Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§18-C is enacted to read:

20-A MRSA

§19109

Maine

Learning

Technology

Endowment

Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §19101, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 731, Pt. FFF, §1, is amended to read:

§19101. Establishment of Maine Learning Technology Endowment;

source of funds

The Maine Learning Technology Endowment, referred to in this chapter as the "endowment," is established. The endowment consists of certain funds dedicated by the Legislature and by other private and public sources for the advancement of learning technology for kindergarten to grade 12 in Maine.

Sec. 3. 20-A MRSA §19102, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 731, Pt. FFF, §1, is amended to read:

§19102. Endowment purpose and plan

1. Purpose. The endowment must be used to enable the full integration of appropriate learning technologies into teaching and learning for the State's elementary and secondary students. The endowment must be managed and governed in a manner that provides for the financially sustainable support, use and integration of learning technology in Maine schools as determined by the Legislature.

2. Learning technology plan. The use of the endowment must be based on a state learning technology plan, referred to in this section as the "plan," developed annually beginning for school year 2002-03 by the commissioner with the advice of the advisory board established under section 19109 and adopted by the Legislature. The annual plan must be designed to achieve the goal of preparing students for a future economy that relies on technology and innovation.

The plan developed annually by the commissioner and the advisory board must include, but is not limited to, consideration of the following:

A.__The appropriate structure, governance and oversight of the endowment;

B.__The current use of learning technology in classrooms in the State;