COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AMENDMENTS TO H.B. 2720
(Reference to printed bill)
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert:
"Section 1. Title 15, chapter 13, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-1650.02, to read:
15-1650.02. Digital curriculum institute
A. The department of education and Arizona state university shall cooperatively establish a digital curriculum institute. The digital curriculum institute shall evaluate online courses and curricula in kindergarten programs and grades one through twelve and determine whether those online courses and curricula meet the academic standards established by the state board of education. The results of the evaluation shall be published on or before December 31, 2010 on a website maintained by the institute in a manner in which the information is accessible to school districts and charter schools for IMPLEMENTATION at the beginning of the 2011‑2012 school year. The evaluation shall include the extent to which the digital curriculum accomplishes each of the following:
1. Increases academic performance.
2. Supports the academic standards adopted by the state board of education.
3. Is grade level appropriate.
4. Is easy to use.
5. Motivates the student to learn.
6. Is transferable.
7. Provides formative assessment data to students and teachers.
B. The digital curriculum institute shall provide technical assistance and support to school district and charter school curriculum directors and teachers in the classrooms. The institute also shall deliver online support through a knowledge‑based web portal to facilitate the adoption of the most appropriate digital curriculum to suit the individual student's academic needs.
C. The digital curriculum institute may solicit and accept grants and donations from any lawful public or private source in order to carry out the purposes of this section. The Arizona board of regents shall deposit Monies received pursuant to this section in a separate account maintained for this purpose.
D. The digital curriculum institute may establish an advisory panel to provide additional research‑based data. The advisory panel shall be composed of teachers, persons with expertise in instructional technology and persons with expertise in digital curricula.
E. The digital curriculum institute may use the services of state agencies, individuals and organizations that have expertise in digital curriculum and extension services."
Amend title to conform