HB1663 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB095 07662 RAS 27814 b

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
HB1663

Introduced 2/22/2007, by Rep. Marlow H. Colvin

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 305/5 new
30 ILCS 105/5.675 new

Amends the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy Law. Requires the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy to establish the I-Connect Computer Technology Program to provide 6th grade students and select teachers of participating schools with personal portable computers with age-appropriate and subject-appropriate learning software, professional development, and repair and warranty services. Creates an I-Connect Computer Technology Board. Provides for a report to the Governor and the General Assembly. Amends the State Finance Act to create the I-Connect Computer Technology Fund. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

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

Section 5. The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy Law is amended by adding Section 5 as follows:

(105 ILCS 305/5 new)

Sec. 5. I-Connect Computer Technology Program.

(a) In this Section:

"Low-income students" means pupils aged 3 to 17, inclusive, from families receiving public aid, living in institutions for neglected or delinquent children, being supported in foster homes with public funds, or eligible to receive free or reduced-price lunches.

"Program" means the I-Connect Computer Technology Program.

"State Board" means the State Board of Education.

"Technology Board" means the I-Connect Computer Technology Board.

(b) The General Assembly finds that in the modern, knowledge-based economy of the 21st century, it is critical that all students have access to modern educational technology. The General Assembly further finds that universal access to portable computers has been found to increase student assessment test scores and encourage student and parent collaboration in learning. As provided in Section 1 of Article X of the Illinois Constitution, "A fundamental goal of the People of the State is the educational development of all persons to the limits of their capacities." In order to ensure universal access to modern educational technology, the General Assembly finds it necessary to provide students in public schools with access to portable computers.

(c) The Academy shall establish the I-Connect Computer Technology Program to provide students and teachers in selected classrooms of participating schools with personal portable computers with age-appropriate and subject-appropriate learning software, professional development, and repair and warranty services.

(d) Subject to appropriation, beginning with the 2007-2008 school year and each school year thereafter, each student entering the 6th grade who attends a public school participating in the Program shall receive a portable computer. Additionally, each participating school may designate a reasonable number of classroom teachers and other teachers to receive portable computers. Portable computers shall be delivered to each school district and shall be the property of that school district. School districts are responsible for distributing the computers to students and for establishing rules for student use of the computers. Each portable computer must include software and other learning technologies capable of being used in a classroom environment.

(e) Each school participating in the Program shall receive teacher technology training and professional development. Teachers that take part in technology training courses, seminars, or other related courses of instruction may credit that time towards their continuing professional development requirement, pursuant to Section 21-14 of the School Code. Professional development provided in accordance with this Section must be sufficient to ensure the optimal use of software and other learning technologies associated with using the portable computer.

(f) The Academy shall work with the selected schools to develop appropriate plans for external and internal network infrastructure improvements.

(g) The Academy may enter into contracts or memorandums of understanding with private parties and other State agencies to carry out its functions under this Section. When entering into any contracts or memorandums of understanding permitted by this Section, the Academy shall give preference to proposals that (i) maintain the lowest achievable cost, (ii) provide the best available product or service in its class, and (iii) are responsive to local technology and educational concerns.

(h) There is created the I-Connect Computer Technology Board. The Technology Board shall be comprised of 10 members as follows: the Lieutenant Governor; 5 members appointed by the Governor, including at least one Regional Superintendent of Schools; one member appointed by the chairman of the Board of Higher Education; one member appointed by the chairman of the State Board of Education; one member appointed by the president of Illinois Computing Educators; and one member appointed by the Illinois Principals Association.

(i) Each of the Governor's appointees must have a background in at least one of the following areas:

(1) Computer technical support.

(2) Education administration at the grade K through 12 level.

(3) Teaching 6th through 12th grade students.

(4) The Illinois Century Network or other means of accessing the Internet in schools.

Members shall serve 4-year terms, except that members appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the vacated term. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the initial appointment.

Technology Board members shall receive no compensation other than reimbursement for necessary travel expenses that shall be reimbursed through the Academy.

(j) When selecting schools to participate in the Program, the Academy and the Technology Board shall ensure that at least 30% of the funds for the portable computers and infrastructure be used for schools located in the City of Chicago, at least 30% for schools in suburban Cook, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, and DuPage Counties, and at least 30% for schools in the remainder of the State. The remainder of the funds for portable computers and infrastructure may be allocated at the discretion of the Academy and the Technology Board. The Academy shall separately allocate necessary funds to administer the Program, provide professional development, and provide all other services required under this Section. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to limit the number of schools that may apply to participate in the Program.

(k) The Technology Board shall select Program participants based on the following criteria:

(1) the ability of an applicant school to effectively fulfill the Program goals;

(2) the ability of an applicant school to integrate the portable computers into existing academic improvement plans;

(3) the ability of an applicant school to enhance the professional development of participating teachers; and

(4) the percentage of low-income students who attend the applicant school.

(l) All Program participants must comply with requests from the Academy and the Technology Board for information relating to the annual report requirements of the Program.

(m) All participating schools shall designate at least one teacher or administrator who shall be the liaison to the Academy and the Technology Board and have the primary responsibility for ensuring that computers are being used and maintained.

(n) No later than 30 days after the Technology Board reaches a majority of members appointed, an application shall be developed by the Technology Board and mailed to the principal of every public school in this State that educates 6th grade students. The application shall without limitation contain all of the following:

(1) A deadline for returning the application for entrance into the Program.

(2) An inquiry into the adequacy of the applicant school's infrastructure to manage the computers.

(3) The name of the applicant school's liaison to the Academy and the Technology Board as required under this Section.

(4) Any additional information deemed necessary by the Technology Board.

(o) By no later than July 1 of each year, the Technology Board, in conjunction with the Academy, must submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the progress of the Program. The report must include without limitation all of the following:

(1) The number of students who received portable computers through the Program.

(2) An accounting of all State, local, and federal funds used in the prior year and funds sought for the coming year.

(3) A projection for the cost of implementing the Program in the next school year.

(4) The identification of software included with the computers.

(5) The academic progress of the students using the computers.

(6) If available, a comparison of academic progress between those students using the computers in a specific curriculum and those who are not.

(7) The quality and quantity of increased student proficiency with technology.

(8) Teacher involvement and performance.

(9) Of those students taking the computers home, the number of households in which a person other than the student uses the computer.

(10) Recommendations for Program improvement.

(p) The I-Connect Computer Technology Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. All funds deposited into the I-Connect Computer Technology Fund shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the Academy for the purposes of this Section.

(q) The Academy may use any funds appropriated by the General Assembly for the purposes of the Program as well as any gift, grant, or donation given for the Program. The Academy and the Technology Board may solicit and accept a gift, grant, or donation of any kind from any source, including a foundation, private entity, governmental entity, or institution of higher education, for the implementation and administration of the Program.

(r) The State Board shall give preference to the Program when allocating any funds it receives from any federal program for educational technology. The State Board shall consult with the Technology Board on funding decisions for any such appropriation.

(s) The Academy shall use no less than 40% and no more than 50% of allocated funds for the Program, but no more than $5,000,000, to provide continuing support for schools participating in the technology immersion pilot project created under Section 2-3.135 of the School Code.

(t) It is the sole duty of school districts, school administrators, and school teachers to make decisions relating to the use of portable computers provided under the Program, including the determination of (i) the standards for allowing students to take computers off of school property, (ii) the courses or curricula best suited for the computers, and (iii) the use of particular software or learning technologies.

Section 90. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.675 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.675 new)

Sec. 5.675. The I-Connect Computer Technology Fund.

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