ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2006 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 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
+ 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
ALApproved by voters 11/2006P-12Minimum 10 Mills Property Tax
Statewide Amendment Number Two
Proposes an amendment to the state constitution to require at least 10 mills of property tax are levied for every school district in the state.
http://www.sos.state.al.us/downloads/dl3.cfm?trgturl=election/2006/general/statecert-constitutionalamendments-2006-0...

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ALApproved by voters 11/2006P-12Election of Macon County Board of Education
Statewide Amendment Number Three
Proposes an amendment to the state constitution to provide for the election of the Macon County Board of Education from four single-member districts and the county at large, and to provide for staggered six-year terms of office.
http://www.sos.state.al.us/down...

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CORejected by voters 11/2006P-12District Budget Requirements (65%) as Statute
Referendum J
(REFERENDUM J; HB 06-1283) Creates the State Public School Expenditures Accountability Act. If approved, would amend state statutes to require districts to spend at least 65% of their operational expenditures on classroom instruction beginning in the 2007-08 s...

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IDRejected by voters 11/2006P-12Sales Tax and Local Public Schools Investment Fund
Proposition 1
Relates to K-12 public school funding. Adds 1% sales tax rate, revenue stream for this component of K-12 local public school funding; creates the Local Public Schools Investment Fund which must be used for supporting students in the classroom and improving lo...

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IDApproved by voters 11/2006P-12Property Tax Ballot Initiative
Advisory Vote
Submits an advisory vote to the electors regarding whether the state keep the property tax relief adopted in August 2006, reducing property taxes by approximately $260 million, and protecting funding for public schools by keeping the sales tax at 6%. http://ww...

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NVApproved by voters 11/2006P-12Education First Initiative Petition
Ballot Question # 1
Proposes an amendment to the state constitution to require the legislature to fund the operation of the public schools for K-12th grades before any other part of the state budget for the next biennium.
http://www.sos.state.nv.us/nvelection/2004_bq/bq1.htm...

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LAApproved by voters 09/2006P-12Central Community School System
Amendment 8
Proposes a Constitutional amendment to grant to the Central Community School System in East Baton Rouge Parish the same authority granted parishes, including funds for the minimum foundation fund, school books, instructional materials and the raising of local ...

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LAApproved by voters 09/2006P-12Prohibiting Legislative Mandates on Local Boards
Amendment 9
Proposes a constitutional amendment to provide that no law, unless enacted by two-thirds of the elected members of each house of the legislature, requiring increased expenditures for any purpose shall be applicable to a city, parish, or other local public scho...

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LAApproved by voters 09/2006Postsec.Postsecondary Investment in Stocks
Amendment 10
Proposes an amendment to the constitution to authorize the investment in stocks of up to 35% of the state-funded permanently endowed funds of a public or private college or university. http://www.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcms4&rqsdta=093006...

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MIRejected by voters 08/2006P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Educational Funding Guarantee
V. 6 (Prop. 5)
Would require the state to provide annual funding increases equal to the rate of inflation for public schools, intermediate school districts, community colleges and higher education. Would require state to fund any deficiencies in the school aid fund from the ...

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AZOn 11/07/2006 Ballot. 07/2006P-12Early 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...

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AZApproved by voters 07/2006P-12Early 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 ...

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MIApproved by voters 07/2006P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Bans Affirmative Action By State
V. 3 (Prop. 2)
Amends the state Constitution through a ballot proposal to prohibit the University of Michigan and other state universities, the state, and all other state entities from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethni...

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AZOn 11/07/2006 Ballot. 06/2006Community College
Postsec.
Community College Funding Ballot Initiative
V. 2 (Prop. 2056)
(PROPOSITION HCR 2056-2006) Amends the State Constitution; relates to local property tax levies and community college districts; provides a limitation on annual increases in local ad valorem tax levies; relates to the 2006 Taxpayer Protection Act; provides tha...

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AZApproved by voters 06/2006Postsec.Prohibition of In-state Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants
V. 7 (Prop. 300)
(PROPOSITION SCR 1031-2006) Submits to the people of the State a measure relating to family literacy public program eligibility; prohibits eligibility to persons not legally in the United States or not citizens; requires reporting of the number of students cla...

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CARejected by Voters. 06/2006P-12Voluntary 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...

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CORejected by voters 06/2006P-1265% of School Budgets for Instruction
Amendment 39 (H.B. 1283)
Proposes a constitutional amendment to require that in each state fiscal year a school district spend at least 65% of its operational expenditures on classroom instruction.

Creates the State Public School Expenditures Accountability Act; requires school distr...

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NVDied 03/2006P-12Truth in Science Initiative
Initiative Petition
The Truth in Science Initiative (Initiative) proposes to add a new section to the Constitution regarding
how evolution is to be taught in the state's schools. Under the Initiative, students must be informed that
although most scientists agree that Darwin's the...

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+ 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