Joint Commission on Technology and Science

Open Education Resources Advisory Committee
October 1, 2007

The Open Education Resources Advisory Committee met on October 1, 2007, at the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) in Chester, Virginia, with Delegate Chris Peace as chair. The JCOTS committee was established to study the textbook purchasing policies in the Commonwealth and study the use of open education resources to both lower the cost of textbooks and improve the quality of learning in the K-12 environment.

The staff updated the committee on open education resources (OER) legislation in other states and the One Laptop Per Child Program (OLPC).

GUEST SPEAKERS

TOM BARBER, VICE PRESIDENT OF CUSTOMIZATION AND SPECIAL MARKETS - HOLT, RINEHART, AND WINSTON
Tom Barber of Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, an education publishing company, provided an overview of the progressing textbook market from a publisher's perspective. The advisory committee was particularly interested in Mr. Barber's opinions on textbook purchasing policies in other states. He stated that California is one of the more regulated states, but Florida and Texas have emerged as leaders in textbook purchasing/utilization policies, but individual localities such as Henrico County in Virginia can emerge as leaders.

The members were interested in the feasibility of Holt, Rinehart, and Winston offering the option of printing select chapters of materials at a reduced cost. Mr. Barber responded that he could envision this type of option for the middle grade sciences at some point in the future, but it was not an option at present.

Texas is a leader because the state adopts all textbooks for public education in one year. This large purchasing contract controls the market and publishers respond more quickly to the demands and needs of the Texas school system. Another advantage is that Texas textbook funding is based on purchasing per textbook instead of per student.

GAVIN BAKER, TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANT
Mr. Baker discussed the definition of open access and the open access movement on the internet, as well as provided the members with an overview of open access journals as open education resources that may be used by the public schools as learning materials in the future. The presentation and handout are available on the JCOTS website.

DISCUSSION

Delegate Peace asked a representative from Pearson Education, Inc., in attendance if his company had made any efforts to offer more adaptive learning materials in Virginia. The representative stated that Pearson Education, Inc., proposed the offering of six years of consumable class lessons, but the Virginia Board of Education stated that the this arrangement would not be allowed under state Code, because the materials would not last for six years, which is the requirement for textbook contracts.

The members discussed the need for infrastructure improvements and equipment upgrades in many public school classrooms, before the state could adopt many of the open resources discussed during the meeting.

It was suggested that a state depository be created at a Virginia university consisting of teaching materials and lessons developed at K-12 public schools. The project could be tested with a pilot program.

Delegate Peace asked that staff research the current state Code regarding purchasing textbooks to determine if the lack of a definition for "textbook" restricted a locality from adopting electronic materials that could substitute for traditional textbooks.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was time allotted for public comment on the agenda, but there was none received.

Aerospace Advisory Committee
October 9, 2007

The JCOTS Aerospace Meeting was held on October 9, 2007, at the NASA Visitor Center, Wallop's Island with Delegate John Cosgrove as chair. The meeting was open to the public and featured several guest speakers.

PRESENTATIONS

WAYNE WOODHAM, MID-ATLANTIC INSTITUTE OF SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY (MIST)
Wayne Woodham provided the advisory committee with an overview of the Mid-Atlantic Institute of Space and Technology (PowerPoint available on JCOTS website). Mr. Woodham identified three priorities for MIST: autonomous vehicles, operationally responsive space, and commercial launch operations. With access to restricted airspace, especially over the coastal landscape, Mr. Woodham hopes to take advantage of the recent interest in developing and testing unmanned aerial vehicles.

After the presentation the advisory committee discussed the status of the MOU entered by the governor's of Virginia and Maryland in 2003. The advisory committee is interested in re-establishing some form of formal relationship with Maryland.

BOB MARSHALL, VIRGINIA SPACE FLIGHT ACADEMY (VSFA)
Bob Marshall provided an overview of the Virginia Space Flight Academy (PowerPoint available on JCOTS website). Mr. Marshall and the advisory committee briefly discussed the need for an additional marketing staff member for the Academy to help in recruiting campers.

DR. BURTON LEE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, SPACE ANGELS NETWORK, MANAGING PARTNER, INNOVARIUM VENTURES: THE SPACE FLORIDA MODEL AND RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE CHANGES TO THE VIRGINIA COMMERCIAL SPACEFLIGHT AUTHORITY.
Dr. Burton Lee provided an overview of space activities in several states as well as a comprehensive review of Florida's model and recommended changes to Virginia's Commercial Spaceflight Authority. A list of formal recommendations can be found in Dr. Lee's presentation materials, which are available on the JCOT’s website.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Designated time was reserved for members of the public to express their views relating to the Aerospace Advisory Committee and Aerospace policy in the Commonwealth, however, no public comment was received.

WORK PLAN AND NEXT MEETING

Delegate Cosgrove requested the advisory committee meet one final time for the 2007 interim to review potential recommendations for legislation during the 2008 General Assembly Session.

Chairman:
The Hon. Joe T. May

Vice-chair:
The Hon. John C. Watkins

For information, contact:
Lisa Wallmeyer, Executive Director
Patrick Cushing, JCOTS Staff Attorney

Website:
http://jcots.state.va.us

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