Louisiana 2014 2014 Regular Session

Louisiana Senate Bill SR195 Introduced / Bill

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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 195
BY SENATOR APPEL 
TECHNOLOGY. Requests BESE and DOE to identify the technology requirements
necessary for effective implementation of Act No. 3 of the 2012 Regular Session.
A RESOLUTION1
To urge and request the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and2
the state Department of Education to identify the technology requirements necessary3
for the effective and efficient implementation of Act No. 3 of the 2012 Regular4
Session in early learning centers, including the cost per classroom, and the costs to5
purchase necessary software and equipment, obtain any Internet access, secure6
ongoing maintenance, and to train teachers on the use of the technology.7
WHEREAS, Act No. 3 of the 2012 Regular Session declared that in order to8
significantly improve outcomes at all levels of the state's educational system, it is imperative9
that standards for, and expectations of, our early childhood programs be raised to levels that10
will promote kindergarten readiness and sustain lifelong learning and achievement; and11
WHEREAS, Act No. 3, which includes publicly funded pre-kindergarten classes in12
public elementary schools and early learning centers in the community, directed the13
Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to create a comprehensive14
and integrated network through which to manage and oversee all programs funded through15
state or federal resources that provide early childhood care or educational services; and16
WHEREAS, the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the17
state Department of Education, and the Department of Children and Family Services have18 SR NO. 195
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worked collaboratively to implement the provisions of Act No. 3, including the integration1
of standards and expectations across publicly funded early childhood care and education2
programs in schools and the community and the support of regional pilot programs; and3
WHEREAS, the implementation of Act No. 3 has appropriately focused on4
increasing the quality of care and education across settings, preparing children to be5
kindergarten-ready, and honoring family choices; and6
WHEREAS, it is imperative that all publicly funded early childhood care and7
education programs offer a consistent level of quality care and education to families, thereby8
providing a safe, nurturing environment for children and preparing all students to9
successfully enter kindergarten; and10
WHEREAS, through the regional pilot programs, it has become apparent that the use11
of technology by teachers is an integral part of the provision of high quality early care and12
education and is critical to the success of Act No. 3 implementation; and 13
WHEREAS, Senate Bill No. 622 of the 2014 Regular Session provides for the14
development and implementation of a statewide educational technology plan to ensure that15
every public elementary and secondary school has the infrastructure and capacity necessary16
to provide a high quality, digital instructional environment; and17
WHEREAS, pre-kindergarten classrooms in schools will be included in the18
technology plan as provided in Senate Bill No. 622, but early learning centers in the19
community will not; and20
WHEREAS, House Concurrent Resolution No. 61 of the 2014 Regular Session21
requests the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a22
statewide model for the equitable distribution of public funds for quality early childhood23
care and education for Louisiana children, ages birth to five, whose families request such24
services.25
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana26
does hereby urge and request the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary27
Education and the state Department of Education to identify the technology requirements28
necessary for the effective and efficient implementation of Act No. 3 of the 2012 Regular29
Session in early learning centers, including cost per classroom, and the cost to purchase30 SR NO. 195
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necessary software and equipment, obtain any Internet access, secure ongoing maintenance,1
and to train teachers on the use of the technology.2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the technology and training costs for early3
learning centers and the cost per early learning center classroom be included in the statewide4
model for funding of, and the equitable distribution of public funds for, quality early5
childhood care and education for Louisiana children. 6
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the7
president of the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the state8
superintendent of education.9
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
DIGEST
Appel	SR No. 195
Requests BESE and the state Department of Education to identify the technology
requirements necessary for the effective and efficient implementation of Act 3 of the 2012
RS in early learning centers, including the cost per classroom, and the costs to purchase
necessary software and equipment, obtain any Internet access, secure ongoing maintenance,
and to train teachers on the use of the technology.