S.B. 721

VETOES

requiring certain consortia to take certain action concerning certain technology;
defining certain terms; stating the intent of the General Assembly regarding funding
for provisions of this Act; and generally relating to the acquisition and use of certain
technology in education for certain purposes.

BY adding to

Article - Education

Section 7-701 through 7-708 7-709, inclusive, to be under the new subtitle

"Subtitle 7. Technology for Education"
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1992 Replacement Volume and 1993 Supplement)

Preamble

The General Assembly finds that:

(1) technology applications can propel the State's school systems into
immediate and dramatic reform, without which the State will not meet the very ambitious
National Education Goals by the target year 2000;

(2) creative uses of technology can reshape the State's outdated method of
providing education and empower teachers to create an environment whore students can
be challenged through rigorous, rich classroom instruction at a pace that suits the
learning style of each individual student;

(3)     the acquisition and use of technology in education throughout the State
has been inhibited by:

(i) the limited exposure of students and teachers to the power of
technology as a cost effective tool to improve student learning and achievement;

(ii) the inability of the State and local educational agencies to invest in
and support needed technologies;

(iii) the lack of appropriate electrical and telephone connections in the
classroom; and

(iv) the limited availability of technology enhanced curriculum, staff
development, and administrative support resources and services in the educational
marketplace;

(4)     advancements in technology offer new and interesting possibilities to
promote new partnerships among teachers, students, parents, communities, and industry
in the quest for knowledge and the process for learning;

(5)     the use of technology will cultivate and maintain a technologically
literate citizenry and internationally competitive workforce when used as an essential tool
in the learning process;

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