ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2005 State Policies / Activities

Education Commission of the States • 700 Broadway, Suite 810 • Denver, CO 80203-3442 • 303.299.3600 • fax 303.296.8332 • www.ecs.org

The following summary includes policies enacted in 2005. This database is made possible by your state's fiscal support of the Education Commission of the States (ECS). Most entries are legislative, although rules/regulations and executive orders that make substantive changes are included. Every effort is made to collect the latest available version of policies; in some instances, recent changes might not be reflected. For expediency purposes minimal attention has been paid to style (capitalization, punctuation) and format. To view the documents, click on the blue triangle next to the topic of interest. To view all, press the button located at the top labeled "Expand All."

Please cite use of the database as: Education Commission of the States (ECS) State Policy Database, retrieved [date].

State Status/Date Level Summary
+ Accountability
+ Accountability--Accreditation
+ Accountability--Measures/Indicators
+ Accountability--Reporting Results
+ Accountability--Rewards
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--No Pass No Drive
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--Takeovers
+ Accountability--School Improvement
+ Adult Basic Education
+ Assessment
+ Assessment--Accommodations
+ Assessment--Computer Based
+ Assessment--End-of-Course
+ Assessment--Formative/Interim
+ Assessment--High Stakes/Competency
+ Assessment--Value Added
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol
+ Attendance
+ Attendance--Compulsory
+ Attendance--Statutory Ages (Upper and Lower)
+ Attendance--Truancy
+ Background Checks
+ Bilingual/ESL
+ Career/Technical Education
+ Career/Technical Education--Career Academies/Apprenticeship
+ Cheating
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Charter Districts
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Closings
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Cyber Charters
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Finance
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Research
+ Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment
+ Choice of Schools--Magnet or Specialized Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Tax Credits
+ Choice of Schools--Vouchers
+ Civic Education
+ Civic Education--Character Education
+ Civic Education--Pledge of Allegiance
+ Class Size
+ Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Arts Education
+ Curriculum--Censorship
+ Curriculum--Core Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Drivers Education
+ Curriculum--Environmental Education
+ Curriculum--Family Living Education
+ Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed.
+ Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language
+ Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education
+ Curriculum--International Education
+ Curriculum--Language Arts
+ Curriculum--Mathematics
+ Curriculum--Multicultural
+ Curriculum--Physical Education
+ Curriculum--Science
+ Curriculum--Sex Education
+ Curriculum--Social Studies/History
+ Curriculum--Speech Education
+ Data-Driven Improvement
+ Demographics--Enrollments
+ Desegregation
+ Economic/Workforce Development
+ Education Research
+ Equity
+ Finance
+ Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost
+ Finance--District
+ Finance--Equity
+ Finance--Facilities
+ Finance--Federal
+ Finance--Funding Formulas
+ Finance--Litigation
+ Finance--Local Foundations/Funds
+ Finance--Lotteries
+ Finance--Resource Efficiency
+ Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures
+ Finance--Student Fees
+ Finance--Taxes/Revenues
+ Finance--Taxes/Revenues--Alternative Revenues
+ Governance
+ Governance--Deregulation/Waivers/Home Rule
+ Governance--Ethics/Conflict of Interest
+ Governance--School Boards
+ Governance--School Boards--Training
+ Governance--Site-Based Management
+ Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies
+ Health
+ Health--Child Abuse
+ Health--Nutrition
+ Health--School Based Clinics or School Nurses
+ Health--Suicide Prevention
+ High School
+ High School--Advanced Placement
+ High School--College Readiness
+ High School--Dropout Rates/Graduation Rates
+ High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment
+ High School--Early Colleges/Middle Colleges
+ High School--Exit Exams
+ High School--GED (General Education Development)
+ High School--Graduation Requirements
+ High School--International Baccalaureate
+ Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ Instructional Approaches--Single-Sex Education
+ Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
+ Leadership
+ Leadership--District Superintendent
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Certification and Licensure
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Compensation and Diversified Pay
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Evaluation and Effectiveness
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Preparation
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Tenure
+ Middle School
+ Minority/Diversity Issues
+ Minority/Diversity Issues--American Indian / Alaska Native / Native Hawaiian
+ No Child Left Behind
+ No Child Left Behind--Adequate Yearly Progress
+ No Child Left Behind--Assessment
+ No Child Left Behind--Choice/Transfer
+ No Child Left Behind--Consequences for Schools
+ No Child Left Behind--Finance
+ No Child Left Behind--Parent Involvement
+ No Child Left Behind--Reauthorization Issues/Waivers
+ No Child Left Behind--Report Cards
+ No Child Left Behind--School Support
+ No Child Left Behind--Supplemental Services
+ Online Learning--Digital/Blended Learning
+ Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses
+ P-16 or P-20
+ P-3
+ P-3 Child Care
+ P-3 Early Intervention (0-3)
+ P-3 Ensuring Quality
+ P-3 Evaluation/Economic Benefits
+ P-3 Family Involvement
+ P-3 Finance
+ P-3 Grades 1-3
+ P-3 Kindergarten--Full-Day Kindergarten
+ P-3 Preschool
+ P-3 Teaching Quality/Professional Development
+ Parent/Family
+ Parent/Family--Parent Rights
+ Partnerships--University/School
+ Postsecondary
+ Postsecondary Accountability
+ Postsecondary Accountability--Accreditation
+ Postsecondary Accountability--Diploma Mills
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Undocumented Immigrants
+ Postsecondary Faculty
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Compensation
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Intellectual Property
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Teaching Assistants
+ Postsecondary Finance
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures
+ Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges
+ Postsecondary Institutions--For-Profit/Proprietary
+ Postsecondary Institutions--Private/Independent
+ Postsecondary Online Instruction
+ Postsecondary Participation--Access
+ Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements
+ Postsecondary Participation--Affirmative Action
+ Postsecondary Participation--Outreach
+ Postsecondary Students--Disabled
+ Postsecondary Students--Minority
+ Postsecondary Success--Completion
+ Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation
+ Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation
+ Private Schools
+ Privatization
+ Promotion/Retention
+ Reading/Literacy
+ Religion
+ Religion--Prayer/Meditation
+ Rural
+ Scheduling/School Calendar
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Day/Class Length
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Summer School
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Year
+ School Safety
+ School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution
+ School Safety--Code of Conduct
+ School Safety--Expulsion/Suspension
+ School Safety--No Child Left Behind--Safe Schools
+ School Safety--Sexual Harassment and Assault
+ School Safety--Special Education
+ School Safety--Uniforms/Dress Codes
+ School/District Structure/Operations
+ School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Food Service
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Libraries
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Personnel (Non-Teaching)
+ School/District Structure/Operations--School Size
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Shared Services
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation
+ Service-Learning
+ Special Education
+ Special Education--Federal Law/Regulations
+ Special Education--Finance
+ Special Education--Placement
+ Special Education--Transition
- Special Populations--Corrections Education
ILSigned into law 11/2005P-12Amends various Acts to create the Department of Juvenile Justice from the Juvenile Division of the Department of Corrections. Transfers personnel, books, records, property and appropriations. Transfers the Department of Corrections school district to the Department of Juvenile Justice. Creates a Juvenile Advisory Board. Makes other changes. Provides for an annual salary. Amends provisions regarding security employees, law enforcement officers and retirement provisions. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=094-0696
Title: S.B. 92
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

GAAdopted 10/2005P-12Establishes rules regarding case management consultation for agency-placed transfer students to provide necessary transition services for students who are placed by the Department of Human Resources or the Department of Juvenile Justice in new schools. AGENCY CONTACT: Patricia L. Mills, Department of Education, 2052 Twin Towers East, Atlanta, GA 30334, 404- 656-4689, fax 404-657-8376
http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/doe/legalservices/160-4-8-.17.pdf
Title: GAC 160-4-8-.17
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

ILVetoed 08/2005P-12Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the rules and regulations for the early release of a prisoner on account of good conduct shall also provide that an additional 60 days of good conduct credit shall be awarded to any prisoner who passes the high school level Test of General Educational Development (GED) and receives a GED certificate while the prisoner is incarcerated.

Requires the Department of Corrections to develop and establish a program designed to increase the number of committed persons enrolled in programs to pass the high school level Test of General Educational Development (GED) and receive GED certificates by at least 100% over the 4-year period following the effective date of this amendatory Act. Requires each institution and facility to report annually to the Director of Corrections on the number of committed persons enrolled in GED programs and those who pass the GED and receive GED certificates, and the number of committed persons who are on waiting lists for those educational programs. Effective immediately.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=0326&GAID=8&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=15772&SessionID=50&SpecSess=&Session=&GA=94

Governor's veto message: http://dev.ecs.org/clearinghouse/63/07/6307.doc
Title: S.B. 326
Source: www.ilga.gov

ILSigned into law 07/2005P-12Provides that the rules and regulations for the early release of a prisoner on account of good conduct shall also provide that an additional 60 days of good conduct credit shall be awarded to any prisoner who earns a high school diploma or passes the high school level Test of General Educational Development (GED) and receives a GED certificate while the prisoner is incarcerated. Requries the Department of Corrections to develop and establish a program designed to increase the number of committed persons enrolled in programs to obtain a high school diploma or to pass the high school level Test of General Educational Development (GED) and receive GED certificates by at least 100% over the 4-year period following the effective date of this amendatory Act. Requires each institution and facility to report annually to the Director of Corrections on the number of committed persons enrolled in high school education programs and those who pass the high school level Test of General Educational Development (GED) and receive GED certificates, and the number of committed persons who are on waiting lists for those educational programs. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/94/PDF/094-0128.pdf
Title: H.B. 611
Source: www.ilga.gov

TXSigned into law 06/2005P-12
Community College
Goal is to ensure that programs such as GED and ESL are integrated with an applied vocational context leading to employment. Improves coordination between partner agencies so ex-offenders receive professional certification and licensing along with educational opportunities in an applied vocational context; agencies include the Texas Youth Commission (TYC), Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) which, through Project RIO, share data seamlessly on ex-offenders and their post-release employment status; and the effectiveness of training services is evaluated and reported annually to the governor and the Legislative Budget. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=02837&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 2837
Source: StateNet

ARSigned into law 04/2005P-12Amends the Youth Services Act and the Education law. Requires health care providers to send the division of youth services all medical and health information on a committed juvenile, including individually identifiable health information needed for the division to assume the role of caretaker for the committed juvenile, within 3 days of request. Also requires the committed juvenile's school or current educational
setting to send the education record to the division of youth services within 10 school days of the division's request. Additionally requires the court to send the committed juvenile's youth services center a copy of the commitment order as well as records or information pertaining to the juvenile compiled by the intake officer or juvenile probation officer that must include:
(i) Information on the juvenile's background, history, behavioral tendencies, and family status;
(ii) The reasons for the juvenile's commitment;
(iii) The name of the school in which the juvenile is currently or was last school enrolled;
(iv) The juvenile's offense history;
(v) The juvenile's placement history;
(vi) A copy of all psychological or psychiatric evaluations or examinations performed on the juvenile admitted into evidence or ordered by the court while under the jurisdiction of the court or the supervision of the court staff;
(vii) A comprehensive list of all current medications taken by the juvenile; and
(viii) A comprehensive list of all medical treatment currently being provided to the juvenile.
These records must be delivered to the division of youth services prior to or at the time the juvenile is transported to a youth services center.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1015.pdf
Title: S.B. 1015
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us

ARSigned into law 03/2005P-12Changes Department of Correction School District to Corrections School System. Expands students eligible for system inclusion to those on probation and parole or any type of post prison release or transfer who are not high school graduates, irrespective of age. Creates Corrections School System's chief administrative officer position and clarifies officer's role and authority. Amends language to clarify funding and responsibility of Corrections School System. Extends eligibility to attend Riverside Vocational and Technical School beyond department of corrections inmates to those incarcerated by the Department of Community Correction or to qualified persons supervised by the Department of Community Correction including those on probation and parole or any type of post-prison release or transfer. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb191.pdf
Title: S.B. 191
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us

UTSigned into law 03/2005Community CollegeCreates a restricted account within the General Fund called the Prison Telephone Surcharge Account; deposits money generated from surcharges on pay telephones located at state correctional facilities into the account; specifies the money in the account may be appropriated for prison training and education programs. http://www.le.state.ut.us/~2005/bills/hbillenr/hb0234.pdf
Title: H.B. 234
Source: http://www.le.state.ut.us/

VASigned into law 03/2005P-12Places upon the Department of Correctional Education the primary duty of transferring academic, career and technical education and related achievement information to local school boards when children are returned to the community from the Department of Juvenile Justice's care. http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?051+ful+CHAP0154
Title: H.B. 1789
Source: StateNet

+ Special Populations--Gifted and Talented
+ Special Populations--Homeless Education
+ Standards
+ State Longitudinal Data Systems
+ State Policymaking
+ State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions
+ STEM
+ Student Achievement
+ Student Achievement--Closing the Achievement Gap
+ Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance
+ Student Supports--Mentoring/Tutoring
+ Student Supports--Remediation
+ Students
+ Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities
+ Students--Mobility
+ Students--Records/Rights
+ Teaching Quality
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Alternative
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Natl. Bd. for Prof. Teach. Stds.
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Special Education
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--State Prof. Standards Bds.
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Substitute Teachers
+ Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay
+ Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Pay-for-Performance
+ Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits
+ Teaching Quality--Evaluation and Effectiveness
+ Teaching Quality--Induction Programs and Mentoring
+ Teaching Quality--Paraprofessionals
+ Teaching Quality--Preparation
+ Teaching Quality--Professional Development
+ Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention
+ Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention--At-Risk Schools
+ Teaching Quality--Reduction in Force
+ Teaching Quality--Teacher Attitudes
+ Teaching Quality--Teacher Rights
+ Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract
+ Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining
+ Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining--Strikes
+ Technology
+ Technology--Computer Skills
+ Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware
+ Technology--Equitable Access
+ Technology--Funding Issues
+ Technology--Internet Safety
+ Textbooks and Open Source