Report Title:

Public Schools; Computer and Technology Utilization Task Force

 

Description:

Mandates the DOE to establish a task force on the utilization of computers and technology in public school classrooms and to create a master plan for computer and technology utilization.

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

668

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO A TASK FORCE AND MASTER PLAN ON COMPUTER AND TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that while students are in the elementary grade levels in public schools, they receive fairly good computer and technology training. At the intermediate grade levels, however, there is a massive decrease in computer and technology training and access to computers. At the high school level, access and training becomes virtually non-existent. There is no rationale for this lack of progression in the area of computers and technology as students progress through the public school system.

The legislature further finds that there are situations in which public school teachers lack sufficient training in the area of computers and technology and thus under-utilize them in the classroom. While there are some computer and technology resource teachers, their work is not dedicated to the area of computers and technology, and they have been available on a limited basis.

The legislature recognizes that pursuant to Act 309, Session Laws Hawaii 1998, and the submission of a report providing a broad implementation plan for computer and technology utilization in public schools throughout the State, the department of education has taken steps toward addressing utilization of computers and technology in public school classrooms. The legislature wants to ensure that increased and knowledgeable computer and technology utilization in public schools materializes.

The purpose of this Act is to mandate the department of education to establish a task force on the utilization of computers and technology in the classroom and to create a detailed, comprehensive master plan on the utilization of computers and technology in the classroom.

SECTION 2. The department of education shall establish a task force on the utilization of computers and technology in public school classrooms statewide. In order to build and establish a solid foundation for computer and technology education in Hawaii's public schools, the task force shall create a detailed, comprehensive, statewide master plan on the utilization of computers and technology in the classroom for each grade level in public schools. The master plan shall be submitted to the legislature no later than twenty days before the beginning of the 2002 regular session.

The task force shall be composed of members with one representative each selected by the Hawaii Association of School Technology Educators; board of education; department of education; department of business, economic development and tourism; and Hawaii State Student Council.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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