HB5244eng 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB5244 Engrossed LRB094 19147 MKM 54677 b

AN ACT concerning education.

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

Section 1. Short Title. This Act may be cited as the I-Connect Computer Technology Act.

Section 5. Purpose. 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 collaborations in learning. It is the duty of the State to provide new ways to equalize and advance educational opportunities for all students in public schools. In order to meet the goal of universal access to modern educational technology, the General Assembly finds it necessary to provide students in public schools with access to portable computers.

Section 10. Definitions. In this Act:

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

"ISBE" means the Illinois State Board of Education.

"Low income student" means a pupil aged 3 to 17, inclusive, who is (i) from a family receiving public aid, (ii) living in an institution for neglected or delinquent children, (iii) being supported in a foster home with public funds, or (iv) eligible to receive free or reduced-price lunches.

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

Section 15. I-Connect Computer Technology Program.

(a) The Board shall, in conjunction with the Illinois State Board of Education, establish and implement the I-Connect Computer Technology Program, which must meet all of the following standards:

(1) Beginning with the 2006-2007 school year and each school year thereafter, each student entering 7th grade who attends a public school meeting the criteria established in Sections 22 and 23 of this Act shall receive a portable computer. Additionally, each teacher teaching 7th grade students in a classroom at a public school shall receive a portable computer. Portable computers shall be delivered to each school district and shall become the property of the 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.

(2) Each school taking part in the I-Connect Computer Technology 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 Sections 21-2 and 21-14 of the School Code. Professional development provided in accordance with this Act must be sufficient to ensure optimal use of software and other learning technologies associated with using portable computers.

(3) A statewide or regional plan for external and internal network and technical support must be created to allow for contracts for technical support with private businesses, governmental entities, colleges or universities, or not-for-profit corporations.

(4) A set-aside funding mechanism must be established to cover the costs of replacement portable computers and parts. Nothing in this Section shall preclude a contract with a vendor that places the financial duty on the vendor to cover those costs in part or in whole.

(b) ISBE is authorized to enter into contracts and memorandums of understanding with private parties and other State agencies to carry out its functions under this Act. ISBE shall cooperate with each Regional Office of Education in establishing a competitive procurement process for the selection of vendors for the purchase of portable computers and related technical support and professional development for program recipients.

Section 20. I-Connect Computer Technology Board.

(a) There is created the I-Connect Computer Technology Board. The Board shall be comprised of 11 members as follows: the Lieutenant Governor as Chair; 5 members appointed by the Governor; one member appointed by the President of the Senate, one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and the State Superintendent of Education or his or her designee.

(b) 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) community outreach;

(5) the Illinois Century Network or other means of accessing the internet in schools; or

(6) working with a Regional Office of Education.

(c) All 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.

(d) Board members shall receive no compensation other than reimbursement for necessary travel expenses, which shall be reimbursed by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.

Section 22. Program participants.

(a) Subject to appropriation, participation for each school year shall be limited to (i) no more than 2 public schools in each Regional Office of Education region, (ii) no more than 30 public schools in non-Chicago Cook County, and (iii) no more than 30 public schools in Chicago. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to limit the number of schools that may apply for the Program.

(b) Priority shall be given to those schools where at least 40% of the students are low income students, as defined in Section 10 of this Act.

(c) All participating schools must comply with requests from ISBE and the Board for information relating to the annual report requirement of Section 25 of this Act.

(d) All participating schools shall designate at least one teacher or administrator who shall have the primary responsibility for ensuring that computers are being used and maintained.

Section 23. Application.

(a) After a majority of members of the Board are appointed, an application shall be developed by the Board and mailed to the principal of every public school in Illinois that educates 7th grade students.

(b) The application shall, at a minimum, 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 school's infrastructure to manage the computers.

(3) A requirement to provide the name of the school coordinator required under Section 22 of this Act.

(4) A requirement to provide the number of 7th graders anticipated for the attendance center for the school year in which the portable computers would be delivered.

Section 25. Annual Report. By no later than October 1st of each year, the Board, in conjunction with ISBE, shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the members of the General Assembly on the progress of the I-Connect Computer Technology Program. The report must include, at a minimum, all of the following:

(1) The number of students receiving portable computers.

(2) An accounting of all State, local, and federal funds used to implement the Program.

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

(4) If available, the identification of software included on computers provided under the Program.

(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) If available, the quality and quantity of increased student proficiency with technology.

(8) If available, teacher involvement and performance.

(9) Of those students taking the computer home, the number of households in which persons other than the student use the computer.

(10) Recommendations for Program improvement.

Section 30. I-Connect Computer Technology Fund.

(a) 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, for the purposes of this Act.

(b) Any funds appropriated by the General Assembly for the purposes of the I-Connect Computer Technology Program, as well as any gift, grant, or donation of any kind given for the I-Connect Computer Technology Program from any source, including from a foundation, private entity, governmental entity, or institution of higher education, may be used to implement the I-Connect Computer Technology Program.

Section 35. Local authority. 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 this Act, including determining: (i) standards for allowing students to take computers off school property; (ii) the courses or curriculums best suited for the computers; and (iii) the use of particular software or learning technologies.

Section 40. Rules. ISBE shall adopt rules to implement and administer this Act.

Section 90. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.663 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.663 new)

Sec. 5.663. The I-Connect Computer Technology Fund.

Section 98. The State Mandates Act is amended by adding Section 8.30 as follows:

(30 ILCS 805/8.30 new)

Sec. 8.30. Exempt mandate. Notwithstanding Sections 6 and 8 of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required for the implementation of any mandate created by this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly.

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