Summary

Georgia HB 283 (Open States or Georgia Legislature) contains revisions to Title 20 of the Georgia Code, the state’s basic law for education. It establishes a new grant program for technology capital.

Legislative Analysis

HB 283 authorizes the State Board of Education to establish a grant program to incentivize the adoption of digital learning using high-speed internet connections across Georgia schools. The grant program will include funding, subject to appropriations by the General Assembly, for grants to local boards of education for the purchase of technology capital such as desktop computers, network equipment, wireless equipment, tablet computers, laptop computers, and any other technology devices or equipment that advance student learning.

The state board is authorized to develop rules and regulations to implement the grant program, including requiring local school systems to commit to expanding and paying for high speed bandwidth for five years and a plan of use of the bandwidth in each school for instructional purposes. Each local school system is required to demonstrate that it has a technology plan that incorporates the use of new technology into student learning and includes a component for professional development for staff. Local matching funds are required from local school systems to demonstrate long-term sustainability. The grant program criteria may take into account the financial need and lack of existing bandwidth of a local school system and any previous grants received by the local board of education and provide a waiver of the matching funds requirement for local school systems that demonstrate financial need.

This legislation supports digital learning by assisting local school systems with upgrading and enhancing the technology available to students and teachers in schools. It also encourages long-range planning surrounding educational technology and the establishment of high-speed internet access in local school systems.

Legislative History

Detailed Vote History: Legiscan |  Open States

Approved by Governor Nathan Deal on 5/7/2013