Cy-Fair Independent School District is set to make changes under the implications of Texas House Bill 18. The recent legislative measure was designed to modernize education through technology. The new bill introduces new requirements and new technology into Texas schools, changing various aspects of the educational environment.
How House Bill 18 affects the district
House Bill 18 will update technology and enhance education for the district. One of the biggest changes is the introduction of the new “smart classrooms.” These upgrades are intended to create a more interactive and engaging learning environment.
The bill also mandates the improvement in Internet access across all campuses. The new network will ensure all campuses have access to high-speed Internet. This upgrade is important to support the increased use of digital resources and to better the online learning experience.
In the new bill, the emphasis is on personalizing learning through technology. Cy-Fair ISD has invested in adaptive learning technologies, tailored to meet the needs of individuals. These systems will take in data and then evaluate the student’s performance to then better adjust the curriculum to fit a particular learning style and pace.
Data security concerns
With the rise in technology use, there are also concerns about data security. House Bill 18 addresses these concerns by introducing stricter guidelines for protecting students’ personal information. The district will implement stronger security measures, with the goal of ensuring students’ data is safe from unauthorized access and breaches.
The only accessible digital resources contain published privacy policy, published terms of services and published age limitations. This is meant to protect minors (anyone under the age of 18) from the harmful and distracting elements on an unauthorized digital service provider, such as a cell phone, in a public classroom. This transparency helps to ensure that parents and students are well-informed about the digital tools being accessed in the classrooms.
Opting out of technology
Parents will have the option to opt out of the digital resources introduced by the bill meaning that their student will be unable to access particular district-authorized software in the educational environment and will not receive a district Chromebook. If the course the student enrolled in is on the district’s list of courses that primarily utilize software engagement, the student will not be able to continue in the class. Opted-out students will continue their studies using traditional paper-based methods.
Overall, the changes brought by House Bill 18 are expected to have a big impact on the educational experience in Cy-Fair ISD. The district is working to integrate new technology into schools while allowing parents the freedom to protect their students’ privacy. These advancements are aimed at creating a more modern and effective learning environment for all students in the district.
