SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1331        FILED ON: 2/16/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 62

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Walter F. Timilty

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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 in order to provide the Commonwealth with the most current research and information.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1331        FILED ON: 2/16/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 62

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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Resolve establishing a special commission to review advancements in educational technology, digital/online learning and related programs in order to provide the Commonwealth with the most current research and information.

Resolved, WHEREAS, there have been exceptional advancements and innovation with educational technology in recent years, and

WHEREAS, the current pandemic has demonstrated the need to upgrade the methodology of providing educational instruction and innovation to insure that our citizens and educational professionals are properly served, and

WHEREAS, it is necessary that our public officials and educational professionals to have the best possible information about the available resources to adequately provide educational opportunities for all of their constituents and particularly the underserved populations.

It is hereby Resolved, that a special commission be established to review advancements in educational technology, digital/online learning and related programs in order to provide the Administration, the Legislature, Municipalities and all other interested parties with the most current research and information concerning educational technology and content to assess  the feasibility of state, local and private educational systems adopting, implementing or integrating improved technology to enhance the educational experience for students and educational professionals and reduce costs for the citizens of the Commonwealth.

The commission shall consist of 9 members as follows: the secretary of technology services and security, the chairman of the board of higher education, the chair of the board of elementary and secondary education, or their designee(s) and 6 members appointed by the governor: one of whom shall represent either UMass online or mass colleges online, one of whom shall be from the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts, two of whom shall be representatives of digital learning technology and content companies , two of whom shall be a representatives of U.S. -based, large technology companies with a significant component in educational technology who have a business presence in the Commonwealth.

In addition to an analysis of the technology the commission shall address issues such as improving access to underserved populations, public/private partnerships, cost containment and the integration of educational technology in non-traditional venues.

Appointments to the commission shall be made within 30 days of the Governor’s approval of this Resolve.

The commission shall report to the Governor and the general court the results of its study and recommendations by filing the same with the Governor and the clerk of the house of representatives within 180 days of the appointments to the Commission.