S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
S. 2555 A. 3492
2011-2012 Regular Sessions
S E N A T E - A S S E M B L Y
January 25, 2011
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IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. KRUGER -- read twice and ordered print-
ed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. GIBSON -- read once and referred
to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to grants for use of
computer technology by students in kindergarten and grade one and
making an appropriation therefor
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 319 to
read as follows:
S 319. GRANTS FOR PROMOTING USE OF TECHNOLOGY; KINDERGARTEN AND GRADE
ONE. 1. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL AWARD GRANTS FROM FUNDS AVAILABLE THERE-
FOR TO LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR THE USE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY TO
TEACH READING AND WRITING SKILLS TO STUDENTS IN KINDERGARTEN AND GRADE
ONE BASED ON PLANS TO USE TECHNOLOGY SUBMITTED TO HIM OR HER IN A FORMAT
PRESCRIBED BY HIS OR HER GUIDELINES.
2. SCHOOL DISTRICTS WISHING TO RECEIVE SUCH GRANTS MUST DEMONSTRATE
THAT FIFTY PERCENT OF THE TOTAL COST OF THEIR PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED BY
LOCAL REVENUES. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL GIVE PREFERENCE TO SCHOOLS IN
NEED OF ASSISTANCE AND TO SCHOOLS WHOSE PLANS INCLUDE MAKING THE TECH-
NOLOGY AVAILABLE FOR ALL KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADE CLASSES WITHIN
DESIGNATED BUILDINGS. SUCH PLANS SHALL NOT BE APPROVED FOR FUNDING
UNLESS THEY INCLUDE DOCUMENTATION WHICH SHOWS THAT THE PROPOSED SYSTEM
HAS BEEN EVALUATED AND DATA IS AVAILABLE WHICH SUPPORTS CLAIMS OF EFFEC-
TIVENESS WITH TARGET PUPILS. PRIORITY SHALL BE GIVEN TO THOSE SCHOOL
BUILDINGS WHICH (1) HAVE BEEN SELECTED BY THE COMMISSIONER AS BEING IN
NEED OF ASSISTANCE AND (2) INDICATE THAT ALL KINDERGARTEN AND GRADE ONE
CLASSES WITHIN THE BUILDING WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT. SUCH PLAN
TO USE THE TECHNOLOGY MUST INCLUDE A DETAILED EVALUATION DESIGN WHICH
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07236-01-1
S. 2555 2 A. 3492
WILL RESULT IN EVALUATIVE DATA BEING SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSIONER IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCHEDULE HE OR SHE PRESCRIBES AND INCLUDE THE
SPECIFIC INSERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM WHICH WILL ENSURE THAT TEACHERS AND
ADMINISTRATORS WITHIN THE BUILDING AND DISTRICT ARE ADEQUATELY TRAINED
TO USE THE TECHNOLOGY TO ITS FULLEST POTENTIAL.
S 2. The sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000), or so much thereof
as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to the education department
from any moneys in the state treasury in the general fund to the credit
of the local assistance account not otherwise appropriated for school
district grants for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this
act. Such sum shall be payable on the audit and warrant of the state
comptroller on vouchers certified or approved by the commissioner of
education, or his or her duly designated representative in the manner
provided by law. No expenditure shall be made from this appropriation
until a certificate of approval of availability shall have been issued
by the director of the budget and filed with the state comptroller and a
copy filed with the chairperson of the senate finance committee and the
chairperson of the assembly ways and means committee. Such certificate
may be amended from time to time by the director of the budget and a
copy of each such amendment shall be filed with the state comptroller,
the chairperson of the senate finance committee and the chairperson of
the assembly ways and means committee.
S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.