TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice, which would establish a pilot program to integrate educational technology into public school districts with the greatest technological need was unanimously approved today by the Senate Education Committee.
“If we expect our students to be competitive and thrive in a technology-oriented world, we must give them the training necessary to do so,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “For far too long, there have been significant disparities in technological education between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots.’ This legislation would work to end those disparities, and also identify ways to end the ‘digital divide.’”
Senator Rice’s bill, S-1473, would direct the Commissioner of Education to select up to five public schools to participate in the pilot program. Under the program, students would receive computer and Internet literacy skills, and access.
“The reality is that low-income families shouldn’t have to choose between paying bills and ensuring that their children have home computer and Internet access. Often, school media centers provide these students’ only source of Internet access,” said Senator Rice.
This measure now heads to the full Senate for approval. #