Summary Maryland SB 283 (Open States or Maryland Legislature) establishes that the Maryland Advisory Council for Virtual Learning must consist of certain members, including two representatives of virtual learning providers, one school teacher engaged in digital instruction, and one parent of a student participating in digital learning opportunities. Among other things it also establishes the…
Archives for April 2014
In Plain English: MD HB 813
Summary Maryland HB 813 (Open States or Maryland Legislature) establishes a task force to study the impact on expanding credited and noncredited courses for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Legislative Analysis HB 813 tasks the Maryland Higher Education Committee (MHEC) with staffing a task force to study the impact of expanding credit and noncredit…
18 Apr 2014
In Plain English: MD HB 100
Summary Maryland HB 100 (Open States or Maryland Legislature) provides that $3,500, 000 of the General Fund Appropriation be made for the purpose of the Digital Learning Innovation Fund and will not to be expended until the Maryland Department of Education reports on the standards used to allocate the funds. The report must include a…
18 Apr 2014
In Plain English: ME LD 1509
Summary Maine LD 1509 (Open States or Maine Legislature) establishes the Digital Literacy Fund Z130. The fund will provide support for the development of a technical assistance program that designs instructional materials for promoting digital literacy, as well as teacher professional development and training in the use of online learning resources. The program will also…
18 Apr 2014
In Plain English: LA HB 116
Summary Louisiana HB 116 (Open States or Louisiana Legislature) creates the Task Force on Textbooks and Instructional Materials within the Department of Education. The task force will consider strategies for increasing the use of electronic texts and other materials and the costs of related hardware and internet access. Legislative Analysis HB 116 creates the Task…
17 Apr 2014
In Plain English: AL HB 166
Summary Alabama HB 166 (Open States or Alabama Legislature) is an education appropriations bill for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014. It allocates $20.2 million for an At-Risk Student program, including $750,000 for the Alabama Student Information Management System (ASIMS). The legislation also provides funding for District Technology Coordinator positions. Legislative Analysis AL HB…
17 Apr 2014
In Plain English: NM HB 2
Summary New Mexico HB 2 (Open States or New Mexico Legislature) is the General Appropriation Act of 2013. The bill appropriates $1,500,000 to establish a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) initiative. The initiative will provide stipends to incentivize qualified teachers to teach STEM courses. Legislative Analysis HB 2 funds the STEM Teacher Initiative, created…
17 Apr 2014
In Plain English: NJ SB 2057
Summary New Jersey SB 2057 (Open States or New Jersey Legislature) prohibits school districts from using any district-provided electronic device, such as a computer, tablet, or phone, to violate a student’s privacy. Legislative Analysis SB 2057, the “Anti-Big Brother Act”, requires that a school district or charter school that furnishes a student with a laptop…
17 Apr 2014