Summary Illinois HB 208 (Open States or Illinois Legislature) is an education appropriations bill for fiscal year (FY) 2014. Funding remained at similar levels to the previous year. This bill includes State and District Technology Support (formerly known as Technology for Success) and the School Technology Revolving Loan Program. Legislative Analysis HB208 appropriates $2.5 million…
Archives for February 2014
In Plain English: MT HB 210
Summary Montana HB 210 (Open States or Montana Legislature) appropriates $300,000 from the general fund to the Office of Public Instruction for the Montana Digital Academy, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013. This funding was necessary to cover expenses associated with greater than projected enrollments. Legislative Analysis HB 210 appropriates $300,000 from the…
6 Feb 2014
In Plain English: LA SR 167
Summary Louisiana SR 167 (Open States or Louisiana Legislature) is a Senate resolution requesting the Department of Education to establish a study group to conduct an expense analysis of replacing textbooks with e-books, implementing cloud technology, and related training. Legislative Analysis SR 167 is a senate resolution requesting the Department of Education to establish a…
6 Feb 2014
In Plain English: WA HB 1076
HB 1076 (Open States or Washington Legislature) expands participation in innovation academy cooperatives by allowing students whose home district does not offer the innovation academy to transfer into a district that offers those cooperative schools. The bill discriminates against online-only classes and stipulates that a student must enroll in classes other than just online. Legislative…
6 Feb 2014
Education Coalition Commends FCC for Much-Needed Reforms to E-Rate Program
WASHINGTON – Today, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler announced the agency will double its investment – with an additional $2 billion over the next two years – in support of broadband networks in our nation’s schools and libraries. The FCC will also streamline the application process, increase transparency, provide more assistance to schools…
5 Feb 2014
In Plain English: NC HB 23
Summary HB 23 (Open States or North Carolina Legislature) directs the State Board of Education to develop and implement digital competency standards as part of teacher preparation and licensure by the 2017-2018 school year. This bill recognizes that digital learning is an integral part of all 21st Century teaching and works to integrate it into…
5 Feb 2014
In Plain English: KS HB 2201
Summary Kansas HB 2201 (Open States or Kansas Legislature) establishes the telecommunications study committee, which will study the creation of a state broadband fund to support the availability of advanced telecommunications capability throughout the state. It also authorizes the Board of Regents to fix, charge, and collect user fees for services provided by the Kan-ed…
5 Feb 2014
In Plain English: ID SB 1199
Summary Idaho SB 1199 (Open States or Idaho Legislature) details the funding and structure for two programs that are funded for one year in Idaho’s 2013-14 school budget, SB 1200. One program provides grant funding to school districts for differential pay based on excellence in achievement. The second program provides grant funding for technology pilot…
4 Feb 2014