SB 767

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing law expresses the intent of the Legislature that the state should encourage the use of multiple technologies in distance learning education, and that the state should recognize the value of regional networks serving regional needs and the value of a statewide network. This bill would establish the Digital Education Equity Program (DEEP) , to be administered by the State Department of Education. The bill would require the DEEP to provide a regionalized network of technical assistance to schools and local educational agencies on the implementation of educational technology as set forth in policies of the State Board of Education. The bill would require the DEEP to be composed of 11 regional consortia of county offices of education that would work collaboratively with school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education to meet locally defined educational needs that can be effectively addressed with the use of technology, as specified. The bill would require, upon approval of a comprehensive State Digital Equity Plan prepared by the department on or before January 31, 2024, the department, in consultation with the executive director of the state board, to authorize grants of up to 3 years in duration, and eligible for renewal, to fund county offices of education in each of the 11 existing regional consortia of county offices of education to act as lead agencies to administer services, as needed, to local educational agencies under the bill. The bill would require, on or before December 1, 2024, local educational agencies to adopt a local education technology equity plan and a plan summary as a component of its local control and accountability plan. The bill would require, on or before July 1, 2024, the state board to adopt guidelines and criteria for inclusion in the local education technology equity plan and a plan summary template for the local control and accountability plan. By requiring local educational agencies to adopt a local education technology equity plan and a plan summary, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the department to establish an Office of Educational Technology and Digital Equity with sufficient staff to administer the provisions of the bill. The bill would specify the duties of the department in administering the DEEP, including the preparation of the comprehensive State Digital Equity Plan that reflects the overall needs and priorities related to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the access and use of technology to support teaching and learning in California schools. The bill would require the Superintendent to submit the plan to the state board on or before January 31, 2023, and would require the state board to adopt the plan on or before March 31, 2023. The bill would specify that the funding would be provided through the annual Budget Act to the Superintendent to provide centralized statewide educational technology services that address locally defined needs, as specified. The bill would also require the Superintendent to submit an annual written report to the state board and the Legislature on the services provided, persons served, and funds expended for purposes of the bill, and the extent to which the objectives of the State Digital Equity Plan prepared pursuant to the bill were attained in the immediately preceding year. The bill would make the above-described provisions operative only in fiscal years when sufficient funding for their implementation is appropriated to the department in the Budget Act or in another statute. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.