Provides for grants for use of computer technology in kindergarten and grade one; appropriation

Title of bill

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

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of this bill is to make available $5,000,000 for grants to local school districts for use of computer technology to teach reading and writing skills to students in kindergarten and first grade students.

Summary of specific provisions

This bill amends the education law to provide grants to local school districts for use of computer technology by kindergarten and first grade students. Grants will be awarded to school districts based upon plans prescribed by the Commissioner of Education. School districts wishing to participate in this program must demonstrate that local revenues will support 50% of the total cost of the program. The Commissioner will give preference to schools in need of assistance and to schools whose plans include making the technology available for all kindergarten and first grade classes within designated buildings.

State funds will be awarded to school districts, which meet the following criteria:

A. Plans will 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 effectiveness with target pupils.

B. Priority will be given to those schools which 1) have been selected by the Commissioner as being in need of assistance and 2) indicate that all kindergarten and first grade classes within the building will be included in the project.

C. The plan to use technology must include a detailed evaluation design that will result in valuable data being submitted to the Commissioner in accordance with the schedule the Commissioner prescribes.

D. The plan submitted to the Commissioner to use the technology funded partially under the program must also include the specific in service training program which will insure that teachers and administrators within the building and district are adequately trained to use the technology to its fullest potential.

Justification

The Education Testing Service (ETS) has evaluated the program (Writing to Read) that this bill would fund. The results show that, on the average, Writing to Read students progressed faster that the national norm samples on standardized reading tests. Teachers and parents of Writing to Read students also reported that the children showed more ability in writing and reading than students not involved in Writing to Read.

Prior legislative history

A.451/S.212 of 2007/08

Fiscal implications

$5,000,000.00 (five million dollars)

Effective date

Immediately.