THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2615
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  There is established in the department of education an electronic book pilot program for students in one intermediate or middle public school, to be selected by the department.  The department shall provide, free of charge for the 2010-2011 school year, books presented in a digital format to be read directly from the screen of a personal computer, laptop, or other portable device.

     SECTION 2.  The department shall select one intermediate or middle public school and may select a subset of students within that school to participate in the pilot program.  Selected students shall notify the department in writing of their commitment to participate in the pilot program for the school year or their election to not participate in the program.  Participating students shall use designated electronic books for the duration of the school year instead of printed textbooks.  The department, in consultation with officials of the selected schools, shall determine other rules and selection criteria for students and textbooks to use as a part of the pilot program.

     SECTION 3.  During the school year, if a student or a student's parents find that the student's participation in the pilot program is detrimental to the student's learning and desire to end participation in the program, the student or the student's parents may do so without penalty.  Any student who drops out of the program shall return any distributed materials or electronic devices to the department in good working condition and shall not be allowed to participate in the program for the remainder of the school year.

     SECTION 4.  The department shall submit a written report on the implementation and effectiveness of the electronic book pilot program to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2012 regular session.  The report shall include findings and recommendations, costs expended, and anticipated problems and estimated costs of implementing an electronic book system for all public schools.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2010-2011 for the planning and implementation of an electronic book pilot program for the 2010-2011 school year.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2010.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Electronic Book Pilot Program; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for an electronic book pilot program for an intermediate or middle school to be selected by the department of education.

 

 

 

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