Text: HF00692 Text: HF00694 Text: HF00600 - HF00699 Text: HF Index Bills and Amendments: General Index Bill History: General Index
PAG LIN
1 1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 256G.1 NEW CENTURY LEARNING
1 2 TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE – PURPOSE AND DEFINITIONS – CONTINGENT
1 3 IMPLEMENTATION.
1 4 1. A new century learning technology initiative is
1 5 established to enable the full integration of wireless
1 6 learning technology into teaching and learning for the state's
1 7 elementary and secondary students. The purpose of the
1 8 initiative includes motivating and assisting students to
1 9 achieve at high levels and preparing them to become the
1 10 knowledge workers of the twenty-first century workforce by
1 11 providing them with the information literacy skills necessary
1 12 to compete in the global market. The initial goal of the
1 13 initiative is to ensure one-to-one access to and ubiquitous
1 14 use of a fully configured laptop computer for all seventh and
1 15 eighth grade students and educators in the public and
1 16 accredited nonpublic schools in Iowa. The goal shall be
1 17 implemented through a public-private partnership created to
1 18 provide a total solutions learning technology package that
1 19 shall include, but shall not be limited to, hardware,
1 20 software, professional development, services and support, and
1 21 shall be managed by a single point of contact for the overall
1 22 implementation. Subsequent to the success of the initial
1 23 goal, it is the ultimate goal of the initiative to ensure one-
1 24 to-one access to and ubiquitous use of a fully configured
1 25 laptop computer in all grades for students and educators in
1 26 Iowa.
1 27 2. For purposes of this chapter, unless the context
1 28 clearly indicates otherwise:
1 29 a. "Alternative equivalent value factor" means the ratio
1 30 of funding provided to school administrative units that choose
1 31 to provide an alternative equivalent learning technology plan
1 32 that meets the guiding principles described in section 256G.4,
1 33 subsection 3.
1 34 b. "Commission" means the new century learning technology
1 35 commission created by section 256G.6.
2 1 c. "Fund" means the new century learning technology fund
2 2 created by section 256G.2.
2 3 d. "Plan" or "learning technology plan" means the new
2 4 century learning technology plan developed by the commission
2 5 in accordance with section 256G.4.
2 6 e. "State board" means the state board of education.
2 7 3. The provisions of this chapter shall be implemented
2 8 only if the general assembly appropriates money for the
2 9 purposes of a new century learning technology initiative,
2 10 commission, and fund, and for a public-private partnership in
2 11 accordance with this chapter.
2 12 Sec. 2. NEW SECTION. 256G.2 FUND.
2 13 1. A new century learning technology fund is created and
2 14 established as a separate and distinct fund in the state
2 15 treasury. The moneys in the fund are appropriated to the new
2 16 century learning technology commission for purposes of the new
2 17 century learning technology initiative established pursuant to
2 18 this chapter. Moneys in the fund shall not be subject to
2 19 appropriation for any other purpose by the general assembly,
2 20 but shall be used only for the purposes of the new century
2 21 learning technology fund. The treasurer of state shall act as
2 22 custodian of the fund and disburse moneys contained in the
2 23 fund as directed by the commission. The fund shall be managed
2 24 and governed in a manner that provides for the financially
2 25 sustainable support, use, and integration of learning
2 26 technology in Iowa schools through a public-private
2 27 partnership as provided in section 256G.3. The fund shall be
2 28 administered by the commission, which shall make expenditures
2 29 from the fund consistent with the purposes of the initiative
2 30 without further appropriation. However, an applicant under
2 31 the initiative shall not receive more than seventy-five
2 32 million dollars in financial assistance from the fund.
2 33 2. Revenue for the fund shall include, but is not limited
2 34 to, moneys in the form of a devise, gift, bequest, donation,
2 35 federal or other grant, reimbursement, repayment, judgment,
3 1 transfer, payment, or appropriation from any source intended
3 2 to be used for the purposes of the fund.
3 3 3. Moneys in the fund may be used for necessary audit
3 4 services, legal expenses, investment management fees and
3 5 services, and general administrative expenses related to the
3 6 management and administration of the initiative.
3 7 4. Moneys in the fund are not subject to section 8.33.
3 8 Notwithstanding section 12C.7, subsection 2, interest or
3 9 earnings on moneys in the fund shall be credited to the fund.
3 10 Sec. 3. NEW SECTION. 256G.3 PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.
3 11 A public-private partnership shall be established to
3 12 implement the initiative. The public-private partnership
3 13 shall be selected by the commission through a request for
3 14 proposals process for a total solutions learning technology
3 15 package that includes, but is not limited to, hardware,
3 16 software, professional development, and service and support,
3 17 and shall be managed by a single point of contact responsible
3 18 for the overall implementation. The proposal selected by the
3 19 commission shall achieve significant efficiencies and
3 20 economies of scale, be interoperable with existing
3 21 technologies, and be consistent with the state's economic
3 22 development and education policies. The private provider
3 23 selected in the request for proposals process to partner with
3 24 the state must possess all of the following:
3 25 1. Experience in the development and successful
3 26 implementation of large-scale, school-based wireless
3 27 technology projects.
3 28 2. Proven technical ability to deliver a total solutions
3 29 package of learning technology for elementary and secondary
3 30 students and teachers.
3 31 3. Demonstrated financial capability and long-term
3 32 stability to partner with the state over the term of the
3 33 private provider contract.
3 34 4. Proven results-based education solutions to increase
3 35 student achievement and advance professional development for
4 1 teachers.
4 2 5. Nationally recognized expertise, experience, and
4 3 capabilities in education practice and evaluation methods.
4 4 Sec. 4. NEW SECTION. 256G.4 ANNUAL PLAN.
4 5 1. ANNUAL PLAN. The commission shall develop a new
4 6 century learning technology plan to achieve the goal of
4 7 preparing students for an economy that is increasingly
4 8 dependent on technology and innovation. The commission shall
4 9 review the plan annually and shall amend the plan as
4 10 necessary.
4 11 2. PLAN CONSIDERATIONS. The plan shall include, but is
4 12 not limited to, consideration of the following:
4 13 a. The appropriate structure, governance, and oversight of
4 14 the initiative.
4 15 b. The current use of wireless learning technology in
4 16 classrooms by students and teachers in the state.
4 17 c. The professional development needed to integrate
4 18 wireless learning technology into classroom teaching.
4 19 d. Assessment of the strategy and goals for improving and
4 20 equalizing access to and the use of wireless learning
4 21 technology in all schools.
4 22 e. Implementation of the plan in the phases as specified,
4 23 at a minimum, in subsection 5.
4 24 f. Strategies that coordinate the learning technology in
4 25 kindergarten through grade twelve with the initiatives and
4 26 resources of the department of education, the Iowa
4 27 communications network, area education agencies, higher
4 28 education institutions providing practitioner preparation
4 29 programs approved by the department of education, and other
4 30 accredited postsecondary institutions in the state.
4 31 g. Data tracking and assessment of the progress in
4 32 implementing the goals of the initiative and the plan.
4 33 h. Strategies that establish a public-private partnership
4 34 between state government and a private business with a proven
4 35 record of success in undertakings of similar focus and size.
5 1 3. GUIDING PRINCIPLES. The plan shall be consistent with
5 2 the following guiding principles:
5 3 a. EQUITY. The plan shall promote equal opportunity for
5 4 and provide meaningful access to wireless learning technology
5 5 resources for all Iowa students regardless of geographic
5 6 location or economic means.
5 7 b. INTEGRATION WITH THE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND TEACHER
5 8 QUALITY PROGRAM ESTABLISHED IN CHAPTER 284. The plan shall
5 9 support student achievement through the integration of
5 10 learning technologies that are content-focused and that add
5 11 value to existing instructional methods.
5 12 c. SUSTAINABILITY AND AVOIDANCE OF OBSOLESCENCE. The plan
5 13 shall provide for the future sustainability of learning
5 14 technology resources by adapting to future educational needs
5 15 and technological changes and by avoiding obsolescence of
5 16 learning technology resources.
5 17 d. TEACHER PREPARATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. The
5 18 plan shall provide professional development and training
5 19 programs for teachers and other educators in the use and
5 20 integration of learning technology tools in curriculum
5 21 development, instructional methods, and student assessment
5 22 systems.
5 23 e. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. The plan shall foster economic
5 24 development across all regions of the state and the
5 25 preparation of students for an economy that embraces
5 26 technology and innovation.
5 27 4. PLAN COMPONENTS. At a minimum, the plan shall include
5 28 the following components:
5 29 a. GOAL. The initial goal of phase I of the initiative
5 30 plan is to ensure one-to-one access to and ubiquitous use of
5 31 fully configured laptop computers in all grade seven public
5 32 and accredited nonpublic school classes. The initial goal
5 33 shall include training and learning opportunities for all
5 34 public and accredited nonpublic school students in grade seven
5 35 and their teachers. Following the successful implementation
6 1 of phase I, the ultimate goal is to ensure one-to-one access
6 2 to and ubiquitous use of a fully configured laptop computer
6 3 for all public and accredited nonpublic school classes.
6 4 b. LOCAL PARTICIPATION. All school districts and
6 5 accredited nonpublic schools in Iowa may participate in the
6 6 new century learning technology initiative by submitting
6 7 before December 1, 2003, a written statement indicating their
6 8 willingness to participate to the commission. A school
6 9 district or accredited nonpublic school that can meet its
6 10 student achievement needs while also meeting or exceeding the
6 11 requirements of the proposal selected as provided in section
6 12 256G.3 may submit, by December 1, 2003, an application to the
6 13 commission to receive the alternative equivalent value factor
6 14 of the goods and services included in the contract minus an
6 15 amount determined by the commission to reflect certain
6 16 efficiencies and economies of scale factors gained by the
6 17 state contract. The commission shall notify the school
6 18 district or accredited nonpublic school of its approval or
6 19 disapproval of the application by January 15, 2004.
6 20 5. PHASED IMPLEMENTATION. The plan shall be implemented
6 21 in phases, with the initial phase beginning in January 2004
6 22 for all grade seven public school classes in approximately
6 23 fifteen school districts in the state selected by the
6 24 commission. The plan shall be extended in the 2004-2005
6 25 school year to include all grade seven public and accredited
6 26 nonpublic school classes. In school year 2005-2006, the plan
6 27 shall be extended to include all grade eight public and
6 28 accredited nonpublic school classes. The commission shall
6 29 annually assess the feasibility of, and recommend a strategy
6 30 for, the expansion of the program to other public and
6 31 accredited nonpublic school grade levels.
6 32 6. COORDINATION, UTILIZATION, AND EXPANSION OF EXISTING
6 33 TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE. The plan shall require the
6 34 utilization of the Iowa communications network to enable and
6 35 complement the technology components that are supported by the
7 1 fund. Appropriate policymaking entities shall collaborate to
7 2 ensure that the overall learning technology infrastructure of
7 3 the state functions and expands in a coordinated fashion. The
7 4 Iowa telecommunications and technology commission shall take
7 5 appropriate actions to ensure that capacity is developed and
7 6 expanded to provide external network connections, technical
7 7 support, and network access.
7 8 7. PLAN REQUIREMENTS. The plan shall provide for all of
7 9 the following:
7 10 a. Wireless, fully configured laptop computers with a
7 11 basic productivity suite of functional software for all
7 12 students and teachers as provided by this chapter.
7 13 b. An alternative equivalent value factor option for
7 14 school districts and accredited nonpublic schools as provided
7 15 in subsection 4, paragraph "b".
7 16 c. Teacher technology and professional development.
7 17 d. Internal networks and technical support.
7 18 e. Costs for replacement or repair of fully configured
7 19 laptop computers, servers, and other hardware.
7 20 f. An annual evaluation component. The commission shall
7 21 annually submit an evaluation report with recommendations to
7 22 the general assembly, the department of management, and the
7 23 legislative fiscal bureau.
7 24 Sec. 5. NEW SECTION. 256G.5 PLAN FUNDING AND BUDGET.
7 25 1. ANNUAL PLAN RECOMMENDATION. Prior to October 1 of each
7 26 year, the commission shall recommend to the governor the
7 27 funding level for implementing the plan.
7 28 2. BUDGET DEVELOPMENT. By January 1, 2004, and annually
7 29 by January 1 thereafter, the commission, with the assistance
7 30 of the department of management, shall prepare an annual
7 31 budget for the implementation of the plan consistent with the
7 32 terms of the contract negotiated and approved as provided in
7 33 section 256G.6, subsection 10, and section 256G.7, subsection
7 34 2.
7 35 3. GUIDELINES. The recommended funding level for the plan
8 1 annually shall include the known obligations and estimates of
8 2 the following:
8 3 a. The level of expenditure for purchases of wireless,
8 4 fully configured laptop computers.
8 5 b. The level of expenditures for software and services
8 6 such as technical support and education intranet services.
8 7 c. Funds designated by the commission for professional
8 8 development and services.
8 9 d. Funds designated by the commission for the expenditures
8 10 for the alternative equivalent value factor.
8 11 e. Funds designated by the commission for the purpose of
8 12 making adjustments to the cash flow of revenues generated from
8 13 the initiative.
8 14 4. FUNDING LEVEL. The governor's budget, prepared and
8 15 submitted to the general assembly pursuant to sections 8.21
8 16 and 8.22, shall include an appropriation sufficient to
8 17 implement the plan.
8 18 Sec. 6. NEW SECTION. 256G.6 COMMISSION – MEMBERS.
8 19 1. COMMISSION CREATED. A new century learning technology
8 20 commission is created to establish the policies and determine
8 21 the necessary budget for implementation of the new century
8 22 learning technology initiative.
8 23 2. MEMBERS. The commission shall initially be appointed
8 24 no later than July 1, 2003, and shall consist of fourteen
8 25 members appointed as follows:
8 26 a. Seven voting members who shall be members of the
8 27 general public, one of whom shall be appointed by the
8 28 governor, two of whom shall be appointed by the president of
8 29 the senate, one of whom shall be appointed by the minority
8 30 leader of the senate, two of whom shall be appointed by the
8 31 speaker of the house of representatives, and one of whom shall
8 32 be appointed by the minority leader of the house of
8 33 representatives.
8 34 b. One nonvoting, ex officio member who is a member of the
8 35 state board and is appointed by the chairperson of the state
9 1 board.
9 2 c. One nonvoting, ex officio member representing public
9 3 postsecondary education institutions who is employed by a
9 4 public postsecondary education institution and who is
9 5 appointed by the governor.
9 6 d. Three nonvoting, ex officio members representing three
9 7 different school districts and who are appointed by the
9 8 governor as follows:
9 9 (1) A teacher employed by a school district or area
9 10 education agency who is appointed from a list of three names
9 11 submitted by a certified employee organization representing
9 12 teachers licensed under chapter 272.
9 13 (2) An administrator employed by a school district who is
9 14 appointed from a list of three names submitted by a statewide
9 15 organization representing administrators licensed under
9 16 chapter 272.
9 17 (3) A member of a board of directors of a school district
9 18 who is appointed by a statewide organization representing
9 19 school boards.
9 20 e. One nonvoting, ex officio member who is a member of the
9 21 senate and is appointed by the president of the senate.
9 22 f. One nonvoting, ex officio member who is a member of the
9 23 house of representatives and is appointed by the speaker of
9 24 the house of representatives.
9 25 3. EXPERIENCE AND SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE. In appointing
9 26 members to the commission, proper consideration shall be given
9 27 to persons with experience or special knowledge in one or more
9 28 of the following areas: education, business, economic
9 29 development, technology, and finance.
9 30 4. BALANCE. Commission members shall be appointed in
9 31 compliance with sections 69.16 and 69.16A. Appointments of
9 32 public members shall be made to provide broad representation
9 33 of the various geographical areas of the state insofar as
9 34 possible.
9 35 5. CHAIRPERSONS. The commission shall elect a chairperson
10 1 and a vice chairperson annually from among the voting members
10 2 of the commission. A member shall not serve as a chairperson
10 3 or vice chairperson for more than three consecutive years.
10 4 6. MEETINGS. The commission shall meet at least three
10 5 times each year.
10 6 7. QUORUM. A majority of the voting members constitutes a
10 7 quorum for the transaction of any official business.
10 8 8. TERMS OF MEMBERS. The members shall be appointed to
10 9 three-year staggered terms and the terms shall commence and
10 10 end as provided by section 69.19. If a vacancy occurs, a
10 11 successor shall be appointed to serve the unexpired term. A
10 12 successor shall be appointed in the same manner and subject to
10 13 the same qualifications as the original appointment to serve
10 14 the unexpired term.
10 15 9. EXPENSES. Members of the commission are entitled to
10 16 receive reimbursement for actual expenses incurred while
10 17 engaged in the performance of official duties.
10 18 10. STAFFING ASSISTANCE. The director of the department
10 19 of management shall provide the commission with administrative
10 20 and technical assistance. The department, in cooperation with
10 21 the attorney general, shall conduct contract negotiations to
10 22 establish a public-private partnership in accordance with this
10 23 chapter on behalf of the commission.
10 24 Sec. 7. NEW SECTION. 256G.7 DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.
10 25 The powers and duties of the commission include the
10 26 following:
10 27 1. ANNUAL LEARNING TECHNOLOGY PLAN. The commission shall
10 28 develop a plan as described in section 256G.4, which must
10 29 provide the basis for the annual appropriation of funds by the
10 30 general assembly for purposes of the initiative.
10 31 2. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS AND TIMELINE. The commission
10 32 shall develop and issue a request for proposals not later than
10 33 August 1, 2003. The commission shall select finalists from
10 34 among the persons submitting proposals not later than
10 35 September 15, 2003. Not later than October 1, 2003, the
11 1 commission shall select the private provider who shall partner
11 2 with the state to implement the initiative. Prior to the
11 3 final selection, the commission, or up to three voting members
11 4 of the commission or their designees, shall conduct site
11 5 visits to no fewer than two selected sites currently
11 6 implementing projects that meet the requirements of the
11 7 request for proposals. The commission may enter into a
11 8 contract negotiated as provided in section 256G.6, subsection
11 9 10. The term of the contract shall commence not later than
11 10 January 1, 2004, and shall consist of a phased implementation
11 11 as provided in section 256G.4, subsection 5. The school
11 12 districts and accredited nonpublic schools chosen for the
11 13 initial phase I deployment of computers to students and
11 14 teachers in grade seven in approximately fifteen school
11 15 districts and accredited nonpublic schools shall have
11 16 demonstrated administrative leadership, teacher willingness to
11 17 participate, and community support, and shall represent
11 18 geographically distinct rural, urban, and suburban areas of
11 19 the state. All teachers who teach public and accredited
11 20 nonpublic school grade seven shall receive professional
11 21 development to integrate wireless learning technology into
11 22 classroom teaching between January and July of 2004, prior to
11 23 the full implementation of the initiative in all public and
11 24 accredited nonpublic school grade seven and classrooms
11 25 statewide. All teachers who teach public and accredited
11 26 nonpublic school grade eight shall receive professional
11 27 development to integrate wireless learning technology into
11 28 classroom teaching between January and July of 2005, prior to
11 29 the full implementation of the initiative in all public and
11 30 accredited nonpublic school grade eight classrooms statewide.
11 31 Each student receiving a laptop computer under the initiative
11 32 and the student's parent or guardian shall participate in an
11 33 orientation prior to receiving the laptop computer.
11 34 3. LEARNING TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS AND MEASUREMENTS. To
11 35 measure the effectiveness of the plan, the commission may
12 1 establish standards and methods of measuring progress in the
12 2 levels of academic achievement for, and engagement of,
12 3 students who participate in the initiative. The commission
12 4 may also establish standards and methods of measuring progress
12 5 in the professional development of teachers who participate in
12 6 the learning technology programs funded by the plan, as well
12 7 as standards and methods of measuring the impact of the plan
12 8 on parents and lifelong learners and on improved communication
12 9 with parents, and the economic impact of the plan on
12 10 communities across the state. The commission may assess the
12 11 impacts of the plan according to these standards and
12 12 measurements.
12 13 4. SCOPE OF ASSESSMENT ROLE. As part of its assessment
12 14 role, the commission may consider relevant strategic issues
12 15 necessary to develop, maintain, and support the achievement of
12 16 the goals of the plan. These issues may include, but are not
12 17 limited to, collaboration with the state board regarding the
12 18 implications of the plan for preservice teacher preparation
12 19 and for standards-based teacher licensure in the state, as
12 20 well as collaboration with other state agencies and state
12 21 policymakers related to other strategic issues necessary to
12 22 ensure the most cohesive system possible for planning, action,
12 23 and service in providing kindergarten to grade twelve
12 24 educational opportunities.
12 25 5. ANNUAL REPORT. The commission shall report annually to
12 26 the house and senate standing education committees and the
12 27 joint subcommittee on education appropriations on the general
12 28 status of the finances and operations of the plan, including
12 29 the results of the assessments pursuant to subsections 3 and
12 30 4.
12 31 Sec. 8. INITIAL TERMS – NEW CENTURY LEARNING TECHNOLOGY
12 32 COMMISSION. Terms of the initial appointments for the new
12 33 century learning technology commission created pursuant to
12 34 section 256G.6 shall be staggered as follows:
12 35 1. Terms expiring April 30, 2005, include one voting
13 1 member appointed by the president of the senate, one voting
13 2 member appointed by the speaker of the house of
13 3 representatives, one member appointed by the governor, the
13 4 nonvoting, ex officio member of the house of representatives
13 5 appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, and
13 6 the nonvoting, ex officio member appointed by the Iowa
13 7 association of school boards.
13 8 2. Terms expiring April 30, 2006, include one voting
13 9 member appointed by the minority leader of the senate, one
13 10 voting member appointed by the minority leader of the house,
13 11 the nonvoting, ex officio member representing public
13 12 postsecondary education institutions, the nonvoting, ex
13 13 officio member of the senate appointed by the president of the
13 14 senate, and the nonvoting, ex officio member representing
13 15 teachers.
13 16 3. Terms expiring April 30, 2007, include one member
13 17 appointed by the president of the senate, one member appointed
13 18 by the speaker of the house, the nonvoting, ex officio member
13 19 representing the state board of education, and the nonvoting,
13 20 ex officio member representing school administrators.
13 21 Sec. 9. INITIAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION. The new century
13 22 learning technology commission shall implement the new century
13 23 learning technology initiative plan, developed in accordance
13 24 with section 256G.4, by January 1, 2004.
13 25 Sec. 10. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act, being deemed of
13 26 immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
13 27 EXPLANATION
13 28 This bill creates and establishes a new century learning
13 29 technology initiative to initially provide public and
13 30 accredited nonpublic school students attending grades seven
13 31 and eight with laptop computers and ultimately to enable the
13 32 full integration of wireless learning technology into teaching
13 33 and learning for the state's elementary and secondary
13 34 students. The bill also creates a new century learning
13 35 technology commission and a new century learning technology
14 1 fund. The implementation of the Code chapter established by
14 2 the bill is subject to an appropriation by the general
14 3 assembly.
14 4 Under the bill, the commission is created to establish the
14 5 policies and determine the necessary budget for implementation
14 6 of the initiative. The commission consists of seven voting
14 7 and seven nonvoting, ex officio members. The members serve
14 8 three-year staggered terms and are entitled to receive
14 9 reimbursement for expenses. The department of management is
14 10 directed to provide the commission with administrative and
14 11 technical assistance and to work with the attorney general's
14 12 office to conduct contract negotiations on behalf of the
14 13 commission.
14 14 The bill provides for the establishment of a public-private
14 15 partnership to implement the initiative according to the
14 16 contract approved by the commission. The commission is
14 17 directed to issue a request for proposals and to select from
14 18 the proposals an entity that will partner with the state to
14 19 provide a total solutions learning technology package that
14 20 includes, but is not limited to, hardware, software,
14 21 professional development, service, and support, and will be
14 22 managed by a single point of contact responsible for the
14 23 overall implementation.
14 24 The bill establishes a timeline for implementation of the
14 25 initiative as follows: (1) development and issuance of a
14 26 request for proposals not later than August 1, 2003; (2)
14 27 selection of proposal finalists not later than September 15,
14 28 2003; (3) selection, not later than October 1, 2003, of the
14 29 state's private partner; (4) receipt by the commission by
14 30 December 1, 2003, of a written statement submitted by school
14 31 districts and accredited nonpublic schools indicating their
14 32 willingness to participate in the initiative; (5) commencement
14 33 of the private-public partnership contract not later than
14 34 January 1, 2004; (6) commencement, not later than March 15,
14 35 2004, of an initial deployment of computers in approximately
15 1 15 schools to students in grade seven. The schools selected
15 2 for the initial phase must have demonstrated administrative
15 3 leadership, teacher willingness to participate, and community
15 4 support, and must represent geographically distinct rural,
15 5 urban, and suburban areas of the state; (7) provision of
15 6 professional development for teachers of grades seven and
15 7 eight to integrate wireless learning technology into classroom
15 8 teaching. Students receiving laptops and their parent or
15 9 guardian are also required to participate in an orientation.
15 10 The bill directs the commission to develop, implement, and
15 11 annually review a new century learning technology plan. The
15 12 plan must include or provide for, at a minimum, structure,
15 13 governance, and oversight of the initiative; consistency with
15 14 the guiding principles enumerated in the bill, including
15 15 equity, integration with the student achievement and teacher
15 16 quality program, sustainability and avoidance of obsolescence,
15 17 teacher preparation and professional development, and economic
15 18 development; and must have the following components: a goal
15 19 of ensuring one-to-one access to and ubiquitous use of fully
15 20 configured laptop computers in public and accredited nonpublic
15 21 secondary schools and the provision of training and learning
15 22 opportunities for students and their teachers; voluntary,
15 23 willing local participation, which includes permitting a
15 24 school that is already meeting the proposal's requirements to
15 25 receive an alternative equivalent value factor of the goods
15 26 and services, minus an amount determined by the commission to
15 27 reflect certain efficiencies and economies of scale factors
15 28 gained by the state contract; implementation of the plan in
15 29 phases; and coordination, utilization, and expansion of
15 30 existing technology infrastructure to ensure that the overall
15 31 learning technology infrastructure of the state functions and
15 32 expands in a coordinated fashion.
15 33 Finally, the plan must provide for wireless, fully
15 34 configured laptop computers and software for the students and
15 35 teachers identified by the bill; internal networks and
16 1 technical support; costs for replacement or repair of fully
16 2 configured laptop computers, servers, and other hardware; and
16 3 an annual evaluation component.
16 4 The bill directs the Iowa telecommunications and technology
16 5 commission to take actions to ensure that capacity is
16 6 developed and expanded to provide external network
16 7 connections, technical support, and network access.
16 8 The bill directs the department of management to assist the
16 9 commission in preparing an annual budget for implementation of
16 10 the initiative, directs the commission to annually recommend
16 11 to the governor the funding level necessary to implement the
16 12 plan, lists guidelines for determining the funding level
16 13 necessary, and requires that the governor's budget include an
16 14 appropriation sufficient to implement the plan. The
16 15 commission must also annually submit an evaluation report with
16 16 recommendations to the general assembly, the department of
16 17 management, and the legislative fiscal bureau. The bill also
16 18 requires the commission to report annually to the house and
16 19 senate standing education committees and the joint
16 20 subcommittee on education appropriations on the general status
16 21 of the finances and operations of the plan.
16 22 The bill establishes a new century learning technology fund
16 23 as a separate and distinct fund in the state treasury and
16 24 appropriates moneys in the fund to the commission, which must
16 25 manage and govern the fund in a manner that provides for the
16 26 financially sustainable support, use, and integration of
16 27 learning technology in Iowa schools through the public-private
16 28 partnership. The bill limits an applicant for fund moneys to
16 29 not more than $75 million.
16 30 The bill provides for the initial staggered terms of
16 31 commission members and requires the commission to implement
16 32 the initial new century learning technology initiative plan by
16 33 January 1, 2004.
16 34 The bill takes effect upon enactment.
16 35 LSB 3521HH 80
17 1 kh/cf/24.2
Text: HF00692 Text: HF00694 Text: HF00600 - HF00699 Text: HF Index Bills and Amendments: General Index Bill History: General Index
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