Report Title:

School Technology Tracking System

 

Description:

Establishes a database to track location, needs, and specifications of computers, technical equipment, and software within each public school. (SD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

381

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO Education.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature recognizes the need for students to possess the computer literacy skills necessary to enable them to meet the demands of a rigorous and challenging academic program and to successfully prepare them for post-secondary educational endeavors as well as employment opportunities following high school graduation. To this end, the legislature envisions an educational program in which students, teachers, and administrators have access to, and training in the use of, advanced technology tools to assist in information gathering and processing, problem solving, creating, and evaluating across a broad spectrum of experiences.

The legislature finds that many businesses, computer and software manufacturers, and other organizations have a surplus of new equipment and software, or slightly outdated but still functional computers, to donate to schools. However, the schools are often unable to accept these computers because they do not have the ability to install or service the computers. While there are volunteer groups, service clubs, military organizations, technical and professional organizations, and other organizations with technical skills willing to help the schools, the schools lack:

(1) A central database of existing computers and other technical equipment located at each school; and

(2) A list of computers, technical equipment, or software needed by each school.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a database to track location, needs, and specifications of computers, technical equipment, and software within each school.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of education shall design, develop, and maintain a single web based consolidated database of existing computers, other technical equipment, and software located at each school. The database shall be accessible to administrative, district, complex, school, and classroom level personnel, as well as to selected public and private sector entities. The database shall be known as the school technology tracking system.

(b) The database shall include, but not be limited to, the following data:

(1) School wide technology overview;

(2) Classroom-level data collection;

(3) Hardware system components;

(4) Peripheral components;

(5) Application software;

(6) Technology components; and

(7) Telecommunication components.

(c) The database shall be fully accessible from any current version of the Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Communicator browser. The interface shall be visual, with an end-user being able to click on the applicable:

(1) School district;

(2) School complex;

(3) School;

(4) Building; and

(5) Classroom.

At each of these levels, data shall be available reflecting the above listed fields for all installed components.

(d) The database interface shall identify specific connections and circuitry including, but not limited to:

(1) Cable type, such as RJ-45 category 5 fiber optic;

(2) Circuit identification;

(3) Carrier, if applicable;

(4) Monthly charges, if applicable; and

(5) Hubs, routers, and switches to which the circuit is connected.

(e) The database shall be:

(1) Hosted by the department of education on a server with sufficient power and bandwidth connection to enable the real time updating of school data;

(2) Maintained by the librarians at each school; and

(3) Backed up daily by the department of education facilities branch and the Hawaii state public library system.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $250,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, to establish a single web-based consolidated database to track location, needs, and specifications of computers, technical equipment, and software within each school.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval and shall be repealed on June 30, 2003.