THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

INTRODUCED BY TOMLINSON, ERICKSON, PICCOLA, FONTANA, BROWNE, M. WHITE, RAFFERTY, BOSCOLA, EICHELBERGER AND PIPPY, MARCH 8, 2011

REFERRED TO EDUCATION, MARCH 8, 2011  

AN ACT

Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An

act relating to the public school system, including certain

provisions applicable as well to private and parochial

schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the

laws relating thereto," providing for technology grants for

equipment and services.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Section 1505-A of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.

30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, added April

27, 1998 (P.L.270, No.46), is amended to read:

Section 1505-A.  Technology Grants for Equipment and

Services.--(a)  The purposes of the technology grants to benefit

students in nonpublic and private schools are to:

(1)  Improve the education Pennsylvania's nonpublic and

private school students receive.

(2)  Increase nonpublic and private students' access to

worldwide information, expertise and resources available through

technology.

(3)  Provide professional development opportunities to ensure

nonpublic and private school teachers can use technology

effectively with the curriculum.

(4)  Complement Link-to-Learn's efforts and add value to the

Pennsylvania Education Network by forging collaborative

partnerships between educational institutions.

(5)  Complement Federal technology initiatives.

(b)  The Department of Education through intermediate units

shall have the power and duty to purchase computer hardware,

software, connectivity and related technology to loan them to

all children residing in this Commonwealth who are enrolled in

grades kindergarten through twelve of a nonpublic and private

school and may provide professional development opportunities.

The Secretary of Education shall establish a per capita formula

based on the number of eligible students in nonpublic and

private schools and each intermediate unit. Funds shall be

allocated to intermediate units who shall purchase and loan the

equipment to such children based on the per capita formula

established by the Secretary of Education and may provide

professional development opportunities. Equipment and services

shall not be used for sectarian purposes.

(c)  In July of 2011, and annually thereafter, the Secretary

of Education shall allocate to each intermediate unit an amount

equal to the number of nonpublic school students as of October 1

of the preceding school year who are enrolled in nonpublic

schools within the intermediate unit times thirty-five dollars

($35). The Secretary of Education shall increase this figure on

a proportionate basis whenever there is an increase in the basic

education funding for public school districts in the General

Appropriation Act enacted for the then current State fiscal

year.

Section 2.  This act shall take effect immediately.