Budget Amendment ID: FY2024-S3-803-R1

Redraft OTH 803

Digital Text Books

Ms. Gobi and Messrs. Gomez and Oliveira moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 53 the following section:-

"SECTION 53A. Notwithstanding any special or general law to the contrary, the department of higher education shall expend the remaining funds provided for a digital textbook pilot program in item 7066-0000 of section 2 of chapter 126 of the acts 2022. Provided, however, that those funds shall be made available through a newly-issued competitive bid process through which the award shall be made to a digital textbook vendor that has educational materials related to not less than 600 courses and has had not less than 3 years of experience providing 7 days a week, 24 hours a day technical assistance for faculty and student subscribers through online and telephonic access. The funds shall be awarded to serve students attending any of the community college campuses previously identified by the department for this pilot program. The selected vendor shall prepare and submit to the commonwealth quantitative and qualitative evaluations of the pilot program, including, but not limited to, the number of participating students, the amount of material used by those students and the impact on student performance. Any unexpended funds for this purpose shall not revert to the General Fund but shall be made available until June 30, 2024."