By Charles Iyoho
While converting to a more technological approach would be an exciting possibility for the district
MISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Brian Nichols said recently he doesnt see such an initiative fitting into the districts immediate plans. Nichols said he recently discussed the bill with Marshall High Principal Ted Huffhines asking him if such an initiative would be feasible at the high school level. Huffhines told him he didnt believe so.
Representatives from key education and business organizations last week urged Governor Rick Perry to sign into law landmark legislation that would give schools more flexibility to purchase innovative up-to-date instructional materials and educational technology to better prepare students for a global knowledge-based economy.
The legislation House Bill 4294 would allow school districts to use their state textbook fund allotment to purchase textbooks as well as a wider range of innovative up-to-date and state-approved instructional materials for the classroom according to a press release from state officials.
The bill earned overwhelming approval from Texas lawmakers during a recent legislative session. Gov. Perry has until today to sign the bill let it become law without his signature or veto the measure.
I think the concept of electronic textbooks is an interesting concept said the Marshall Independent School District superintendent. But we certainly are not ready at this point because youre going to have to have laptops for all of the students and as far as I know we dont have that capability right now.
Under current law school districts may only use their state textbook allotment to buy hard copy textbooks or their electronic complement adopted by the Texas State Board of Education (
SBOE). However many school districts are using local tax dollars to purchase and even develop innovative and timely learning materials and technology to augment their textbooks the release says.
During the legislative process HB 4294 was hailed by conservatives and liberals alike as landmark legislation that would put Texas at the forefront of providing cutting-edge educational materials to local students.
Nichols though said MISD officials are focused on other plans at the moment.
He said the district currently is seeking to attain a $1 million grant to be used for technology but doesnt believe those funds are related to HB 4294.
We know that funding is changing and were trying to get a grasp on that right now he said. The accountability system is going to be greatly changed this coming year and so there are a number of things that are going to impact us immediately that were going to have to get involved in.
According to the release HB 4294 would ensure strong local control while empowering districts with greater choice and flexibility to meet the needs of the 21st century workforce by:
- allowing schools to continue to purchase textbooks (hard copy or electronic) from the State Board of Education (SBOE) approved list;
- establishing a Texas Education Agency Commissioners List of approved instructional materials and supporting technology equipment that districts may also purchase with their textbook fund entitlement; and
- establishing a minimum requirement that districts and charter schools purchase a classroom set of SBOE-approved textbooks for each subject and grade.
HB 4294 is critical for Texas schools and our students. It will allow local school districts the ability to choose cutting-edge relevant curricula that will best meet the needs of our students said Johnny Veselka executive director of the Texas Association of School Administrators.
We respectfully ask Governor Perry to put Texas at the forefront of innovative education and give our schools the tools they need to inspire and teach our students.
*This story is from the Marshall Messenger News
By Charles Iyoho
While converting to a more technological approach would be an exciting possibility for the district MISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Brian Nichols said recently he doesnt see such an initiative fitting into the districts immediate plans. Nichols said he recently discussed the bill with Marshall High Principal Ted Huffhines asking him if such an initiative would be feasible at the high school level. Huffhines told him he didnt believe so.
Representatives from key education and business organizations last week urged Governor Rick Perry to sign into law landmark legislation that would give schools more flexibility to purchase innovative up-to-date instructional materials and educational technology to better prepare students for a global knowledge-based economy.
The legislation House Bill 4294 would allow school districts to use their state textbook fund allotment to purchase textbooks as well as a wider range of innovative up-to-date and state-approved instructional materials for the classroom according to a press release from state officials.
The bill earned overwhelming approval from Texas lawmakers during a recent legislative session. Gov. Perry has until today to sign the bill let it become law without his signature or veto the measure.
I think the concept of electronic textbooks is an interesting concept said the Marshall Independent School District superintendent. But we certainly are not ready at this point because youre going to have to have laptops for all of the students and as far as I know we dont have that capability right now.
Under current law school districts may only use their state textbook allotment to buy hard copy textbooks or their electronic complement adopted by the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE). However many school districts are using local tax dollars to purchase and even develop innovative and timely learning materials and technology to augment their textbooks the release says.
During the legislative process HB 4294 was hailed by conservatives and liberals alike as landmark legislation that would put Texas at the forefront of providing cutting-edge educational materials to local students.
Nichols though said MISD officials are focused on other plans at the moment.
He said the district currently is seeking to attain a $1 million grant to be used for technology but doesnt believe those funds are related to HB 4294.
We know that funding is changing and were trying to get a grasp on that right now he said. The accountability system is going to be greatly changed this coming year and so there are a number of things that are going to impact us immediately that were going to have to get involved in.
According to the release HB 4294 would ensure strong local control while empowering districts with greater choice and flexibility to meet the needs of the 21st century workforce by:
