The act would require recipients of Universal Service Discounts (E-rate) to have in place, for the protection of minors, technology to filter or block obscenity, child pornography, and material that is harmful to minors, and in the case of adults, block or filter child pornography and obscenity.

For schools or libraries that do not receive Universal Service Discounts (E-rate), if such schools or libraries purchase computers, Internet access or related services with either ESEA Title III (technology) or Museum and Library Services Act funds, they must have in place, for the protection of minors, technology to filter or block obscenity, child pornography, and material that is harmful to minors, and in the case of adults, block or filter child pornography and obscenity.

Local officials would have the latitude to disable filtering or blocking technology for bona fide research and other lawful purposes. Funds made available under Title III and Title VI of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and under the Museum and Library Services Act may be used to purchase filtering or blocking software.

Funded Initiatives

The "Funded Initiatives" for Educational Technology & Media include direct funding to local school systems for the purchase of computers and related equipment, technology specialists, telecommunications and funding for school media services. It also includes services provided to local school systems like Educational Technology and Media Training Centers, GALILEO and the Georgia Statewide Internet Network. The funds for these initiatives are derived from the Georgia Lottery, Georgia State Funds and Federal Appropriations.

Training

The Training section provides information about technology training opportunities in Georgia. It includes information about DOE Educational Technology and Media Training, the DOE Technology Training Center for DOE employees and InTech – The Georgia Framework for Integrating Technology in the Student Centered Classroom. This section also includes information about the Jason Project and ThinkQuest, two national programs in which Georgia is involved.

Other Services

The Other Services section provides information about services provided by Educational Technology and Media as well as programs and initiatives related to Educational Technology. It includes information about EVALUTECH – Software Evaluation, the Georgia Technology Leadership Listserv, GSAMS, the Georgia Statewide Technology inventory, Technology Planning and Georgia Student Technology Standards.