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Assembly committee moves Education Technology Empowerment Act to appropriations
Summary
AB 903 directs the California Department of Education to develop best practices for technology use in schools aimed at closing the digital divide and accelerating student achievement; the committee passed the bill as amended with broad stakeholder engagement.
Assemblymember Avila Farias presented AB 903, the Education Technology Empowerment Act of 2025, which would direct the California Department of Education (CDE) to establish best practices for harnessing technology to accelerate student academic achievement and prioritize highest-need schools.
The author said the bill responds to the COVID-19-era digital divide and intends to make the use of devices and broadband an integrated, evidence-based part of local continuous improvement plans while emphasizing professional development and the creation of a statewide advisory body. Witnesses from the California Emerging Technology Fund—School to Home initiative and Computer-Using Educators described how technology can close achievement gaps when paired with adequate training, instructional design and supports for teachers, parents and students.
Several county offices, parent groups, digital equity advocates and district representatives testified in support. Early opposition from some county offices was withdrawn after the author accepted amendments that the committee and staff negotiated; those stakeholders said the amendments addressed earlier concerns.
The committee voted to pass AB 903 as amended to appropriations with eight affirmative votes recorded at the roll call.
