SF 237 (LSB 2576XS (2) 91)

SENATE FILE 237

BY  TAYLOR

A BILL FOR

An Act directing the department of education to convene a working group to study the impact of technology on the cognitive function and academic performance of students.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION —— WORKING GROUP —— IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON COGNITIVE LEARNING.
   1.  The department of education, in collaboration with the department of health and human services, shall convene and provide administrative support to a working group that shall examine research related to the impact of school-provided technology on the cognitive function and academic performance of students. For purposes of this section, “school-provided technology” includes laptop computers, online learning management systems, and classroom slide show presentations.
   2.  Any expenses incurred by a member of the working group shall be the responsibility of the individual member or the respective entity represented by the member.
   3.  The working group shall submit its findings and recommendations in a report to the general assembly by December 31, 2025. The report shall include recommendations on best practices related to the use of school-provided technology in educational contexts with a focus on ways to mitigate possible negative impacts on the social and behavioral development, attention span, mental concentration, and learning ability of students.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill directs the department of education, in collaboration with the department of health and human services, to convene a working group to examine research related to the impact of school-provided technology on the cognitive function and academic performance of students. The bill requires the working group to provide a report to the general assembly by December 31, 2025, detailing the working group’s findings and recommendations. The report must include recommendations on best practices related to the use of school-provided technology in educational contexts.