As Amended
SEC. 37-151-19. Development and implementation of master plan for education technology.
(1) The Council for Education Technology shall develop the master plan for education technology and submit the plan to the State Board of Education and the Legislature. Implementation of each stage of the master plan shall begin immediately upon approval of the State Board of Education. The plan shall outline the state's five-year activities related to purchasing, developing and using technology to:
(a) Improve learning and teaching and the ability to meet individual students' needs to increase student achievement;
(b) Improve curriculum delivery to help meet the needs for educational equity across the state;
(c) Improve delivery of professional development;
(d) Improve the efficiency and productivity of administrators; and
(e) Encourage development by the private sector and acquisition by districts of technologies and applications appropriate for education.
(2) The five-year plan shall cover all aspects of education technology, including but not limited to, its use in educational instruction and administration, video and computer systems, software and hardware, multiple delivery systems for satellite, microwave, cable, instructional television fixed service, fiber optic and computer connections products, video cameras and monitoring equipment for classrooms, school buildings and school buses, the preparation of school buildings for technological readiness, and the development of staff necessary to implement the plan.
(3) Periodically, to develop and make specific recommendations to the State Board of Education for the adoption of minimum specifications for the equipment to be utilized in the education technology plan by school districts. The State Board of Education shall adopt and promulgate said minimum guidelines for the utilization of said education technology equipment which shall be monitored through the accreditation process.
(4) The integrated technology-based communications system shall provide comprehensive, current, accurate and accessible information relating to management, finance, operations, instruction and pupil programs which are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education.
(5) To facilitate communication among teachers, parents, students and prospective employers of students, and to provide access to many vital technological services, the five-year plan may include the installation of telephone lines in each classroom.
(6) In designing and implementing the five-year plan, the council shall consider seeking the active participation of private organizations whose knowledge and assistance will be useful.
(7) The council shall update as necessary the plan developed under subsection (2) of this section and report to the Legislature at the completion of each implementation phase of the master plan.
(8) The council shall submit its recommendations for a statewide technology plan to the State Board of Education, which shall accept the recommendations, or return them to the council along with suggestions for changes to make the recommendations consistent with the policies of the State Board of Education.
SOURCES: Laws, 1994, ch. 581, Sec. 20, eff from and after July 1, 1994