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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 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 NE Approved by voters 12/2006 P-12 Constitutional Amendment: Early Childhood Education Endowment Fund L.B. 1006 A constitutional amendment to permit use of funds dedicated to the common schools for early childhood educational purposes. If adopted, requires the creation of an early childhood education endowment fund for the purpose of supporting early childhood education... More... NJ Signed into law 12/2006 P-12 Early Intervention Week S.J.R. 14; A.J.R 113 Designates third week of May New Jersey Early Intervention Week to focus public attention on the needs of young children, to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs, and to plan how we can better meet the needs of all young ch... More... DE Adopted 10/2006 P-12 Early Childhood Special Education Teachers 14 DAC 1570 Clarifies rules regarding Standard Certificate Early Childhood Teacher Special Education. Requires a test of knowledge in addition to academic preparation for the issuance of a Standard Certificate. DELAWARE 1881 http://www.state.de.us/research/AdminCode/title... More... CA Vetoed 09/2006 P-12 Early Childhood Teacher Certification A.B. 2802 Requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to establish an optional early childhood education credential for kindergarten and grades 1 and 2 that is to be built into the multiple subject teaching credential. Provides that it is equivalent to the multiple... More... KS Adopted 08/2006 P-12 Teacher Licensure Regulations K.A.R. 91-1-201, -202, and -205 Changes licensure regulations for teachers of early childhood education. ... More... AZ On 11/07/2006 Ballot. 07/2006 P-12 Early Childhood Funding Ballot Initiative V. 18; (NEW BILL) (PROPOSITION I-16-2006) Increases funding for early childhood development and health programs; provides that local councils would distribute the majority of the funding, with oversight by a statewide board; dedicates funding from an increase on the sales price... More... AZ Approved by voters 07/2006 P-12 Early Childhood Development and Health Initiative V. 18 (Prop. 203) (PROPOSITION 203 I-16-2006) Increases funding for early childhood development and health programs. Purpose is to improve quality and increase access to early childhood development activities. Also will increase access to preventative health care programs and ... More... IL Signed into law 07/2006 P-12 Early Childhood Teacher Certification S.B. 2202 Amends the Teacher Certification Article of the School Code. Relates to an early childhood certificate. Provides that the student teaching portion of the practical experience may be satisfied through placement in any of grades pre-kindergarten through 3, provi... More... IL Signed into law 07/2006 P-12 PreK for At-Risk Children S.B. 1497 Relates to grants for a preschool educational program administered by the state board July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008. Provides that appropriated funds shall be distributed to achieve a goal of preschool for all children whose families choose to participate... More... MS Adopted 07/2006 P-12 Child Care Quality Rating System Uncodified Establishes rules for a pilot project to improve the quality of child care services. Sets up a quality rating system for licensed child careproviders. MISSISSIPPI 10417... More... CA Rejected by Voters. 06/2006 P-12 Voluntary Public Preschool Program V. 3 (Prop. 82) Proposes an amendment to the California Constitution to establish a right to voluntary public preschool for all four-year old children, administered by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and county school superintendents, funded by a tax on individ... More... CT Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Early Childhood Workforce Expansion S.B. 455 Concerns the early childhood education workforce; expands the number of early childhood education teachers through development of an accelerated, alternate route program to initial teacher certification with an endorsement in early childhood education; provide... More... IA Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Community Empowerment Initiative H.B. 2769 Increases membership on the community empowerment state board. Requires family support services in the community empowerment initiative to include home visitation. Creates a community empowerment gifts and grants account in the Iowa empowerment fund. Makes an... More... IL Emergency Rule Adoption 06/2006 P-12 Early Childhood Block Grant 23 IAC 235.10, .60, .70, .100, .200, .300, .400, .500 Establishes emergency rules regarding the Preschool for All Children program; provides educational services to all 3 to 5 year old children whose families choose to participate. 325-338 of 591: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/index/register/regis... More... LA Adopted 06/2006 P-12 State Early Childhood Programs H.R. 132 Requests the governor and commissioner of administration to include in the FY 2007-2008 executive budget additional funding for adequately staffing, equipping, and evaluating state early childhood education programs. http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/strea... More... NH Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Quality Early Learning Opportunity H.B. 1626 Directs the commissioner to establish a quality early learning opportunity initiative to be made available on a first-come, first-served basis to families whose income is between 190% and 250% of the federal poverty guidelines, and whose children are enrolled ... More... OK Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Early Childhood Pilot Program S.B. 3B Directs the state board to establish a pilot early childhood program to consist of private donations and state funds that will serve at-risk children in at least one urban area and one rural area of this state selected by the board. Directs the board to solic... More... VT Issued 06/2006 P-12 Building Bright Futures Council E.O. 03-06 Establishes the Building Bright Futures Council, a public-private partnership, to support the creation of an integrated system of early childhood care, health and education that will assure equitable access for all children and families seeking services, maxim... More... WA Rule Adoption 06/2006 P-12 Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program WAC 365-170 Revises rules regarding the state's Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, including the process for allocating or awarding funds, use of funds, comprehensive service delivery and nondiscrimination requirements, eligibility for services, and staff q... More... WV Emergency Rule Adoption 06/2006 P-12 Family Child Care Home Registration Title 78, Series 20 Amends rules regarding informal and relative family child care home registration requirements. http://www.wvsos.com/adlaw/proposed/78-20er.pdf... More... CO Vetoed 05/2006 P-12 Statewide Early Childhood Councils H.B. 1397 Concerns the creation and duties of a statewide system of integrated early childhood councils. Repeals the pilot program for community consolidated child care services; incorporates the pilot program into a new integrated statewide system of early childhood co... More... KS Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 Bilingual Weighting Funds S.B. 549 - Section 13, 16, 27 Authorizes districts to spend funds received from the bilingual weighting to pay the cost of providing at-risk and preschool-aged at-risk education programs and services. Authorizes districts to spend funds received from the preschool-aged at-risk weighting to... More... MO Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 Standards for Early Childhood Education H.B. 1511 Requires the department of Education to develop, by June 30, 2007, standards for early childhood education which will be applicable to public preschool programs that receive federal Title I funds or Missouri preschool project funds. The standards must include ... More... VT Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 05/2006 P-12 Prekindergarten Education Study Committee S.B. 314 Creates a prekindergarten education study committee. Directs the committee to gather the following information: (1)  How many private and public or publicly funded prekindergarten education services currently exist in Vermont. (2)  What kinds of services and ... More... ID Issued 04/2006 P-12 Early Childhood Coordinating Council Executive Order 2006-12 Establishes the Early Childhood Coordinating Council (as a follow-up to votes by the Interagency Coordinating Council and the Early Care and Learning Cross Systems Task Force to merge) to develop a statewide plan to meet goals related to early care and learni... More... ID Issued 04/2006 P-12 Executive Office for Families and Children Executive Order 2006-09 Establishes the Executive Office for Families and Children. Provides that the duties of the council include: A. Coordinating all boards, councils, commissions, and initiatives as recommended by the Governor, within the Executive Office of the Governor with ... More... LA Adopted 04/2006 P-12 Early Childhood PK-3 Certification LAC 28:I.903 Adds the Early Childhood PK-3 certification through the Practitioner Teacher Program alternate program structure. http://www.doa.state.la.us/osr/reg/0604/0604RUL.pdf (starting page 7 of 106)... More... MD Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Child Care Quality Incentive Grant Program H.B. 601 Requires the Child Care Quality Incentive Grant Program to be administered by the State Department of Education; authorizes the Department to contract with specified agencies to administer the grant program; authorizes the State Superintendent to delegate auth... More... MD Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Infants and Toddlers Program H.B. 133; S.B. 367 Repeals a limitation that grants provided under the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program are subject to the availability of funds in the State budget; provides that the program shall include the early intervention services provided or supervised by the Depart... More... MI Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Early Intervention S.B. 329 Establishes a grant program for early intervention programs and allows certain funds for small class size to be used for early intervention programs. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/pdf/2006-PA-0120.pdf... More... MI Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Early Intervention Programs S.B. 328 Allows settlement money from the Durant, et al. v State of to be allocated to early intervention programs. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/pdf/2006-PA-0119.pdf... More... MI Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Early Interventions S.B. 330 Allows eligible school districts and public school academies currently receiving at-risk funding to use those funds to implement and operate Early Intervening Programs. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/pdf/2006-PA-0121.pdf... More... NE Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Early Childhood L.B. 1256 From the fiscal note: LB 1256 establishes an endowment fund to provide early childhood education grants to programs for at-risk children from birth to age three. Upon the effective date of an endowment agreement, administration of the Early Childhood Education... More... OH Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Ohio Family and Children First Cabinet Council Advisory Board H.B. 289 Establishes new duties for the Ohio Family and Children First Cabinet Council and county family and children first councils. Creates the Ohio Family and Children First Cabinet Council Advisory Board. http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=126_HB_289... More... KY Adopted 03/2006 P-12 Early Childhood Development Scholarship Program 11 KAR 16:001 and 16:010 Establishes definitions and rules regarding the applicant selection process for the Early Childhood Development Scholarship Program. 11 KAR 16:001: http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/011/016/001.htm 11 KAR 16:010: http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/011/016/010.htm... More... MD Issued 03/2006 P-12 Amends Membership of the Advisory Council for Children 01.01.2006-03 (Executive Order) Amends amend Executive Order 01.01.2005.34, which established the Advisory Council for Children; the Governor's Office for Children as a separate agency within the Executive Department to provide a coordinated, comprehensive, interagency approach to the develo... More... MS Signed into law 03/2006 P-12 Education Reform Act of 2006 S.B. 2602 Enacts the Education Reform Act of 2006. Section 16 directs the department of human services to establish a child care quality step program by requiring the office for children and youth to develop and implement a voluntary pilot rating system (QRS) for improv... More... UT Signed into law 03/2006 P-12 Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Timing H.B. 226 This bill modifies the recommended time to provide the assessment of reading and numeric skills given to potential kindergarten students. The assessment should take place in the spring prior to the kindergarten year, but no later than June 15th prior to the sc... More... WA Signed into law 03/2006 P-12 Birth to 3 Early Intervention Services H.B. 1107 Finds an urgent and substantial need to enhance the development of all infants and toddlers with disabilities in Washington in order to minimize developmental delays and to maximize individual potential for learning and functioning. Requires that, by September... More... WA Signed into law 03/2006 P-12 Department of Early Learning H.B. 2964 Finds that the early years of a child's life are critical to the child's healthy brain development and that the quality of caregiving during the early years can significantly impact the child's intellectual, social, and emotional development. Declares that the... More... CT Issued 02/2006 P-12 Governor's Early Childhood Research and Policy Council EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 13 Establishes the Governor's Early Childhood Research and Policy Council and defines membership and duties. The Council will: (1) Advise the Early Childhood Education Cabinet on research findings, policy solutions and strategic financing opportunities related to... More... IL Adopted 02/2006 P-12 Early Childhood Block Grant 23 IAC 235.10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, Appendix A, B Establishes rules regarding the Early Childhood Block Grant program. Allows entities other than school districts to apply for preschool and parental training programs; eliminates grants to fund preschool education programs to conduct research into effective p... More... MD Issued 02/2006 P-12 Maryland Child Care Subsidy Coordinating Council EXECUTIVE ORDER 01.01.2006.02 Establishes the Maryland Child Care Subsidy Coordinating Council, defines membership and duties. Purposes of council includes increasing access by low-income families receiving child care subsidies to quality early care and education programs, thereby increasi... More... SC Signed into law 02/2006 P-12 First Steps to School Readiness Act S.B. 947 (Joint Resolution) Provides that the First Steps to School Readiness Act is reauthorized until July 1, 2013; provides for early childhood development. http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/prever/947_20060126.htm... More... OK Issued 01/2006 P-12 Interagency Coordinating Council for Early Childhood Intervention Executive Order 2006-4 In order to take advantage of the opportunity to receive federal funds provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Act, creates the Interagency Coordinating Council for Early Childhood Intervention, to exist within the Oklahahoma Commission on Children an... More... VA Issued 01/2006 P-12 Establishing the Strong Start Council Executive Order 7 Establishes the Strong Start Council -- a 17 member body to be appointed by the governor. Powers are duties include: 1. Develop statewide goals and best practices for expanding opportunities for 4 year olds to access quality pre-kindergarten programs, and enc... More... 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 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--Foster Youth Postsecondary Students--Military Postsecondary Students--Minority Postsecondary Success--Completion Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation Private Schools Promising Practices Promotion/Retention Reading/Literacy Religion Religion--Scientific 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 Structure/Operations--Shared Services School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation Service-Learning Special Education Special Education--Federal Law/Regulations Special Education--Finance Special Education--Inclusion (Mainstreaming) Special Education--Placement Special Education--Transition Special Populations--Corrections Education Special Populations--Foster Care Special Populations--Gifted and Talented Special Populations--Homeless Education Standards State Longitudinal Data Systems State Policymaking State Policymaking--Ballot Questions State Policymaking--Politics State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions STEM Student Achievement Student Achievement--Closing the Achievement Gap Students Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities Students--Records/Rights Teaching Quality Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Alternative Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Assignment 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--Teacher Rights Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining Technology Technology--Computer Skills Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware Technology--Equitable Access Technology--Funding Issues Technology--Internet Safety Technology--Teacher/Faculty Training Textbooks and Open Source