Summary

Alaska SB 18 (Open States or Alaska Legislature) is the state’s capital budget for the fiscal year 2014. The budget includes numerous appropriations to schools for the purchase of educational technology equipment and software.

Legislative Analysis

AK SB 18 includes numerous appropriations to schools for the purchase of a wide variety of educational technology equipment and software. The amounts range from $5,000 to $160,000 with the average allocation being around $35,000. These appropriations are made as grants to municipalities under the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development.

In addition, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District received a $750,000 appropriation to extend an existing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program and align with the National Math and Science Initiative and a $500,000 appropriation to continue the implementation, training and purchase of equipment and furnishings to further support and solidify the district’s I-Tech online learning centers, also referred to as cyber centers.

The online learning centers require tech support, training, mobile labs, and license purchases to build a robust program. Additionally, the project will extend resource sharing opportunities to charter schools and correspondence schools. These centers offer course flexibility and choice to students, increase access to advanced level classes, provide credit recovery opportunities, and can help increase graduation rates.

Legislative History

Detailed Vote History: Legiscan | Open States

Approved by Governor Sean Parnell on 6/24/2013