S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
5686
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 17, 2009
___________
Introduced by M. of A. CONTE, QUINN, RABBITT, REILICH, SALADINO --
Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ALFANO, BACALLES, BARCLAY, BARRA,
BURLING, BUTLER, CALHOUN, CROUCH, ERRIGO, FINCH, FITZPATRICK, JORDAN,
KOLB, OAKS, O'MARA, RAIA, SAYWARD, SCOZZAFAVA, TEDISCO, THIELE, TOWN-
SEND -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to create the "21st Century Education Act" by directing the
education department to develop a pilot program that maximizes the use
of technology in the classroom to meet the state's educational stand-
ards
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "21st
Century Education Act".
S 2. The education department is hereby authorized and directed to
create a pilot program to explore the feasibility and benefits of maxi-
mizing the use of computer technology in the classroom to assist
students in meeting the state's educational standards. 1. The program
shall consist of twenty schools nominated by school districts for
participation in the program and selected by the department. The program
shall consist of sixth grade-level students from twenty schools.
Participating students and teachers shall receive computer technology
and software, instruction on how to use the equipment and software to
maximize the use of such equipment to reach the state's educational
standards. Selected students shall continue to receive technology
through the eighth grade. Such technology shall consist of laptop
computers with wireless capability for each student and teacher, as well
as educational software appropriate to each grade level, instructional
services for use of the equipment and software; and ongoing technolog-
ical and curriculum development support. Parents of participating
students shall also be provided with at least one day of program orien-
tation and optional computer and software instruction each school year.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04294-01-9
A. 5686 2
2. Participating classes shall be selected from applications submitted
to the department by school districts. Applications for participation
shall be developed by the department and shall require applicants to
submit a proposal describing: (a) how the computers and software tech-
nology will be integrated into the classroom setting; (b) how the tech-
nology will assist participants in meeting or exceeding the state's
educational standards, the local school district's goals, and the
students' academic, vocational, and employment goals; and (c) how local
community participation from businesses and civic groups will enhance
the benefits of the state's contributions to the program. Schools
selected for participation shall receive the necessary grants and tech-
nology for up to a three year period; provided, however that if at
anytime the department determines that the school district is not
complying with the conditions of the pilot program it may withdraw the
state's support for its participation in the program.
S 3. The education department is authorized and directed to conduct a
study of the pilot program during its three year period. Such study
shall include, but not be limited to: (1) an assessment of the extent to
which technology assists the students in reaching the school district's
educational goals for participants and the state's educational require-
ments; (2) an assessment of the ways technology helps students at
different grade levels achieve personal educational or employment goals;
and (3) assess whether and how further investment into wireless technol-
ogy integration is appropriate for the state. Such study and recommenda-
tions shall be submitted to the legislature no later than one year
following the completion of the pilot program's three year tenure.
S 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law and shall apply to the academic school year
next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law; provided,
however, that effective immediately, the education department may
promulgate any rules or regulations necessary for the timely implementa-
tion of this act on such effective date.