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…
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
In Plain English: FL SB 1664
Summary SB 1664 (Open States or Florida Legislature) deals with teacher preparation and governance by the State Board of Education (SBOE), expanding the current state-approved teacher preparation program to include a competency-based certification program and links a teachers evaluations to the test scores of the students that they teach. Legislative Analysis In 2011, SB 376…
4 Feb 2014
In Plain English: MN HF 630
Summary Minnesota HF 630 (Open States or Minnesota Legislature) is the omnibus K-12 Education Policy and Finance Bill. It adds ways to demonstrate proficiency to fulfill graduation requirements, sets forth guidelines for adopting computer-adaptive testing in grades 3-7, and makes changes to the Online and Digital Learning Council. Legislative Analysis HF 630 contains numerous provisions…
3 Feb 2014
In Plain English: IN HB 1338
Summary Indiana HB 1338 (Open States or Indiana Legislature) primarily focuses on increasing charter school accountability, as well as access to high quality charter schools, but the legislation also supports virtual charter schools and ensures that students attending virtual schools are not disadvantaged. Legislative Analysis HB 1338 increases accountability for charter schools through the following…
3 Feb 2014
Trust in the Classroom: Protecting Student Data Privacy and Security
The expanding array of education opportunities enabled by digital technology and broadband networks necessitates a renewed commitment to establishing trust with teachers, parents, and students that sensitive information is securely protected. Teachers and students have access to new tools and resources ranging from online gradebooks to online courses, personalized blended learning platforms, and math apps…
24 Jan 2014
Google Hangout: Digital Learning & Giving Students Choice
National School Choice Week starts this Sunday, Jan. 26. Last year, during National School Choice Week: 3,600+ events were organized across all 50 states 3,000+ schools celebrated by holding special events 29 governors and dozens of mayors issued proclamations 2,000+ news stories highlighted the Week Millions of Americans participated in events and activities celebrating the Week…
23 Jan 2014