Fund School Test Technology

Section 1. Legislative intent. The legislature hereby finds it an essential goal to ensure that all New York students receive a high-quality education. The legislature supports the goals of the board of regents in developing a rich educational system that provides multiple pathways to graduation, so that all students are college and career ready. The legislature also recognizes that ensuring our students are fully prepared to compete in the global marketplace requires a significant investment of time and resources. As such, it is vitally important to invest wisely in the development and administration of high-quality assessments that not only measure the progress of students attaining such standards, but also enhance the overall goal of student learning. However, the financial investments associated with the development and administration of high-quality assessments are not yet fully measured, and have the potential to be significant. Therefore, the legislature determines that the costs associated with the development, implementation, and administration of high-quality assessments shall not be borne by local taxpayers, and shall instead be fully funded with financial support from the state.

§ 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 756 to read as follows:

EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

[ ] is old law to be omitted.

LBD05013-05-8

A. 4111--B 2

§ 756. Computer-based assessment technology apportionment. 1. In addition to any other apportionments under this chapter, for aid payable beginning in the two thousand nineteen--two thousand twenty school year, a school district and board of cooperative educational services shall be eligible for an apportionment under the provisions of this section for all technology purchases necessary to administer computer-based state assessments.

2. For purposes of this subdivision, "technology purchases" shall mean new purchases of, and/or upgrades of existing, computers and any computer-related equipment, including hardware and any necessary software, needed to adequately administer required computer-based state assessments.

3. The technology purchases shall be of a sufficient quality to:

a. properly and securely administer each required computer-based assessment prescribed by the department; and

b. properly handle the number of students in a particular school district or board of cooperative educational services taking a computer-based state assessment at a given time, in the time allotted by the department.

4. No school district shall be required to purchase or otherwise acquire instructional computer hardware or technology equipment, the cost of which exceeds the amount of state aid provided pursuant to this section.

5. The apportionment provided for in this section shall be paid at such times as may be determined by the commissioner and approved by the director of the budget, during the school year in which the expenditures are reported to the department prior to such apportionment, but not earlier than the school year after the school year in which expenses are incurred.

§ 3. The commissioner of education shall develop a plan to minimize overall taxpayer investment in the development of, and administration of, high-quality computer-based state assessments. Such plan shall identify the costs of implementing computer-based assessments and shall focus on ways to leverage state resources in assessment development and administration to minimize the impact on local school districts and taxpayers. Such plan shall be presented to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, and the chairs of the senate and assembly education committees prior to making any commitment to implementing computer-based testing, but not later than December 1, 2018.

§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.