CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.





                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS for SB 1504

    Amendment No.    

                            CHAMBER ACTION
              Senate                               House
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10                                                                

11  Senator Cowin moved the following amendment:

12

13         Senate Amendment (with title amendment) 

14         On page 25, between lines 3 and 4,

15

16  insert:

17         Section 15.  Section 229.603, Florida Statutes, is

18  amended to read:

19         229.603  Instructional Technology Grant Program.--There

20  is created the Instructional Technology Grant Program.

21         (1)  SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY PLANS.--Each school must address

22  proposals for implementing instructional technology in either

23  the school improvement plan or a school technology plan which

24  has been approved by the district school board. The school

25  plan shall be submitted to the district school board by May 1,

26  2000. By May 1 each year thereafter an update of the plan or a

27  new plan must be submitted. The school improvement plan or the

28  technology plan must:

29         (a)  Address the achievement of technology capability

30  thresholds established by the Department of Education

31  according to this section; and

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS for SB 1504

    Amendment No.    





 1         (b)  Address safe access to the school media center

 2  outside of the regular school day.

 3         (2)  DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY PLANS.--Each district must

 4  submit a district technology plan to the Department of

 5  Education that is a strategic, long-range plan that has been

 6  developed using information from the technology plans of

 7  schools in the district and the technology capability

 8  thresholds established by the Department of Education. The

 9  plan shall be for a period of at least 3 years but no more

10  than 5 years and the initial district plan shall be submitted

11  to the department by November 1, 2000. A new plan shall be

12  submitted by November 1 in the final year of the prior plan

13  and an update must be submitted by November 1 of each of the

14  interim years for the duration of the plan. The plan shall

15  include the following essential elements:

16         (a)  A mission statement including, but not limited to,

17  how the district will incorporate technology into the

18  educational program to promote the effective use of technology

19  to implement the state academic standards to improve the

20  performance of all students.

21         (b)  A background component that includes, but is not

22  limited to:

23         1.  Relevant district, economic, geographic, and

24  demographic factors effecting the implementation of

25  technology.

26         2.  The planning process used to develop the plan,

27  which must include input from community, business, and

28  industry.

29         (c)  A needs assessment including, but not limited to,

30  the following goals:

31         1.  Identification of technology infrastructure,

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS for SB 1504

    Amendment No.    





 1  equipment, assistive technology, programming (educational

 2  materials, software, and media), replacement, training, and

 3  support needs.

 4         2.  Short-term goals to be achieved within 1 year and

 5  long-term goals to be achieved within 3 to 5 years. Both

 6  short-term and long-term goals shall be listed in a ranked

 7  priority order and shall be established considering the

 8  individual school technology plans and the technology

 9  capability thresholds established by the department.

10         (d)  A funding plan linked to the technology capability

11  thresholds.

12         (e)  A technology acquisition plan that addresses:

13         1.  Program development.

14         2.  Procurement.

15         3.  Achievement of the technology capability

16  thresholds.

17         (f)  An access plan that addresses:

18         1.  Shared use.

19         2.  Equitable access, including appropriate access to

20  external instructional services and programming providers such

21  as public libraries, charter schools, remote teaching sites,

22  home school connections, and online products and services.

23         3.  Security.

24         (g)  A user support plan.

25         (h)  A staff training plan which includes, but is not

26  limited to, provisions for increasing use of technology in the

27  classroom and media center according to the technology

28  capability thresholds.

29         (i)  A program evaluation which includes, but is not

30  limited to, a description of how the technology acquired is

31  being integrated into the school curriculum and affecting

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS for SB 1504

    Amendment No.    





 1  student achievement and progress toward meeting the

 2  educational goals of the state academic standards.

 3         (3)  TECHNOLOGY CAPABILITY THRESHOLDS.--The Department

 4  of Education shall, in consultation with high technology

 5  business and industry partners, develop technology capability

 6  thresholds that describe levels of reasonable standards of

 7  technological capability to be consecutively achieved in a

 8  school for the school to effectively utilize instructional

 9  technology. The technology capability thresholds shall be

10  designed to ensure that Florida's students have skills that

11  meet the needs of Florida businesses and industry and shall be

12  updated annually. The department shall develop the technology

13  capability thresholds by January 1, 2000. By January 1 each

14  year thereafter, the thresholds must be updated.

15         (4)(1)  GRANT FUNDING.--

16         (a)  Ninety-four Eighty percent of the funds

17  appropriated for public school technology this program shall

18  be prorated and distributed by the Commissioner of Education

19  to the state's school districts according to each district's

20  percentage of the statewide total K-12 full-time equivalent

21  membership on the basis of proposals submitted for

22  implementing instructional technology.  These funds may be

23  used to replicate existing instructional technology programs.

24  At least 10 percent of these funds shall be used for teacher

25  and other related training.

26         (b)  Six percent of the funds appropriated for this

27  program may be used by the commissioner to:

28         1.  Administer the program.

29         2.  Fund development and codevelopment activities.

30         3.  Establish a clearinghouse to identify, evaluate,

31  and disseminate information regarding developments in the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS for SB 1504

    Amendment No.    





 1  private and public sectors of instructional technology,

 2  including both software and hardware.

 3         4.  Disseminate information regarding successful

 4  state-of-the-art systems, including an annual catalog of

 5  exemplary projects and products.

 6         5.  Provide technical assistance to districts and

 7  schools in developing and implementing their technology plans

 8  and in using state central-purchasing resources to maximize

 9  cost advantages and, where necessary, provide districts with

10  technical assistance for needs assessment and grant

11  preparation. At least 10 percent of the funds appropriated for

12  this program shall be used to fund research and development

13  and codevelopment of new instructional technologies and their

14  implementation in the classroom.

15         (c)  Beginning with the 2000-2001 school year,

16  districts shall distribute to schools the the funds received

17  for public school technology on the basis of technology issues

18  addressed by the school in the school improvement plan

19  pursuant to s. 230.23(16) or in a school plan for implementing

20  instructional technology submitted to and approved by the

21  district school board. To receive funding, a proposed project

22  must be in a school that has achieved the appropriate

23  technology capability threshold for the proposed project and

24  the proposed project must be consistent with the district's

25  technology plan. Preference for funding shall be given to

26  schools which meet one or more of the following criteria:

27         1.  The school has matched the request with other funds

28  and private sector contributions to the maximum extent

29  possible, as determined by the school board.

30         2.  The project is to be implemented in a critically

31  low-performing school in order for that school to achieve the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS for SB 1504

    Amendment No.    





 1  appropriate technology capability threshold. Up to 10 percent

 2  of the funds appropriated for this program shall be used to

 3  fund new or innovative use of instructional technology or use

 4  of new instructional technology.

 5         (2)  GRANT ADMINISTRATION.--

 6         (a)  Project proposals must include the following:

 7         1.  An outline of the proposed project activities and

 8  project budget.

 9         2.  A description of how the proposed project will

10  integrate instructional technology with regular classroom

11  teaching.

12         3.  A description of how the project incorporates

13  state-of-the-art instructional technology which utilizes

14  advanced integrated learning systems technology and other

15  newly developed systems geared to hands-on learning and to

16  developing higher order thinking skills, including

17  problem-solving skills, understanding of abstract concepts,

18  and high-level critical thinking and applied learning skills.

19         4.  A description of how the project will affect and be

20  incorporated into the overall implementation of instructional

21  technology in the school district over the next 5 years.

22         5.  A description of the anticipated project results

23  and procedures for assessing the success of the project.

24         (b)  During fiscal year 1990-1991, preference for grant

25  approval shall be given to projects which are dedicated to

26  elementary school implementation and which utilize advanced

27  technology to incorporate self-paced learning.

28         (c)  Preference for grant approval shall be given to

29  districts which maximize their match of the grant request with

30  district funds and private sector contributions.

31         (d)  The Department of Education shall adopt forms for

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS for SB 1504

    Amendment No.    





 1  proposal applications.

 2         (e)  Proposals shall be recommended to the commissioner

 3  by a nine-member grant review panel appointed by the

 4  commissioner. The panel shall consist of two teachers, two

 5  district administrators, two business people, a school

 6  administrator, and two additional members selected at the

 7  commissioner's discretion.

 8         (f)  A portion of the grant funds utilized by the

 9  commissioner under paragraph (1)(c) may be utilized to:

10         1.  Administer the program.

11         2.  Fund development and codevelopment activities.

12         3.  Establish a clearinghouse to identify, evaluate,

13  and disseminate information regarding developments in the

14  private and public sectors of instructional technology,

15  including both software and hardware.

16         4.  Disseminate information regarding successful

17  state-of-the-art systems, including an annual catalog of

18  exemplary projects and products.

19         (g)  The department shall assist grant recipients in

20  using state central-purchasing resources to maximize cost

21  advantages and shall, where necessary, provide districts with

22  technical assistance for needs assessment and grant

23  preparation.

24         (5)(3)  REPORTS.--Beginning January 1, 2000 1991, the

25  commissioner shall make an annual report to the Legislature

26  within 60 days prior to the beginning of the regular

27  legislative session. The report shall include:

28         (a)  A summary of the status of the Instructional

29  Technology Grant Program, including a description of the

30  technology capability thresholds developed by the department

31  according to this section, and the status of school

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS for SB 1504

    Amendment No.    





 1  achievement of the thresholds.

 2         (b)  Recommendations to improve the efficiency and

 3  promote the utilization of instructional technology.

 4         Section 16.  Section 229.604, Florida Statutes, is

 5  created to read:

 6         229.604  Access to technology tools.--The Department of

 7  Education shall develop a plan to provide access for students

 8  to technology to support students' educational progress in the

 9  community, at work, at school, and at home. The plan shall

10  encourage districts and schools to furnish safe access to

11  school media centers outside of the regular school day, and to

12  consider the construction of entrances which may be accessed

13  from the outer perimeter of the school campus when planning

14  for new construction or remodeling projects.

15         Section 17.  Paragraph (e) is added to subsection (2)

16  of section 229.8041, Florida Statutes, to read:

17         229.8041  Educational computing.--

18         (2)  IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY.--The department is

19  authorized and encouraged to assist school districts,

20  community colleges, and state universities to make appropriate

21  use of computing.  Department actions for this purpose may

22  include, but need not be limited to:

23         (e)  Conducting evaluations of the status of school and

24  district use of technology to determine if they meet

25  appropriate technology capability thresholds.

26         Section 18.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of section

27  231.17, Florida Statutes, 1998 Supplement, is amended to read:

28         231.17  Official statements of eligibility and

29  certificates granted on application to those meeting

30  prescribed requirements.--

31         (5)  MINIMUM COMPETENCIES FOR PROFESSIONAL

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS for SB 1504

    Amendment No.    





 1  CERTIFICATE.--

 2         (a)  The state board must specify, by rule, the minimum

 3  essential competencies that educators must possess and

 4  demonstrate in order to qualify to teach students the

 5  standards of student performance adopted by the state board.

 6  The minimum competencies must include but are not limited to

 7  the ability to:

 8         1.  Write in a logical and understandable style with

 9  appropriate grammar and sentence structure.

10         2.  Read, comprehend, and interpret professional and

11  other written material.

12         3.  Comprehend and work with fundamental mathematical

13  concepts.

14         4.  Recognize signs of severe emotional distress in

15  students and apply techniques of crisis intervention with an

16  emphasis on suicide prevention and positive emotional

17  development.

18         5.  Recognize signs of alcohol and drug abuse in

19  students and apply counseling techniques with emphasis on

20  intervention and prevention of future abuse.

21         6.  Recognize the physical and behavioral indicators of

22  child abuse and neglect, know rights and responsibilities

23  regarding reporting, know how to care for a child's needs

24  after a report is made, and know recognition, intervention,

25  and prevention strategies pertaining to child abuse and

26  neglect which can be related to children in a classroom

27  setting in a nonthreatening, positive manner.

28         7.  Comprehend patterns of physical, social, and

29  academic development in students, including exceptional

30  students in the regular classroom, and counsel these students

31  concerning their needs in these areas.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS for SB 1504

    Amendment No.    





 1         8.  Recognize and be aware of the instructional needs

 2  of exceptional students.

 3         9.  Comprehend patterns of normal development in

 4  students and employ appropriate intervention strategies for

 5  disorders of development.

 6         10.  Identify and comprehend the codes and standards of

 7  professional ethics, performance, and practices adopted

 8  pursuant to s. 231.546(2)(b), the grounds for disciplinary

 9  action provided by s. 231.28, and the procedures for resolving

10  complaints filed pursuant to this chapter, including appeal

11  processes.

12         11.  Recognize and demonstrate awareness of the

13  educational needs of students who have limited proficiency in

14  English and employ appropriate teaching strategies.

15         12.  Use appropriate technology in teaching and

16  learning processes and in managing, evaluating, and improving

17  instruction.

18         13.  Use assessment strategies to assist the continuous

19  development of the learner.

20         14.  Use teaching and learning strategies that include

21  considering each student's culture, learning styles, special

22  needs, and socioeconomic background.

23         15.  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the

24  subject matter that is aligned with the subject knowledge and

25  skills specified in the student performance standards approved

26  by the state board.

27

28  (Redesignate subsequent sections.)

29

30

31

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS for SB 1504

    Amendment No.    





 1  ================ T I T L E   A M E N D M E N T ===============

 2  And the title is amended as follows:

 3         On page 2, line 6, after the semicolon

 4

 5  insert:

 6         amending s. 229.603, F.S.; providing

 7         requirements for school technology plans;

 8         requiring the Department of Education to

 9         develop technology capability thresholds;

10         requiring the adoption of district technology

11         plans; revising requirements relating to the

12         distribution and use of technology funding;

13         eliminating provisions relating to technology

14         grants and grant administration; revising the

15         content of an annual report; creating s.

16         229.604, F.S., relating to access to technology

17         tools; requiring the Department of Education to

18         develop a plan to increase student access to

19         technology; amending s. 229.8041, F.S.;

20         revising Department of Education actions

21         regarding educational computing to include

22         conducting evaluations regarding the

23         achievement of technology thresholds; amending

24         s. 231.17, F.S.; revising minimum competencies

25         for teacher certification relating to

26         technology;

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28

29

30

31

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