K-20 Network

In March 1996 the Legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 6705 authorizing $42.3 million to create a K-20 educational telecommunications network. The network provides Internet, videoconferencing, and video program services to schools, colleges and universities statewide. Legislators recognize that distance learning and other technological applications are a cost-effective way to provide quality educational service to students who, given the demand on limited resources, might miss them otherwise. Since 1996 the Legislature has added $11 million, raising the total available to fund the network to $54 million. During the 1998-99 school year, school districts were provided funding by the state to implement a basic videoconferencing system to enable them to make use of this K-20 capability.  Through a technology grant award, participating SRVOP sites were given additional equipment to enhance their ability to participate in videoconferencing sessions specific to this unique project.