JLM C.S.S.B. 294 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS PUBLIC EDUCATION C.S.S.B. 294 By: Sibley (Maxey) 5-20-97 Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND Textbooks are approved for purchase with state funds through a screening process that was modified by Senate Bill 1 in 1995. The latest Texas Performance Review (TPR) report, Disturbing the Peace, notes that adoption reviews for most textbooks take place every 6-10 years, and many textbooks in current use contain outdated, inaccurate information. According to current standard contracts between Texas Education Agency (TEA) and textbook publishers, the State Board of Education (SBOE) can seek no more than one revision every two years between adoptions, and they must give a publisher one-year advance notice. TEA pays for these updates. Ideally, updates for textbooks would be obtained in a timely manner at a low cost. The Internet is a relatively accessible and highly efficient tool for gathering timely information. This technology could readily support timely updates to current textbooks. Currently, the education code includes a definition of "electronic textbooks" as "any mean(s) of conveying information to the student or otherwise contributing to the learning process through electronic means." The definition of publisher includes "an on-line service or ad developer or distributor of an electronic textbook." These features of current law were intended to facilitate the use of electronic media and its capacity for information dissemination. The committee substitute for this bill incorporates the needs of students who are blind or visually disabled in the study directed by the commissioner. This legislation has great potential to impact the quality of information received by Texas school children by insuring not only that textbooks are up-to-date, but also that teachers are motivated to take advantage of the vast resources of information available on the Internet. PURPOSE To develop an advisory committee to study the costs and benefits of using computer networks, specifically addressing the update of textbooks via the Internet. A subcommittee would be appointed to investigate and report on the use of technology to provide textbooks to students who are blind, visually impaired, or have other disabilities. The advisory committee would coordinate with the SBOE's long-range technology plan and provide its recommendations to the 76th Legislature not later than February 1, 1999. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS Section 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 32 of the Education Code is amended by adding: Section 32.037 -Computer Network Study Project (a) Directs the agency to develop a study project to determine the costs and benefits of using computer networks, including the Internet, in public schools. (b) Describes purpose of committee and who will serve: (1) Requires formation of a committee to assist agency in the study that must include the possibility of delivering textbook updates via computer network. (2) Directs commissioner to appoint an advisory committee composed of agency personnel, textbook publishers, educators, students, and technology experts. (3) Directs presiding officers of the legislature to each appoint two members to the committee. (c) Prescribes that the study must: (1) Use a group of school districts selected to provide a sample that is geographic, demographic, and economically balanced. (2) Be designed to yield results that are applicable statewide (3) Be coordinated with the SBOEs long-range technology plan, including standards for computer literacy under Section 32.001(a)(3). (d) Directs the commissioner to appoint a subcommittee to investigate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of developing electronic textbooks for use by students with who are blind or have disabilities. (e) Directs the agency to report the results of the study project to the 76th Legislature not later than February 1, 1999. (f) This section expires September 1, 1999. Section 2. Emergency clause. Effect date: upon passage. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE SECTION 1. Clarifies language regarding the purpose of the committee in Sec. 32.037(a). SECTION 2. The committee substitute incorporates language that addresses the needs of students who are blind or visually impaired in Sec. 32.037(d).