HB1283
To Require The Division Of Elementary And Secondary Education To Include Digital Media Standards In Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve Library Media Standards.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill mandates the inclusion of digital media standards within the existing kindergarten through twelfth-grade library media standards in Arkansas. The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education is required to revise these standards by the 2026-2027 school year. The new digital media standards will encompass instruction on digital citizenship, digital wellness, internet safety, social media literacy, and the proper use of artificial intelligence. Definitions for terms such as artificial intelligence, digital citizenship, digital wellness, information literacy, media literacy, news literacy, and social media literacy are provided. The division will also be responsible for identifying and curating resources for parents, educators, and students to support the implementation of these standards. Furthermore, the bill amends the job duties of library media specialists to include providing instruction in digital media literacy as part of library media center standards. These standards are to be age-appropriate and progressively build upon prior knowledge. The bill aims to address the perceived harmful effects of social media and equip students with digital literacy skills.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be K-12 students in Arkansas, who would receive formal instruction in digital media literacy, digital citizenship, and online safety. Educators and school library media specialists would benefit from updated standards and potentially curated resources to facilitate this instruction. Parents and legal guardians could also benefit from resources provided to help them support their children's digital education. The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education would be tasked with developing and implementing these standards, potentially leading to increased focus on digital education within the state's educational framework.
Who Might Suffer?
The primary entities that might be negatively impacted by this bill are the schools and the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, which will incur the responsibility and potential costs associated with revising and implementing the new digital media standards. Educators, particularly library media specialists, may face increased workload to integrate these new standards into their curriculum and teaching practices. Additionally, the bill's focus on 'potentially harmful effects of social media' and 'manipulation of behavior' could lead to content or instruction that some parents or community members may find overly restrictive or ideologically driven, potentially causing controversy or requiring further parental engagement.