1997 Minnesota Code
Chapters 120 - 129B Education Code: Prekindergarten - Grade 12
Chapter 121 State Administration; Interstate Compact
Section 121.95 Education technology improvement clearinghouses.

121.95 Education technology improvement clearinghouses.

Subdivision 1. Establishment. The commissioner of children, families, and learning shall establish a grant program for regional clearinghouses for school districts. The grants must be used to upgrade and refurbish computers that are donated to schools and provide opportunities for student involvement. The purposes of the enterprises are to:

(1) serve as centers where business or others may donate new or used computer and other technology for use by Minnesota schools;

(2) provide an opportunity for students to upgrade donated and existing school-owned computers so that they are capable of being connected to the Internet and local networks; and

(3) provide a means of informing schools of available technology and distributing donated and upgraded computers to schools for technology improvements in support of learning.

Each clearinghouse must encourage opportunities for students to learn skills, including the technical skills needed to retrofit and upgrade computers. The clearinghouse shall retain the ability to review equipment for suitability and refuse equipment that does not meet the standards or is not suitable for use in schools. At a minimum, all donated computers must be suitable for upgrade so that the retrofitted computer can be connected to the Internet and a local computer network.

Subd. 2. Grants. The commissioner shall establish procedures and develop forms for applying for grants under this section. The grants may be used to purchase needed technology for upgrading donated computers and other donated technology, for the cost of computer distribution, and for the cost of informing businesses and others about technology donations to the clearinghouse. The commissioner shall develop guidelines for the use and distribution of any computers donated and upgraded through this grant program. The commissioner may establish priorities and prorate grants to match appropriations for the grant program.

HIST: 1996 c 412 art 12 s 1