78R15497 E
By: Shapleigh, et al. S.B. No. 396
Substitute the following for S.B. No. 396:
By: Grusendorf C.S.S.B. No. 396
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a technology immersion pilot project in public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 32, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter D to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER D. TECHNOLOGY IMMERSION PILOT PROJECT
Sec. 32.151. ESTABLISHMENT OF PILOT PROJECT. The agency
may by rule establish the technology immersion pilot project to
provide a wireless mobile computing device to each student in a
participating school and implement the use of software, on-line
courses, and other appropriate learning technologies that have been
shown to improve academic achievement and the progress measures
listed in Section 32.155(e).
Sec. 32.152. PILOT PROJECT ADMINISTRATION. If the agency
establishes the pilot project under Section 32.151, the agency
shall establish a procedure and develop criteria for the
administration of the pilot project. In administering the pilot
project, the agency shall:
(1) select participating school districts or schools;
(2) define the conditions for the distribution and use
of computer equipment and other technologies;
(3) purchase and distribute computer equipment and
other technologies;
(4) enter into contracts as necessary to implement the
pilot project;
(5) monitor local pilot project implementation; and
(6) conduct a final evaluation of the pilot project.
Sec. 32.153. PILOT PROJECT FUNDING. (a) To implement the
pilot project, the agency may use any gift, grant, or donation given
for the pilot project. The agency may solicit and accept a gift,
grant, or donation of any kind from any source, including from a
foundation, private entity, governmental entity, and institution
of higher education, for the implementation of the pilot project.
The agency may not use money from the general revenue fund for
purposes of the pilot project.
(b) Funds for the pilot project may not be used for the
construction of a building or other facility.
(c) The agency shall use pilot project funds for:
(1) the purchase of wireless mobile computing devices
so that each student in a participating classroom has a wireless
mobile computing device for use at school and at home;
(2) the purchase of other equipment, including
additional computer hardware and software;
(3) the hiring of technical support staff for school
districts or schools participating in the pilot project; and
(4) the purchase of technology-based learning
materials and resources.
(d) The agency may not allocate more than $1 million for a
school participating in the pilot project.
(e) The pilot project may be implemented only if sufficient
funds are available under this section for that purpose.
Sec. 32.154. DISTRICT OR SCHOOL SELECTION. (a) A school
district may apply to the agency for the establishment of a
technology immersion pilot project for the entire district or for a
particular school or group of schools in the district.
(b) The agency shall select the participating districts and
schools for the pilot project based on each district's or school's
need for the pilot project. In selecting participants, the agency
shall consider the following criteria:
(1) whether the district or school has limited access
to educational resources that could be improved through the use of
wireless mobile computing devices and other technologies;
(2) whether the district or school has the following
problems and whether those problems can be mitigated through the
use of wireless mobile computing devices and other technologies:
(A) documented teacher shortages in critical
areas;
(B) limited access to advanced placement
courses;
(C) low rates of satisfactory performance on
assessment instruments under Subchapter B, Chapter 39; and
(D) high dropout rates;
(3) the district's or school's readiness to
incorporate technology into its classrooms;
(4) the possibility of obtaining a trained technology
support staff and high-speed Internet services for the district or
school; and
(5) the methods the district or school will use to
measure the progress of the pilot project in the district or school
in accordance with Section 32.155(e).
(c) The agency shall if possible select at least five
schools to participate in the pilot project. At least one pilot
project should include students in grades 6-12. The agency may
select at least one entire school district and at least one entire
school in a second district to participate in the pilot project.
Sec. 32.155. COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL PIPELINE PROGRESS TEAM.
(a) Each participating school district or school shall establish a
community educational pipeline progress team to assist in
developing and implementing the technology immersion pilot
project.
(b) The board of trustees of a participating school
district, or of a district in which a participating school is
located, shall appoint individuals to the team. The team may be
composed of:
(1) educators;
(2) district-level administrators;
(3) community leaders;
(4) parents of students who attend a participating
school; and
(5) any other individual the board finds appropriate.
(c) The team shall develop an academic improvement plan that
details how the pilot project should be implemented in the
participating district or school. In developing the academic
improvement plan, the team shall consider:
(1) the educational problems in the district or school
that could be mitigated through the implementation of the pilot
project; and
(2) the technological and nontechnological resources
that are necessary to ensure the successful implementation of the
pilot project.
(d) The team shall recommend to the board how the pilot
project funds should be used to implement the academic improvement
plan developed under Subsection (c). The team may recommend
annually any necessary changes in the academic improvement plan to
the board. The agency must approve the academic improvement plan,
or any changes in the academic improvement plan, before disbursing
pilot project funds to the board.
(e) The board of trustees of each district participating in
the pilot project shall send an annual progress report to the agency
not later than August 1 of each year that the district is
participating in the pilot project. The report must state in detail
the type of plan being used in the district or school and the effect
of the pilot project on the district or school, including:
(1) the academic progress of students who are
participating in a pilot project, as measured by performance on
assessment instruments;
(2) if applicable, a comparison of student progress in
a school or classroom that is participating in the pilot project as
compared with student progress in the schools or classrooms in the
district that are not participating in the pilot project;
(3) any elements of the pilot project that contribute
to improved student performance on assessment instruments
administered under Section 39.023 or any other assessment
instrument required by the agency;
(4) any cost savings and improved efficiency relating
to school personnel and the maintenance of facilities;
(5) any effect on student dropout and attendance
rates;
(6) any effect on student enrollment in higher
education;
(7) any effect on teacher performance and retention;
(8) any improvement in communications among students,
teachers, parents, and administrators;
(9) any improvement in parent involvement in the
education of the parent's child;
(10) any effect on community involvement and support
for the district or school; and
(11) any increased student proficiency in
technologies that will help prepare the student for becoming a
member of the workforce.
Sec. 32.156. COMPUTER RETENTION. Each student
participating in the pilot project may retain the wireless mobile
computing device provided under the pilot project as long as the
student is enrolled in a school in a participating school district.
The student may retain the wireless mobile computing device after
the expiration of the pilot project.
Sec. 32.157. PILOT PROJECT EVALUATION; EXPIRATION. (a)
After the expiration of the three-year pilot project, the agency
may review the pilot project based on the annual reports the agency
receives from the board of trustees of participating school
districts. The agency may include the review of the pilot project
in the comprehensive annual report required under Section 39.182
that covers the 2006-2007 school year.
(b) This subchapter expires August 31, 2007.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.