(1) For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "media literacy" means the:
Ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act through the various forms of media;
Ability to analyze the reliability of information, claims, and sources presented in thevarious forms of media; and
Practice of digital citizenship, including norms of appropriate and responsible behavior and discourse when engaging with media, and the prevention of cyberbullying.
(2) (a) There is created in the department of education the media literacy advisory committee, referred to in this section as the "committee". The committee shall create a report containing recommendations and best practices for implementing media literacy into elementary and secondary education. The report must include, but is not limited to:
Recommended revisions to state education standards for reading, writing, and civics,pursuant to section 22-7-1005 (2)(a), to implement media literacy in elementary and secondary education;
Recommended materials and resources for teachers to adopt for media literacy instruction;
Recommended legislation or rules to implement media literacy in elementary andsecondary education;
Best practices for school districts to develop policies and procedures regarding media literacy;
Strategies to support school districts implementing the best practices and recommendations developed by the committee; and
Recommended opportunities to recognize students and teachers who demonstrateexcellence in media literacy.
(b) The commissioner of education shall appoint the following members to serve on the committee no later than July 15, 2019:
One member who is an academic expert in media literacy;
One member who is a teacher in a rural school district or a small rural school district, as defined in section 22-7-1211 (4), and holds an initial or professional teacher's license pursuant to article 60.5 of this title 22;
One member who is a teacher in a school district that is not a rural school district ora small rural school district, as defined in section 22-7-1211 (4), and holds an initial or professional teacher's license pursuant to article 60.5 of this title 22;
One member who is a librarian and is a member of a professional association oflibrarians;
One member who is a school administrator in a rural school district or a small ruralschool district, as defined in section 22-7-1211 (4), and is a member of a professional association of school administrators;
One member who is a school administrator in a school district that is not a ruralschool district or a small rural school district, as defined in section 22-7-1211 (4), and is a member of a professional association of school administrators;
One member who is a parent or legal guardian of a student who attends a publicschool and is a member of a parent organization;
One member who is a student in a rural school district or a small rural schooldistrict, as defined in section 22-7-1211 (4);
One member who is a student in a school district that is not a rural school district ora small rural school district, as defined in section 22-7-1211 (4);
One member who represents a nonprofit organization specializing in media literacy;
One member who represents a nonprofit organization specializing in journalism;
One member who is a professional print journalist and is a member of a professional association of journalists; and
One member who is a professional broadcast journalist and is a member of aprofessional association of broadcasters.
(3) (a) On or before July 15, 2019, the commissioner of education shall hire a consultant to perform the research and coordination of the committee required to draft the report.
The consultant shall consult with committee members to elicit recommendations forthe report, as described in subsection (2)(a) of this section. The consultant is not required to conduct consultations in person and may conduct consultations through telephone, e-mail, or video conference.
The consultant shall distribute his or her research and draft reports to committeemembers for feedback at least monthly and the latest draft report at least three days prior to the committee meeting described in subsection (3)(d) of this section.
On or before November 1, 2019, the committee shall convene to discuss the draftreport and finalize recommendations for the final report to be submitted pursuant to subsection (4) of this section.
The consultant shall incorporate feedback and recommendations from the committee's meeting described in subsection (3)(d) of this section. The consultant shall distribute his or her draft report to committee members for final feedback to be received by the consultant no later than December 1, 2019.
On or before January 1, 2020, the committee shall submit the written report of itsfindings, recommendations, and summaries of the committee's discussions and diverse opinions regarding the findings and recommendations contained in the final report to the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate, or any successor committees.
This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2021.
Source: L. 2019: Entire section added, (HB 19-1110), ch. 412, p. 3624, § 1, effective June 3. L. 2020: (2)(b)(VI) and (2)(b)(IX) amended, (HB 20-1402), ch. 216, p. 1049, § 37, effective June 30.