1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3197 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 86
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Thomas P. Walsh
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying
resolve:
Resolve establishing a special commission to review advancements in educational technology,
digital/online learning and related programs.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Thomas P. Walsh12th Essex1/18/2023 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3197 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 86
By Representative Walsh of Peabody, a petition (accompanied by resolve, House, No. 86) of
Thomas P. Walsh for an investigation by a special commission relative to advancements in
educational technology, digital and online learning, and related programs. Advanced
Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 144 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
_______________
Resolve establishing a special commission to review advancements in educational technology,
digital/online learning and related programs.
1 Resolved, to establish a special commission to review advancements in educational
2technology, digital/online learning and related programs in order to provide the Administration,
3the Legislature, Municipalities and all other interested parties with the most current research and
4information concerning educational technology and content to assess the feasibility of state, local
5and private educational systems adopting, implementing or integrating current technology to
6enhance and improve the educational experience for students and educational professionals while
7reducing costs for the citizens of the Commonwealth.
8 WHEREAS there have been exceptional advancements and innovation with educational
9technology in recent years, and 2 of 3
10 WHEREAS the current pandemic has demonstrated the need to upgrade the methodology
11of providing educational instruction and innovation to insure that our citizens and educational
12professionals are properly served, and
13 WHEREAS it is necessary that our public officials and educational professionals to have
14the best possible information about the available resources to adequately provide educational
15opportunities for all of their constituents and particularly the underserved populations. It is
16hereby
17 Resolved, that a special commission be established to review advancements in
18educational technology, digital/online learning and related programs in order to provide the
19Administration, the Legislature, Municipalities and all other interested parties with the most
20current research and information concerning educational technology and content to assess the
21feasibility of state, local and private educational systems adopting, implementing or integrating
22improved technology to enhance the educational experience for students and educational
23professionals and reduce costs for the citizens of the Commonwealth.
24 The commission shall consist of 9 members as follows: the secretary of technology
25services and security, the chairman of the board of higher education, the chair of the board of
26elementary and secondary education, or their designee(s) and 6 members appointed by the
27governor: one of whom shall represent either umass online or mass colleges online, one of whom
28shall be from the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts, two of
29whom shall be representatives of digital learning technology and content companies , two of
30whom shall be a representatives of U.S. -based, large technology companies with a significant
31component in educational technology who have a business presence in the Commonwealth. 3 of 3
32 In addition to an analysis of the technology the commission shall address issues such as
33improving access to underserved populations, public/private partnerships, cost containment and
34the integration of educational technology in non-traditional venues.
35 Appointments to the commission shall be made within 30 days of the Governor’s
36approval of this Resolve.
37 The commission shall report to the Governor and the general court the results of its study
38and recommendations by filing the same with the Governor and the clerk of the house of
39representatives within 180 days of the appointments to the Commission.