Educational technology: Digital Education Equity Pilot Program: county offices of education.

Existing law expresses the intent of the Legislature that the state should encourage the use of multiple technologies in distance learning education, and that the state should recognize the value of regional networks serving regional needs and the value of a statewide network. This bill would establish the Digital Education Equity Program (DEEPP) , to be administered by the State Department of Education to establish model programs and strategies for providing cost-effective technical assistance and teacher professional development to local educational agencies on the implementation of educational technology, as provided. The bill would require the department to administer and fund the establishment of 4 pilot county offices of education to develop and establish effective professional development and technical support that may be adopted or adapted by each of the remaining 54 county offices of education, to more effectively address locally determined educational needs with the use of technology. The bill would require the department, on or before June 30, 2024, to authorize grants to 4 county offices of education to serve as the pilots for the DEEPP after completing a request for application process, and to develop, implement, and demonstrate effective professional development strategies and support services for school districts and charter schools they serve within their jurisdictions. The bill would require applicant county offices of education to be evaluated based on the extent to which they each provide a specified grant plan in their application, and would condition funds in the 2nd and subsequent years on the submission of an annual report to the department, as provided. The bill would require the strategies and practices developed by the 4 selected pilot county offices of education to be disseminated and would authorize the other 54 county offices of education to adopt these strategies and practices. The bill would require the department to establish an Office of Educational Technology and Digital Equity with sufficient staff to administer the provisions of the bill. The bill would specify the duties of the department in administering the DEEPP, as provided. The bill would authorize the Superintendent to provide centralized statewide educational technology services that address locally defined needs, as specified. The bill would also require the Superintendent to submit an annual written report to the State Board of Education and the Legislature on the services provided, persons served, and funds expended for purposes of the bill, as provided. This bill would make the implementation of its provisions contingent upon an appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act or another statute.