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From the ECS State Policy Database 2006 State Policies / Activities

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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 2006. 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 Business Involvement Career/Technical Education Career/Technical Education--Career Academies/Apprenticeship Cheating Choice of Schools--Charter Schools 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 Counseling/Guidance Curriculum Curriculum--Alignment Curriculum--Arts Education Curriculum--Core Curriculum Curriculum--Drivers Education Curriculum--Environmental Education Curriculum--Family Living Education Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed. Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language Curriculum--Geography Education Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education Curriculum--International Education Curriculum--Language Arts Curriculum--Language Arts--Writing/Spelling Curriculum--Mathematics Curriculum--Physical Education Curriculum--Science Curriculum--Sex Education Curriculum--Social Studies/History Data-Driven Improvement Demographics--Enrollments Economic/Workforce Development Education Research Equity Federal Finance Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost Finance--Bonds Finance--District Finance--Equity Finance--Facilities Finance--Federal Finance--Funding Formulas Finance--Lotteries Finance--Performance Funding Finance--Private Giving 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--Site-Based Management Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies Health Health--Child Abuse Health--Mental Health Health--Nutrition Health--School Based Clinics or School Nurses Health--Suicide Prevention Health--Teen Pregnancy 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 MI Signed into law 12/2006 P-12 Personal High School Curriculum for Students S.B. 1427 Makes technical changes to requirements for high school graduation; provides that a parent may request a personal curriculum that modifies student standard requirements; amends provisions regarding a school psychologist; provides for an emancipated minor; prov... More... OH Signed into law 12/2006 P-12 Postsec. Admissions and Remediation S.B. 311 -- Sec. 3345.06 Beginning with the 2014-2015 academic year, each state university listed in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code, except for Central state university, Shawnee state university, and Youngstown state university, is to permit a resident of this state who entered ... More... OH Signed into law 12/2006 P-12 Honors Diploma S.B. 311 - Sec. 3313.61 One provision prohibits an honors diploma being granted to a student who is subject to the Ohio core curriculum but elections a lesser curriculum option.http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=126_SB_311... More... OH Signed into law 12/2006 P-12 Competency-Based Credits S.B. 311-- Sec. 3313.603 (J) Directs the state board of education, in consultation with the Ohio board of regents and the partnership for continued learning, to adopt a statewide plan implementing methods for students to earn units of high school credit based on a demonstration of subject... More... OH Signed into law 12/2006 P-12 Alternatives for Students Not Completing the Ohio Core S.B. 311-- 3313.603(D) Provides that a student who enters grade 9 in the 2010-2011 through 2013-2014 school years may graduate from high school even though the student has not completed the Ohio core curriculum defined in section 3313.603(C) (the Ohio core curriculum will be the sta... More... OH Signed into law 12/2006 P-12 Students in Dropout Prevention and Recovery Program S.B. 311-- Sec. 3313.603(F) Provides that a student in a dropout prevention and recovery program may graduate from high school by completing a competency-based instructional program administered by the dropout prevention and recovery program instead of the Ohio core curriculum. The progr... More... OH Signed into law 12/2006 P-12 Ohio Core Graduation Requirements S.B. 311-- Sec. 3313.603(A), (B), (C) Part 1, (K) adn (L) Increases high school graduation requirements for students entering grade 9 during the 2010-2011 school year (Class of 2014). Increases math units from 3 to 4; requires one unit of Algebra II or its equivalent. Existing 3-unit requirement in science calls for ... More... OH Signed into law 12/2006 P-12 S.B. 311 -- Sec. 3313.6014 S.B. 311 Requires local boards to adopt procedures for notifying each high school student's parent of the requirements of the Ohio core curriculum (high school graduation requirements effective with the Class of 2011) and that a consequence of not completing the curric... More... OR Adopted 12/2006 P-12 Graduation Requirements OAR 581-022-1130 Increases the diploma requirements for mathematics from 2 credits to 3 credits and English from 3 credits to 4 credits. http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/0107_Bulletin/0107_ch581_bulletin.html (bottom of page)... More... MD Adopted 11/2006 P-12 American Sign Language as Foreign Language Credit COMAR 13A.03.02.04 Amends rules to the Board of Education. Allows students to use American Sign Language as an alternative to foreign language in fulfilling graduation requirements. MARYLAND 10858 http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/13a/13a.03.02.04.htm... More... TX Adopted 11/2006 P-12 High School Graduation Requirements TX 19 TAC 74.61 through 74.64 Increases the requirements for the Recommended and Distinguished high school curriculum options effective with the Class of 2011. Increases the total number of units required for both these options from 24 to 26. Increases Carnegie unit requirements in both ma... More... WV Adopted 11/2006 P-12 High School Graduation Requirements Title 126, Series 42 Effective for incoming freshmen beginning the 2008-2009 school year, increases high school graduation requirements to include 4 credits of reading and English language arts, 4 credits of mathematics, 4 credits of social studies, and 3 credits of science. The ... More... UT Adopted 09/2006 P-12 Transfer of Credits R277-705-3 Requires public schools to accept credit and grades from schools accredited by Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/bulletin/2006/20060701/28809.htm... More... UT Adopted 09/2006 P-12 Elementary & Secondary School Core Curriculum R277-700 Outlines core curriculum requirements for K-12; increases the state minimum required units of credit for high school graduation in language arts from 3 to 4, and in mathematics and science from 2 to 3 effective for students graduating in the 2010-2011 school y... More... WV Adopted 09/2006 P-12 Program/Curriculum Requirements Title 126, Series 42 Amends rules regarding the pre-K & K-12 program or curriculum requirements; reduces the amount of required teaching time for English Language Arts and Reading in middle school; changes pathway options to high school graduation from 3 to 2; requires a minimum n... More... CA Signed into law 08/2006 P-12 Credit Transfers from Dept. of Defense Schools A.B. 2102 Requires the State Board of Education to establish a liaison with the U.S. Department of Defense and school districts to examine course credit transfer issues and establish guidelines for course credit transfer, and to help integrate military dependents into n... More... DE Adopted 08/2006 P-12 High School Graduation Requirements DE 14 DAC 505 Effective with the Class of 2011, increases the number of units of math for high school graduation from 3 to 4, and specifies that those units be completed in geometry, Algebra I and Algebra II. Eliminates unit requirement in computer literacy; directs compute... More... UT Adopted 08/2006 P-12 High School Graduation Requirements R277-700-6 Amends graduation requirements effective with the Class of 2011. Increases required English units from 3 to 4; increases required math and science units from 2 to 3. Increases minimum number of units for high school graduation to 24. Starting page 6 of 9: http... More... TX Adopted 07/2006 P-12 Foreign Language Courses and Tech Prep Progam 19 TAC 2.74.D.74.43, .44 Allows for students who are at higher proficiency levels to meet the graduation requirements by taking higher level language courses. Clarifies that Tech prep is a program of study, not a course. TEXAS 99898... More... VA Rule Adoption 07/2006 P-12 Standards For Accrediting Public Schools 8 VAC 20-131-10 thru -320 non seq. Amends regulations establishing standards for accrediting public schools in Virginia. The amendments include additional options for students to meet the requirements for graduation; change the methodology for calculating accreditation ratings; create greater ... More... IA Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 High School S.B. 2272 - Section 1-4 Directs school districts and nonpublic accredited schools to report graduation rates using the definition of graduation rate specified by the National Governors Association (NGA). Also directs districts and accredited nonpublic schools to report the following:... More... IA Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Graduation Requirements H.B. 2792 - Section 33 and 50 Directs the department of education to use funds appropriated for graduation requirements under division II of the bill to assist districts with the implementation of graduation requirements established pursuant to section 256.7, subsection 26, as amended by 2... More... IA Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Plan for Completing Core Curriculum S.B. 2272 - Section 13 Requires each high school student's plan for completing the core curriculum to include career options and to identify the coursework needed in grades nine through twelve to support the student's postsecondary education and career options. Provides that if the... More... IL Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Financial Literacy S.B. 2191 Requires the state board to develop curricula, materials, and guidelines for school boards to use in implementing a program of instruction on financial literacy within current courses offered in public high schools. Creates the Financial Literacy Fund as a spe... More... AL Rule Adoption 05/2006 P-12 Computer Applications and Electives AAC 290-3-1-.02 (8)(h)1,2 Establishes rules providing consistency with the Alabama High School Diploma option format and alignment of the required one-half credit of Computer Applications, which will allow the student to choose an additional one-half credit elective. Defines the three ... More... FL Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 Florida Secondary School Redesign Act H.B. 7087 - Section 19 Defines secondary schools as those serving grades 6-12. Specifies that the following guiding principles must be used in the annual preparation of each secondary school's improvement plan: (a) Struggling students, especially those in failing schools, need th... More... FL Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 High School Graduation Requirements H.B. 7087 - Section 23 (1) and (2) Amends high school graduation requirements effective for the Class of 2011. Adds "reading for information" as area of major concentration in 4 units of English required. Increases math requirement from 3 to 4 units and encourages districts to set specific go... More... FL Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 High School Graduation Requirements for Students with Disabilities H.B. 7087 - Section 23 (3) - (8) Requires local boards to modify basic courses, as necessary, to to assure exceptional students the opportunity to meet the graduation requirements for a standard diploma, using one of the following strategies: 1. Assignment of the exceptional student to an exc... More... FL Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 Accelerated High School Graduation Options H.B. 7087 - Section 24 Amends requirements for 3-year diplomas effective with the Class of 2010. Eliminates honors classes and classes weighted by the district for class ranking purposes (that do not fall under any of the other allowed categories) from options from which students m... More... IN Emergency Rule Adoption 05/2006 P-12 Academic Honors Diploma 511 IAC 6-7-6.5 Clarifies that a student who as earned an international baccalaureate degree is eligible to receive an academic honors diploma. http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/xml/old-ir/Vol29/10Jul/06E511060163.pdf... More... MN Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 Academic Standards and Graduation Requirements S.B. 2994 Requires the commissioner of education to revise and align the state's academic standards and high school graduation requirements in various years. Certain requirements for each subject area specified. The commissioner must revise and appropriately embed tech... More... NY Adopted 05/2006 P-12 State Graduation and Diploma Requirements for Mathematics and Science Title 8 NYCRR section 100.5 Amends requirements for Regents or local high school and Regents diploma with avanced designation. Regents or local high school diploma:  Three units of credit of mathematics more advanced than 8th grade level and that meet commencement-level learning standar... More... OK Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 High School Graduation Requirements S.B. 1792 - Section 2 Shifts 2005 changes in high school graduation requirements from section 11-111 to 11-103.6 of education code. Defines the graduation requirements effective for the Class of 2010 as the "college preparatory/work ready" curriculum. Modifies 3 units social stud... More... IA Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Iowa Studies S.B. 2320 Requires the department of cultural affairs to develop an Iowa studies professional development plan that includes professional development materials and training measures to provide teachers in the state with effective ways to infuse Iowa studies into their c... More... IL Adopted 04/2006 P-12 High School Graduation Requirements 23 IAC 1.440 Changes reference to "career education" to "career and technical education." Clarifies differences between courses high schools must offer, courses students must take, and courses students must pass to graduate. Clarifies that all high school students must t... More... MI Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 High School Graduation Requirements S.B. 1124 Provides for required high school curriculum; provides that beginning with pupils schedule to graduate from high school in 2010, a student may not receive a high school diploma unless the student completes 4 units of math, including algebra I, geometry and alg... More... MI Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 New High School Graduation Requirements H.B. 5606 Establishes statewide high school graduation requirements effective with the class of 2010, including 4 units English; 3 units science, including biology and either chemistry or physics. Strongly encourages students to complete a fourth credit in science, such... More... MS Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Alternative Diploma H.B. 214 Directs the department of education to design and implement an alternative high school diploma for students who are interested in direct entry into the workforce immediately following high school graduation. http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2006/html... More... IN Signed into law 03/2006 P-12 U.S. Savings Bonds for Students Earning Academic Honors Diploma S.B. 231 Allows districts that before January 1, 2006 purchased U.S. savings bonds for graduates who earned an academic honors diploma to continue to do so for students graduating in 2006 and 2007. http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2006/SE/SE0231.1.html... More... IN Signed into law 03/2006 P-12 Proficiency-Based Credit and Early Graduation S.B. 310 Allows a student to demonstrate proficiency and receive credits in a subject area required for high school graduation or for an academic honors diploma in a manner other than by classroom work. Allows credit to be awarded through any of the following methods:... More... IN Signed into law 03/2006 P-12 Academic Honors Diploma H.B. 1347 Section 17 Requires to state board to adopt rules to amend the academic honors course requirement rules to allow for a high school student who has earned an international baccalaureate degree to be eligible to receive an academic honors diploma. Allows the board to adopt... More... LA Adopted 03/2006 P-12 Statewide Assessment Standards and Practices LAC 28:CXI.312, 316 and 1351 Permits seniors who wish to retest for diploma endorsements to test during the fall retest. Provides guidelines and rules about administrative error that may occur during statewide assessment. Provides guidelines and rules regarding cell phones and other elect... More... WA Signed into law/partial veto 03/2006 P-12 Career/Technical Graduation Option H.B. 2973 Declares an intent to create a rigorous, high quality career and technical high school graduation option that assures students meet state standards in fundamental academic content areas, but also reflects nationally recognized standards for the knowledge and s... More... KY Adopted 02/2006 P-12 High School Graduation Requirements 704 KAR 3:305 (section 2 and 4) Section 2: Effective with the Class of 2012: Requires 3rd unit of math to be completed in Algebra II and bars student from receiving math credit for prealgebra course (prealgebra may be applied toward elective credit). Requires 3 units of science to be lab-ba... More... Instructional Approaches Instructional Approaches--Constructivism Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling Instructional Approaches--Problem Based Learning Instructional Approaches--Single-Sex Education Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools International Baccalaureate 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--Recruitment and Retention Mentoring/Tutoring Middle School Minority/Diversity Issues Minority/Diversity Issues--American Indian / Alaska Native / Native Hawaiian Minority/Diversity Issues--Hispanic 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--Reauthorization Issues/Waivers No Child Left Behind--Report Cards No Child Left Behind--School Support No Child Left Behind--Special Populations 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 Finance P-3 Governance 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 Parent/Family--Research 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 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Creationism (Evolution) Remediation (K-12) 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--Disaster/Emergency Preparedness 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 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