1. (a) The Senator David C. Ford educational technology fund is established to extend educational technologies to elementary and secondary schools. The fund may be used for:

   1. (1) a school technology program developed by the department. The program may include grants to school corporations for the purchase of:

      1. (A) equipment, hardware, and software;
      2. (B) learning and teaching systems; and

      3. (C) other materials;

         that promote student learning, as determined by the department;

   2. (2) conducting educational technology training for teachers;
   3. (3) other innovative educational technology programs; and
   4. (4) providing professional learning opportunities for educators regarding digital learning.

2. (b) The department may also use money in the fund under contracts entered into with the office of technology established by IC 4-13.1-2-1 to study the feasibility of establishing an information telecommunications gateway that provides access to information on employment opportunities, career development, and instructional services from data bases operated by the state among the following:

   1. (1) Elementary and secondary schools.
   2. (2) Postsecondary educational institutions.
   3. (3) Career and technical educational centers and institutions that are not postsecondary educational institutions.
   4. (4) Libraries.
   5. (5) Any other agencies offering education and training programs.

3. (c) The fund consists of:

   1. (1) state appropriations;
   2. (2) private donations to the fund; or
   3. (3) any combination of the amounts described in subdivisions (1) and (2).
4. (d) The fund shall be administered by the department.

5. (e) Unexpended money appropriated to or otherwise available in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund but remains available to the department for use under this chapter.

   [Pre-2026 Revision Citation: 20-20-13-6.]

As added by P.L.74-2026, SEC.37.