Sec 15-1044. Arizona e-learning task force; duties

A. The Arizona e-learning task force is established. The task force shall consist of the following members:

1. Two representatives of the business community with expertise in technology issues, one of whom shall be appointed by the governor and one of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

2. Two persons who shall have a background in psychometrics, one of whom shall be appointed by the president of the senate and one of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

3. Two persons who have expertise in curriculum development, one of whom shall be appointed by the governor and one of whom shall be appointed by the president of the senate.

4. One teacher who provides instruction in grade six, seven, eight or nine in a public, private or charter school and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

5. One person who represents a public, private or charter school that provides instruction in grade six, seven, eight or nine and who is appointed by the governor.

6. One person who represents an entity that has at least ten years of experience in teacher training and professional development coursework and that has provided such training and coursework to at least five thousand teachers and who is appointed by the president of the senate.

7. Two persons who represent higher education and who have expertise in education technology and twenty-first century learning, one of whom shall be appointed by the president of the senate and one of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

8. One person who has a background in online or digital format formative assessment and who is appointed by the governor.

9. The superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent's designee.

10. The director of the department of administration or the director's designee.

B. The task force shall annually elect a chairperson from among the members of the task force. The department of education shall provide staff support for the task force.

C. The initial members appointed pursuant to subsection A, paragraphs 1 through 8 shall assign themselves by lot to terms of one, two and three years in office. All subsequent members appointed pursuant to subsection A, paragraphs 1 through 8 serve three year terms. The chairperson shall notify the appointing authority of these terms.

D. The task force shall:

1. Examine e-learning programs in other states.

2. Analyze potential methods to implement e-learning programs in this state.

3. Develop innovative e-learning solutions.

4. Submit recommendations to the legislature and the state board of education on the following:

(a) The transformation of traditional instruction programs to e-learning programs.

(b) Options to equip teachers with the most effective technology and training.

(c) Revisions to the current system of school funding as it applies to e-learning programs.

(d) The coordination of a standardized data system for use by school districts that interfaces with the data warehouse system of the department of education and that provides decision support data for the school district office, school personnel, parents and pupils.

(e) The enhancement and expansion of the integrated data to enhance Arizona's learning web portal system within the department of education to best serve the entire educational system in this state.

5. Collaborate with the department of administration and other public and private entities to express the technology needs of schools in this state.

6. Annually report to the legislature regarding e-learning programs and solutions.

E. Task force members are not eligible for compensation, but task force members who are appointed pursuant to subsection A, paragraphs 1 through 8 are eligible for reimbursement of expenses pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2 from monies appropriated to the department of education.