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
+ 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
OHto governor 12/2005P-12Requires the state board to adopt standards that require the curricula of teacher preparation programs to be aligned with the state academic content standards, the state board's minimum standards for schools, and the value-added progress dimension developed by the Department of Education and to extend the deadline for the Department and the Educator Standards Board to propose a career ladder program for teachers.
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=126_HB_107_PS

Title: H.B. 107
Source: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us

TXIssued 11/2005P-12Requires the Commissioner of Education to establish a performance-based pay grant program for educators. The program is to use federal funds and other funds made available for this purpose and is to award grants to campuses of no less than $100,000 for rewarding educators for improving student performance. At least 75% of any grant awarded must be dedicated to compensation for classroom teachers. Grants are to be awarded based on growth in campus-level student performance according to criteria established by the Commissioner. School districts must apply to the Texas Education Agency to receive awards under this program. The state department must set aside from funds made available for this purpose no less than $10,000,000 for grants to be awarded based on incremental growth in student performance at campuses with high numbers of economically disadvantaged students.
http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/exorders/rp51
Title: Executive Order RP51
Source: http://www.governor.state.tx.us

AZSigned into law 05/2005P-12Establishes the Arizona Performance Based Compensation System Task Force within the state board of education. By Februrary 2006 and annually thereafter, requires the superintendent of public instruction to submit specified school district data to the task force, which must conduct annual evaluation of one quarter of districts' performance based compensation systems based on the submitted data. Requires the annual evaluation to (1) Assess the relationship between components of individual district performance based compensation systems and the improvement in:
(a) Individual student progress and achievement;
(b) Achievement of school district and school site goals;
(c) Teacher professional development;
(d) Teacher job satisfaction;
(e) Parent rating of the quality of education at the school and district levels
and (2) Provide a report to the districts evaluated each year assessing the effectiveness of each district's performance based compensation system, including any recommendations for improvement. Requires the task force to annually submit its findings to the speaker of the house and president of the senate.

On or before June 30, 2010, requires the task force to (1) provide recommendations to the state board on the implementation, operation and monitoring of performance based compensation systems and career ladder programs in the state, and (2) develop written recommendations based on elements of districts' performance based compensation systems.

Requires all local boards in the state to adopt a performance based compensation system, and to vote on a performance based compensation system that includes the following elements:
(1) School district and school performance;
(2) Measures of academic progress toward the state board-adopted academic standards;
(3) Other measures of academic progress;
(4) Dropout or graduation rates;
(5) Attendance rates;
(6) Ratings of school quality by parents;
(7) Ratings of school quality by students;
(8) Imput of teachers and administrators;
(9) Approval of the performance based compensation system by an affirmative vote of at least 70% of the teachers eligible to participate in the performance based compensation system.
(10) An appeals process for teachers who have been denied performance based compensation.
(11) Regular evaluation for effectiveness.

Requires a performance based compensation system to include teacher professional development programs aligned with the elements of the performance based compensation system. Permits a local board to modify the aforementioned 11 elements and consider additional elements when adopting a performance based compensation system. Until December 31, 2009, requires each district to develop an assessment plan for its performance based compensation system and annually submit the plan to the department of education, along with a copy of the district-adopted performance based compensation system.

http://www.azleg.state.az.us/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=1074
Title: S.B. 1074
Source: www.azleg.state.az.us

ARSigned into law 04/2005P-12Renames the Teacher and Administrator Enhancement and Retraining Grant Program the Teacher Opportunity Program. Eliminates requirement that program applicant be a citizen of the United States or permanent resident alien. Establishes the Dual Certification Incentive Program to encourage classroom teachers currently employed in the state to return to college to obtain certification in one or more additional subject areas. Specifies conditions for a teacher to be eligible to receive program funding. Allows each district to fund up to four scholarships for teachers with at least three years of experience as a licensed classroom teacher in a public school in the state. States that any classroom teacher awarded a scholarship under the Dual Certification Incentive Program may be allowed administrative leave with pay as provided under the district's certified personnel policies as is necessary for the classroom teacher to attend college classes, travel to or from the college, and take state-mandated tests as may be necessary to obtain the additional certification. Sets forth circumstances under which a teacher having participated in the program must repay the amount of the scholarships received under the Dual Certification Incentive Program. Authorizes the state board of education to suspend the Arkansas classroom teacher's license of any individual who fails, when required to do so, to repay moneys contributed for participation in the Dual Certification Incentive Program.

States that upon earning dual certification under the Dual Certification Incentive Program, the dually certified classroom teacher must be paid a bonus of $3,000 each school year that the teacher: (A) Is employed full-time as a classroom teacher in an Arkansas public school district; and (B) Is teaching no fewer than two class periods in each of the different subject matter areas for which he or she received certification. Specifies circumstances under which an individual must lose eligibility for the annual incentive bonus.

States that the first priority for the award of funds under the Teacher Opportunity Program is the award of scholarships under the Dual Certification Incentive Program, and that any funds remaining after all awards are made under the Dual Certification Incentive Program may be made for specified other needs. Requires the department of higher education to determine priorities, based on the needs of the state, for awarding grants in the event there are more applicants than funds available.

http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1982.pdf
Title: H.B. 1982
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us

MD(S) THIRD READING PASSED (46-0) 04/2005Postsec.Authorizing an area of critical shortage to include speech language pathology or audiology services under the Sharon Christa McAuliffe Memorial Teacher Education Award program in the Maryland Higher Education Commission; defining terms; etc

http://mlis.state.md.us/2005rs/billfile/hb1235.htm
Title: H.B. 1235
Source: StateNet

DERule Adoption 01/2005P-12Amends regulation relating to knowledge, skills and responsibility based supplements for educators. Clarifies the effective date of salary supplements paid to educators who complete professional development clusters.
Title: 14 DAC 1501, 1.0 - 12.0
Source: StateNet

+ 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