MS HB55

Reestablishes the Council for Education Technology as an advisory group attached to the Board of the Department of Information Technology Services and the State Board of Education to develop a master plan for education technology.

Council membership consists of seven ex officio voting members (Chief Information Officer in Department of Education, State Superintendent of Public Education, Executive Director of Department of Information Technology Services, Executive Director of Mississippi Public Broadcasting, Executive Director of Mississippi Library Commission, Executive Director of Mississippi Community College Board, and Commissioner of Higher Education) plus eight appointed members serving four-year terms with a maximum of one reappointment.

Appointed members must have demonstrated knowledge in the use, applications, and specifications of education technology and include representatives appointed by the State Board of Education, Governor (2), Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, Mississippi Educational Computing Association, Board of Information Technology Services, and Mississippi Development Authority.

Council shall meet at least four times per year, elect an annual chairperson (limited to two consecutive terms), and be supported by staff from the Department of Information Technology Services and State Department of Education.

Council responsibilities include providing vision for education technology use in Mississippi, advising legislative appropriations committees, reviewing technology plans and appropriations requests, researching and reporting on bandwidth availability, and submitting annual reports to the Legislature.