BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2706
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Date of Hearing: April 20, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Patrick O'Donnell, Chair
AB 2706
(Wilk) - As Amended March 18, 2016
SUBJECT: Teachers: education technology and digital resources
training pilot program
SUMMARY: Establishes a pilot program to train teachers to more
effectively use technology and digital resources within their
instructional day. Specifically, this bill:
1)Appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to the
Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to be allocated to
local educational agencies (LEAs) that apply for the purpose
of implementing a pilot program to train teachers who teach
kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, to more
effectively use technology and digital resources within their
instructional day, while also measuring and teaching the
critical 21st century skills pupils need to succeed on
California's next-generation online assessments, as well as to
prepare pupils for college and career objectives.
2)Requires the SPI to develop an application process for the
allocation of pilot program funds that gives priority to
applicant LEAs that serve a large percentage of pupils
eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
AB 2706
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3)Provides that any LEA may apply for funding from the API to
implement the pilot program.
4)Requires the pilot program to include both of the following:
a) A focus on teachers who work with underserved
populations; and
b) An emphasis on enhancing the ability of participants to
measure 21st century skills of teachers and pupils using
the international standards defined by the International
Society for Technology in Education.
5)Specifies that the skills to be measured and enhanced for
teachers pursuant to this pilot program shall include, but not
necessarily be limited to, all of the following:
a) Facilitation and inspiration of pupil learning and
creativity;
b) Design and development of digital age learning
experiences and assessments;
c) Modeling of digital age work and learning;
d) Promotion and modeling of digital citizenship and
responsibility; and
e) Engagement in professional growth and leadership.
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6)Requires the skills to be measured and enhanced for pupils
shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, all of the
following:
a) Creativity and innovation;
b) Communication and collaboration;
c) Research and information fluency;
d) Critical thinking and problem solving;
e) Digital citizenship; and
f) Technology operations and concepts.
g) Requires the pilot program to include training and
professional development for teachers to assist them to
effectively personalize digital literacy instruction for
their pupils.
h) Requires pupils participating in the pilot program to
receive digital literacy instruction that will enhance the
skills they need to succeed in elementary or secondary
school, postsecondary education, and careers.
FISCAL EFFECT: This bill appropriates $2 million for its
purposes. Potential additional costs unknown.
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COMMENTS: The use of technology, including devices such as
laptops, smart tablets, and smart boards, is becoming ubiquitous
in our classrooms. Technology is being used not only for
instruction and learning, but also for administering
standardized assessments. It is important, therefore that both
teachers and students be adept in the use of technology.
LEAs may use funds received through the Local Control Funding
Formula or one-time professional development funds appropriated
in the 2105-16 Budget Act to provide professional develop in the
area of instructional technology. However, the author's office
argues that this is not sufficient to ensure the needed amount
of professional development is provided.
In addition, the author argues that it is important to train
students in the use of technology for both learning and
assessment purposes. For example, the lack of basic keyboarding
skills can hamper a student's performance on the
computer-assisted assessments.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
Learning.com
Opposition
AB 2706
Page 5
None received
Analysis Prepared by:Rick Pratt / ED. / (916) 319-2087