The department shall:

1. A. administer the provisions of the Digital Equity in Education Act;

2. B. require school districts and charter schools to develop, implement and submit to the department educational technology plans for utilizing educational technology in the school system, which shall include descriptions of:

   1. (1) how digital equity is being addressed for students;
   2. (2) the replacement and repair process for devices issued to students, teachers and families;
   3. (3) internet service connectivity support, including access to internet services for at-risk students;
   4. (4) information technology support available to students, teachers and parents;
   5. (5) professional development provided to teachers regarding digital citizenship;
   6. (6) cybersecurity protection provided for the devices and applications issued to teachers and students; and
   7. (7) identity protection provided to teachers and students; and
3. C. promulgate rules to establish parameters and procedures for distributions from the educational technology fund.

History: Laws 1994, ch. 96, § 4; 2023, ch. 161, § 3.

ANNOTATIONS

The 2023 amendment, effective July 1, 2023, transferred certain duties from the former education technology bureau to the department of education, and revised certain duties related to digital equity and information technology; in the section heading, substituted "bureau" with "department"; in the introductory clause, deleted "In accordance with the policies and regulations of the state board, the bureau" and added "The department"; in Subsection A, after "provisions of the", deleted "Technology for" and added "Digital Equity in"; deleted former Subsection B and redesignated former Subsection C as Subsection B; in Subsection B, deleted "assist" and added "require", after "implement", deleted "a strategic, long-term plan" and added "and submit to the department educational technology plans", and after "school system", added "which shall include descriptions of"; added Paragraphs B(1) through B(7); added a new Subsection C; and deleted Subsections D through H.