SB351 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim McClendon

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Alabama Ahead Act, provisions re pen-enabled, phase-in, reassignment, and advisory committee deleted, oversight committee established, use of funds for high-quality standards-based broadband wifi infrastructure provided, effective date amended, Secs. 16-16B-1, 16-16B-2 am'd., Act 2012-560 am'd.

Summary

SB351 shifts the Alabama Ahead Act from pen-enabled devices to a voluntary plan that funds high-quality Wi-Fi in classrooms and libraries, overseen by a new Alabama Ahead Oversight Committee, with remaining funds for mobile digital resources.

What This Bill Does

It removes requirements for pen-enabled tablets, phase-in, device reassignment, and the advisory committee, and creates the Alabama Ahead Oversight Committee. It directs funds to first build and maintain a high-quality, standards-based broadband Wi-Fi infrastructure in every regular-use classroom and library, with any leftover funds used for mobile digital resources; local school systems may participate voluntarily. It also allows implementation without a separate act of the Legislature and sets immediate effect, with defined implementation priorities and ongoing reporting and oversight requirements.

Who It Affects

• Public school students and teachers who would gain access to in-school high-quality Wi-Fi and digital instructional materials if their district participates.
• Local school systems/districts and state entities (Department of Education and the Alabama Ahead Oversight Committee) responsible for applying for funds, implementing the plan, and monitoring progress.

Key Provisions

• Delete pen-enabled device requirement, phase-in provisions, reassignment provisions, and the advisory committee; create the Alabama Ahead Oversight Committee; participation by local school systems becomes voluntary.
• Funds must be used first to purchase/install/maintain/upgrade high-quality, standards-based broadband Wi-Fi infrastructure in every regular-use classroom and library; remaining funds may be used to purchase mobile digital resources; local systems may opt in.
• Amend Sections 16-16B-1 and 16-16B-2; add Section 16-16B-2.1 to set implementation priorities: establish WLAN infrastructure; meet standards with enterprise-level equipment; allow remaining funds for additional digital learning improvements; include debt retirement for compliant networks.
• Implementation priorities include 30-40 device support per regular classroom, adequate library and cafeteria Wi-Fi, and coverage for administrative areas; allow funds for related technology and management tools after infrastructure is in place.
• Applications for funds must be signed by the local technology coordinator, superintendent, and chief school financial officer and include a professional development plan for teachers.
• School systems must submit technology plans and infrastructure readiness reports; the Department of Education shall monitor progress and report to the Oversight Committee at least every six months until the project is completed.
• Section 14 of Act 2012-560 is amended to remove the requirement that implementation depend on separate legislative enactment.
• The act becomes effective immediately after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education