAILABLE  FOR  ALL  KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADE CLASSES WITHIN
DESIGNATED BUILDINGS. SUCH PLANS  SHALL  NOT  BE  APPROVED  FOR  FUNDING
UNLESS  THEY  INCLUDE DOCUMENTATION WHICH SHOWS THAT THE PROPOSED SYSTEM
HAS BEEN EVALUATED AND DATA IS AVAILABLE WHICH SUPPORTS CLAIMS OF EFFEC-
TIVENESS WITH TARGET PUPILS. PRIORITY SHALL BE  GIVEN  TO  THOSE  SCHOOL
BUILDINGS  WHICH  (1) HAVE BEEN SELECTED BY THE COMMISSIONER AS BEING IN
NEED OF ASSISTANCE AND (2) INDICATE THAT ALL KINDERGARTEN AND GRADE  ONE
CLASSES  WITHIN  THE BUILDING WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT. SUCH PLAN
TO USE THE TECHNOLOGY MUST INCLUDE A DETAILED  EVALUATION  DESIGN  WHICH
WILL  RESULT  IN  EVALUATIVE DATA BEING SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSIONER IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCHEDULE  HE  OR  SHE  PRESCRIBES  AND  INCLUDE  THE

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

                                                           LBD01937-01-3

A. 1032                             2

SPECIFIC  INSERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM WHICH WILL ENSURE THAT TEACHERS AND
ADMINISTRATORS WITHIN THE BUILDING AND DISTRICT ARE  ADEQUATELY  TRAINED
TO USE THE TECHNOLOGY TO ITS FULLEST POTENTIAL.
  S  2. The sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000), or so much thereof
as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to the education  department
from  any moneys in the state treasury in the general fund to the credit
of the local assistance account not otherwise  appropriated  for  school
district  grants for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this
act. Such sum shall be payable on the audit and  warrant  of  the  state
comptroller  on  vouchers  certified  or approved by the commissioner of
education, or his or her duly designated representative  in  the  manner
provided  by  law.  No expenditure shall be made from this appropriation
until a certificate of approval of availability shall have  been  issued
by the director of the budget and filed with the state comptroller and a
copy  filed with the chairperson of the senate finance committee and the
chairperson of the assembly ways and means committee.  Such  certificate
may  be  amended  from  time to time by the director of the budget and a
copy of each such amendment shall be filed with the  state  comptroller,
the  chairperson  of the senate finance committee and the chairperson of
the assembly ways and means committee.
  S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.