Briefing: SB1512 (early version) eLearning Centered School

Senate Bill 1512 – eLearning centered school system

Rationale: A statewide K-12 eLearning system with 1:1 student per computer will bring a surge in academic performance, a plunge in the dropout rate and a highly competitive 21^st Century workforce. Arizona will be highly attractive for high-quality well-paying jobs and economic development, and our Arizona cluster of eLearning enterprises will continue to flourish. Arizona will lead the nation in the newest high tech industry, eLearning. Also, eLearning is demonstrably effective in teaching languages: That means an effective resolution to the English Language Learner challenge.

Background: This eSATS bill is sponsored by Senate President Ken Bennett. More than two dozen Senators and Representatives signed the introduced bill. This shows strong bi-partisan support. The bill is based on the eSATS statewide systems design for transforming Arizona K-12 education focused on the Teacher-Student interaction.

Long Range Strategic Goal: Create an intellectual infrastructure of digital curriculum, knowledge and access; telecommunications and information system; eLearning savvy teachers; piloted eLearning Centered Schools; and cyber-schools during the early years. Over the remaining ten years build out K-12 eLearning with one computer on every student desk (1.3 million) with broadband connectivity, continuous teacher professional development and individualized digital curriculum.

SB1512 Strategy for 2006: Create and develop three critical elements for the launch of the Arizona K-12 eLearning system:

Digital Curriculum Institute will create knowledge systems and portal for all available K-12 digital curriculums (education software). These experts will evaluate the effectiveness of this digital curriculum for increasing student academic performance, supporting Arizona Academic Standards, student motivation and ease of use, and automated assessments. Educational technologist extension agents will support the adoption of the most appropriate digital curriculum by working with administrators, curriculum directors and teachers in their schools and classrooms.

Integrated Instructional and Data System with data warehouse will support the student and teacher in the class room while providing decision support for school and state leaders. This statewide system will support eLearning, knowledge access and communications with internet Web based services for all Arizona public schools.

Arizona eLearning Task Force will be created under the Arizona Board of Regents with three members each appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and Speaker of the House; and one each from the Board of Regents and the Superintendent of Education. The Task Force's charge will be to establish statewide policy for eLearning programs, oversee the implementation of these programs and develop innovative eLearning solutions.

Funding:

Digital Curriculum Institute: $1,000,000 to Arizona Board of Regents. Additional $3,000,000 available for 1:2 matching support from other sources. Total potential $10,000,000.

Integrated Instructional and Data System: $1,900,000 Arizona Department of Education.

Ted Kraver, 602-844-8557, tkraver@qwest.net, azeLearning.org

President, eLearning System for Arizona Teachers and Students

Bob Rosenberg 602-206-2856 bob@bobrosenberg.com Eb60204SenateBill1512lBrief.doc