Summary

Idaho SB 1200 (Open States or Idaho Legislature) is the fiscal year 2014 appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program. It contains several specific expenditures for educational technology resources.

Legislative Analysis

SB 1200 is the FY 2014 appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program. At almost $1.6 billion, it represents a 2.2% increase from the General Fund and a 2.0% increase in overall funds.

$10.4 million is designated for classroom technology and wireless infrastructure, with the following spending guidelines:

• $8 million for classroom technology that assists teachers and students in effective and efficient instruction or learning
• $2.25 million for the installation, repair, replacement and support of a wireless technology infrastructure, in each public school serving high school grades, of sufficient capacity to support utilization of mobile computing devices by all students in such grades
• $150,000 may be expended for the development and maintenance of an Internet-based portal of available online, nonsectarian K-12 or dual credit courses available from any of the following: (a) Idaho Digital Learning Academy; (b) Idaho public school districts; (c) Idaho public charter schools; (d) Idaho public colleges and universities; (e) Idaho private colleges and universities accredited by the same organization that accredits Idaho’s public colleges and universities; and (f) Any provider of online courses; provided however, that the courses available on the portal have been verified and approved by the State Department of Education to meet state content standards

$4,500,000 is appropriated for the maintenance, operation, and licensing of an instructional management system that includes high quality digital learning resources and software linked to state and local curricula, model lesson plans, content and formative and summative assessments tied to rigorous college and career-ready standards, and safe and secure online knowledge sharing and collaboration systems.

$3,000,000 is appropriated for technology pilot projects. These funds are available to schools in multiple districts across Idaho for periods of up to two years for projects designed to improve student academic growth as well as financial efficiencies through a full integration technology model. The intent is to focus on technology implementation at a single school building that will be scalable to other schools and sustainable statewide after the technology pilot period.

$150,000 is appropriated for professional development and training that promotes:

• the effective use of technology by students, staff, and parents;
• the integration of technology into public school curricula and instructional methods;
• the development of plans at the school, district, and statewide level for the improved use and integration of technology in learning; and
• the development and effective utilization of student data.

$2,500,000 is appropriated for public school information technology staff costs.

Legislative History

Detailed Vote History: Legiscan |  Open States

Approved by Governor Butch Otter on 4/9/2013