BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2706
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Date of Hearing: May 11, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Lorena Gonzalez, Chair
AB
2706 (Wilk) - As Amended March 18, 2016
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|Policy |Education |Vote:|7 - 0 |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill appropriates $2 million GF to the Superintendent of
Public Instruction (SPI) to provide funding to local education
agencies (LEAs) to implement a pilot program to train K-12
teachers to more effectively use technology and digital, as
specified, and to prepare students for college and career
objectives. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires the SPI to develop an application process for the
allocation of funds that gives priority to LEAs that serve a
large percentage of pupils eligible for free or reduced-price
meals.
AB 2706
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2)Requires pilot applicants to include a focus on supporting
teachers who work with underserved populations and enhance the
ability of participants to measure skills of teachers and
pupils using the international standards defined by the
International Society for Technology in Education, as
specified.
3)Requires the pupils participating in the pilot program to
receive digital literacy instruction and requires the program
to include training and professional development for teachers
to deliver this instruction.
FISCAL EFFECT:
1)One-time $2 million GF appropriation.
2)Administrative costs to the California Department of Education
of approximately $338,000 GF in the first year of the pilot
program.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. This bill is sponsored by Learning.com, a company
that provides digital literacy assistance to K-12 schools.
According to the author, technology is being used not only for
instruction and learning, but also for administering
standardized assessments. It is important that both teachers
and students be adept in the use of technology. This funding
is intended to assist schools with professional development in
the area of instructional technology and to train students in
the use of technology for both learning and assessment
AB 2706
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purposes.
Analysis Prepared by:Misty Feusahrens / APPR. / (916)
319-2081