BILL ANALYSIS
AB 678
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Date of Hearing: May 20, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Kevin De Leon, Chair
AB 678 (Hall) - As Amended: May 6, 2009
Policy Committee: EducationVote:8-2
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill requires the existing guidelines developed by the
Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) for inclusion in a
school district's education technology plan to include
additional information, as specified. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires the existing guidelines to include the following
information: (a) the implication of illegal peer-to-peer
network file sharing; (b) the negative impact to pupils from
cyberbullying; (c) the active use of content control software;
and (d) responsible use by pupils of mobile communication
technology.
2)Encourages school districts to partner with information
technology companies and non-profit organizations to develop
tools to supplement the existing Internet safety curriculum,
as specified.
3)Authorizes school districts with current education technology
plans to comply with these additional guidelines on July 1,
2011 (i.e., the next revision of their plans).
FISCAL EFFECT
1)Minor, absorbable GF administrative costs to the State
Department of Education to update their guidelines and
criteria, as specified.
2)Minor, absorbable GF/98 costs to school districts to update
their education technology plans for information specified in
this measure. This measure ensures that districts include
this information in their technology plan during the normal
AB 678
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course of updating the plan.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose . AB 2706 (Berg), Chapter 681, Statutes of 2004
required school districts, as a condition of receiving an
education technology grant, to have a three to five-year
education technology plan.
Likewise, AB 307 (Chavez), Chapter 313, Statutes of 2006,
required the SPI to develop guidelines and criteria for
inclusion in district's education technology plans. These
guidelines and criteria include information related to
appropriate use of technology in the classroom, significance
of copyright, and Internet safety.
According to the author, "[This bill] would update the state's
education code to reflect new technology available to
children, the responsible use of mobile communication devices,
discourage cyberbullying and encourage local educational
agencies to partner with information technology companies and
non-profit organizations to provide additional tools on how to
help children stay safe while using the Internet at school,
home or on a mobile communication device."
2)Cyberbullying . According to the National Crime Prevention
Counsel, cyberbullying "happens when teens use the Internet,
cell phones, or other devices to send or post text or images
intended to hurt or embarrass another person." Likewise,
Fight Crime Invest in Kids released a poll in 2006, which
stated law enforcement official estimated more than 13 million
children aged 6 to 17 were victims of cyberbullying. More than
2 million of those victims told no one about the attacks.
Also, one-third of all teens (12-17) and one-sixth of children
ages 6-11 have had mean, threatening or embarrassing things
said about them online.
Analysis Prepared by : Kimberly Rodriguez / APPR. / (916)
319-2081