Public Act 0647 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB2277 Enrolled LRB096 11337 NHT 21785 b

Public Act 096-0647

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section 2-3.148 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.148 new)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 16, 2013)

Sec. 2-3.148. Textbook digital technology; pilot program.

(a) The General Assembly makes the following findings:

(1) The use of digital technologies in the kindergarten through grade 12 school environment is rapidly increasing in this State.

(2) There is a need for the State Board of Education to explore the expanded use of digital technologies in classrooms and the impact of technological innovation on both educational achievement and textbook weight.

(b) The State Board of Education shall implement a pilot program, subject to appropriation, to test digital technologies in 3 geographically diverse school districts on or before July 1, 2011. The pilot program shall examine the following issues:

(1) the development of alternative textbook formats, including various digital formats; and

(2) any possible adaptation of existing standard print textbooks that would be beneficial to the health and educational achievement of pupils in this State.

(c) The State Board of Education shall report the results of its findings on the pilot program and make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before January 15, 2013 with regard to the success of digital technologies used in the pilot program. The State Board of Education may submit other reports as it deems appropriate.

(d) The pilot program is abolished on January 16, 2013. This Section is repealed on January 16, 2013.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.