§18-2J-1 Findings; intent and purpose of article. - West Virginia Statutes

§18-2J-1. Findings; intent and purpose of article.
(a) The Legislature finds that technology may be used in the public school system for many purposes including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) As an instructional tool that enables teachers to meet the individual instructional needs of students who differ in learning styles, learning rates and the motivation to learn;

(2) As an effective resource for providing corrective, remedial and enrichment activities to help students achieve proficiency at grade level or above in the basic skills of reading, composition and arithmetic that are essential for advancement to more rigorous curriculum and success in higher education, occupational and avocational pursuits;

(3) To ensure that all students have a basic level of computer literacy that will enable them to participate fully in a society in which computers are an ever more prevalent medium for social, economic and informational interaction;

(4) To provide greater access for students to advanced curricular offerings, virtual field trips, problem solving, team-building exercises, reference information and source knowledge than could be provided efficiently through traditional on-site delivery formats;

(5) To help students obtain information on post-secondary educational opportunities, financial aid and the skills and credentials required in various occupations that will help them better prepare for a successful transition following high school;

(6) To help students learn to think critically, apply academic knowledge in real-life situations, make decisions and gain an understanding of the modern workplace environment through simulated workplace programs;

(7) As a resource for teachers by providing them with access to sample lesson plans, curriculum resources, on-line staff development, continuing education and college course-work; and

(8) As a tool for managing information, reporting on measures of accountability, analyzing student learning and helping to improve student, school and school system performance;

(b) The Legislature finds that technology may be used in the system of higher education for many purposes including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) For teaching, learning and research for all students across all disciplines and programs;

(2) By students, staff and faculty to discover, create, communicate and collaborate, as well as to enhance research and economic development activities;

(3) For digital age literacy, problemsolving, creativity, effective communication, collaboration and high productivity skills essential for West Virginia citizens in a rapidly changing global economy;

(4) By libraries in higher education to offer reference services in a virtual environment online;

(5) By libraries in higher education to create and share cataloging records and that it is possible to create a seamless resource for sharing these resources between public and higher education; and

(6) To offer electronic document delivery services to distance education students and to a multitude of professionals throughout the state.

(c) The Legislature further finds that all of the uses of technology in the public school and higher education systems are not necessarily exclusive and, therefore, that areas exist wherein cooperation and collaboration between the public schools, the institutions of higher education and their respective governing bodies will enable them to combine and share resources, improve efficiency and better serve their students.

(d) The intent and purpose of this article is to establish a unified approach to the planning, procurement and implementation of technology and technology services in the public schools, the institutions of higher education and their respective governing bodies that will guide the administration and allocation of educational technology funds.