§ 20-2-252 - Electronic technology
O.C.G.A. 20-2-252 (2010)
20-2-252. Electronic technology
(a) Local school systems shall develop long-term system-wide electronic technology plans which list assessed needs; describe the planned phasing in of the computer hardware, software, and related electronic technology necessary to address the assessed needs; and contain such other items as the State Board of Education may deem necessary for an effective electronic technology plan. The state board shall adopt a long-term state-wide electronic technology plan which is reflective of needs identified state wide and the priorities and planned actions designed to address such needs. The state board shall prescribe the method and frequency by which such electronic technology plans shall be updated.
(b) The State Board of Education shall grant funds to local units of administration to be used to purchase computer hardware, software, and related electronic technology and to finance the costs of staff development programs pertaining to the use and application of computers and related electronic technology in educational programs and services, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly. The amount of funds granted to any local school system shall be based upon the extent of need as reflected in its electronic technology plan, the consistency of such need with the priorities established by the state board's state-wide plan, and such other considerations as deemed necessary by the state board. The amount of local funds required may be based upon the ability of a local school system to pay a share of the cost relative to the ability of other local school systems in the state to pay their share of such cost. Such local funds shall be in excess of the local funds required for the local five mill share pursuant to Code Section 20-2-164 and in excess of the local funds required as a portion of the costs for other grant programs authorized under this article.
(c) The State Board of Education shall evaluate hardware and software, disseminate effective software, provide technical assistance and staff development training to local units of administration, and perform such other related functions as deemed necessary by the state board.
(d) The State Board of Education shall prescribe criteria, policies, and standards deemed necessary for the effective implementation of this Code section and shall take all actions deemed necessary to facilitate the adoption and effective utilization of computers and related electronic technology in improvement of the operations of educational programs and services in the state.
(e) The State Board of Education shall prescribe criteria, policies, and standards deemed necessary for the effective implementation of a program financed wholly or partially from appropriations from the Lottery for Education Account and established for the purpose of providing teachers the necessary training in the use and application of computers and advanced electronic instructional technology to implement interactive learning environments in the classroom and to access the state-wide distance learning network. The State Board of Education shall expend funds appropriated for such purpose to defray the costs associated with repairing and maintaining advanced electronic instructional technology.