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--Legal Issues
+ 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
+ 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--Condition of Children/Adults
+ 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
+ High School--International Baccalaureate
+ Instructional Approaches
+ Instructional Approaches--Constructivism
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ Instructional Approaches--Problem Based Learning
+ 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--Recruitment and Retention
+ 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)
+ 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
+ Student Achievement--State Trends
+ Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance
+ Student Supports--Mentoring/Tutoring
+ Student Supports--Remediation
+ 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
AZSigned into law 06/2006P-12
Postsec.
Relates to the alternative teacher development program for placing highly qualified teachers into low income schools; provides for a matching grant to a nonprofit providing alternative teacher recruitment and placing; relates to public schools; requires demographic data concerning the aggregate composition of students in classrooms served by teachers placed by the service provider; provides for an evaluation of achievement gains; provides for public records.
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/47leg/2r/bills/sb1184s.pdf
Title: S.B. 1184
Source: Arizona Legislature

IASigned into law 06/2006P-12Rewrites section 284.11 (former "Pilot program for team-based variable pay for student achievement"). New section 284.11 encourages school districts to establish teacher compensation opportunities that recognize the need for geographic or other locally determined wage differentials and provides incentives for traditionally hard-to-staff schools and subject-area shortages. Provides for state assistance to allow school districts to add a market factor to teacher salaries paid by the school districts. Provides that funds are to supplement, but not supplant, wages and salaries paid as a result of a collective bargaining agreement.

Authorizes department to spend up to $250,000 of an allocation to support the implementation of a national board certification support program.

Authorizes area education agencies to receive funds to support beginning teacher mentoring and induction programs.

Deletes selected provisions from section 284.13 on authorized allocations for teacher salaries, professional development, etc.

Requires a preliminary study to measure the cost and effectiveness in raising student achievement of a compensation system that provides financial incentives based on student performance. Beginning July 1, 2006, requires the commission to gather sufficient information to identify a pay-for-performance program based on student achievement gains and global content standards where student achievement gains cannot be easily measured. Directs the commission to review pay-for-performance programs in both the public and private sector. Based on this information, requires the commission to design a program utilizing both individual and group incentive components. Requires at least half of any available funding identified by the commission to be designated for individual incentives. Commencing with the school year beginning July 1, 2007, requires the commission to initiate demonstration projects, in selected kindergarten through grade twelve schools, to test the effectiveness of the pay-for-performance program. Directs the commission to select 10 school districts as demonstration projects. To the extent practicable, requires participants to represent geographically distinct rural, urban, and suburban areas of the state. Requires the commission, beginning in the 2008-2009 school year, to select twenty additional school districts as demonstration projects.

Requires the commission to prepare an interim report by January 15, 2007, followed by interim progress reports annually, followed by a final study report analyzing the effectiveness of pay-for-performance in raising student achievement levels. Requires the final study report to be completed no later than six months after the completion of the demonstration projects. Directs the general assembly to consider implementing the pay-for-performance program statewide for the 2009-2010 school year.

Governor vetoed provisions establishing a pay-for-performance commission to design and implement a pay-for-performance program and provide a study relating to teacher and staff compensation containing a pay-for-performance component. Governor directs the Institute for Tomorrow's Workforce to take the lead on this study. Governor likewise vetoed provisions directing the department to create a teacher remediation program to provide counseling and assistance for teachers whose students do not demonstrate adequate increases in achievement.

Bill: http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&menu=false&hbill=HF2792
Veto message: http://www.governor.state.ia.us/legislation/2006/veto/060601_HF2792_Item.html
Title: H.B. 2792 - Section 24 - 27
Source: coolice.legis.state.ia.us

FLSigned into law 05/2006P-12The Legislature finds disparities between teachers assigned to teach in a majority of "A" graded schools and teachers assigned to teach in a majority of "F" graded schools. The disparities can be found in the average years of experience, the median salary, and the performance of the teachers on teacher certification examinations. It is the intent of the Legislature that district school boards have flexibility through the collective bargaining process to assign teachers more equitably across the schools in the district.

School districts may not assign a higher percentage than the school district average of first-time teachers, temporarily certified teachers, teachers in need of improvement, or out-of-field teachers to schools with above the school district average of minority and economically disadvantaged students or schools that are graded "D" or "F." Each school district must annually certify to the Commissioner of Education that this requirement has been met. If the commissioner determines that a school district is not in compliance, the State
Board of Education will be notified and take action.

INCENTIVES District school boards are authorized to provide salary incentives to meet this requirement. A district school board may not sign a collective bargaining agreement that precludes the school district from providing sufficient incentives to meet this requirement.

Schools graded "D" or "F" must annually report their teacher-retention rate. Included in this report shall be reasons listed for leaving by each teacher who left the school for any reason.

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h7087er.doc&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=7087&Session=2006
Title: H.B. 7087 (Section 57)
Source: Florida Legislature

MOSigned into law 05/2006P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Creates the Urban Flight and Rural Needs Scholarship Program for scholarships for students entering teacher education programs who commit to teaching at certain high-risk population schools. Defines eligibility and amount of scholarship.
http://www.senate.mo.gov/06info/pdf-bill/tat/SB980.pdf
Title: S.B. 980
Source: http://www.senate.mo.gov

VTSigned into law 05/2006P-12Directs the commissioner of education to annually convene a meeting of directors of Vermont educator preparation programs and representatives of school boards, superintendents, principals, educators, and the Vermont standards board to determine subject and geographic areas in which there is a critical need for educators and to discuss ways to meet the need.

Removes authority to oversee teacher licensing from the state board of education. Creates the Vermont standards board for professional educators to:
(1)  Adopt rules with respect to the licensing of teachers and administrators, and of speech-language pathologists and audiologists;
(2)  Establish standards for educator preparation programs in Vermont and approve those that meet the standards;
(3)  Establish standards, including endorsements, according to which individuals may obtain a license or have one renewed or reinstated;
(4)  Oversee and monitor the application and licensing process administered by the office; and
(5)  Develop a code of professional ethics and act as advisor to professional educators regarding its interpretation.

Lists causes for licensing action. Includes provisions related to reports of alleged unprofessional conduct or incompetence and investigating such reports; hearing panels; the conduct of hearings; appeals; and accessibility and confidentiality of licensing matters.

Directs the commissioner of education to issue annually a report to the standards board including:
(1)  the number of new licensees and endorsements they receive, the number of licenses that have lapsed without renewal, and the total number of licensees;
(2)  a summary of all complaints requiring preliminary review, formal investigation and formal charges; and
(3)  an accounting of all fees and administrative penalties received by the office and all expenditures and costs of the office for the year. http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2006/acts/ACT214.HTM
Title: H.B. 677
Source: www.leg.state.vt.us

MDSigned into law 04/2006P-12Establishes a comprehensive induction program in the State Department of Education for new teachers employed by hard-to-staff schools; requires that the comprehensive induction program include mentoring, professional development training and support, and formal assessments of teachers participating in the program.
http://mlis.state.md.us/2006rs/bills/sb/sb0238t.pdf
Title: S.B. 238
Source: Maryland Legislature

INSigned into law 03/2006P-12Allows the governing body of a school corporation or an accredited nonpublic school to hire an individual who is in the process of obtaining a teacher's license under the transition to teaching program, if the individual is obtaining a license in a subject area, or will be teaching in a school that is located in geographic area in which there is an insufficient supply of licensed teachers. http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2006/SE/SE0172.1.html
Title: S.B. 172
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

ILAdopted 01/2006P-12
Postsec.
Establishes rules to implement the Grow Our Own Teacher Education Act. Allows consortia of at least one postsecondary institution, at least one school district or group of schools and at least one community organization to apply for a grant provided the application proves at least a subset of teachers typically prepared by the institution seeks employment in communities where hard-to-staff schools are located, and that the institution is not applying for funding for an existing consortium currently serving a group of candidates under a model substantially similar to that described in the Act. Establishes other requirements for potential applicants. Establishes procedures for grant RFPs. Establishes criteria for the review of proposals, including that:

--programs seek to attract diverse teacher candidates reflecting the diversity of students in hard-to-staff schools;
--the plan of work for the program include specific strategies for overcoming known barriers faced by the targeted schools in retaining qualified teachers as well as barriers faced by the individuals who make up the cohort to be enrolled in the program;
--faculty and relevant staff of the institution are knowledgeable regarding the needs of hard-to-staff schools and the specific issues that candidates from non-traditional backgrounds encounter when attempting to complete preparation for teaching careers;
--the community organization that is a member of the consortium has conducted projects or initiatives with a specific focus on involving parents and others in school improvement, either in the targeted schools or schools with similar characteristics, and has the capacity to recruit candidates for and support them as they progress through the program.

Requires the State Superintendent of Education to approve proposals for funding and make final determinations regarding the amounts to be provided based on specified criteria.

Establishes requirements and procedures for continuation of implementation funding.

During Fiscal Year 2006, requires the State Superintendent of Education to invite proposals from existing entities already engaged in teacher preparation initiatives whose principal features are congruent with those established the Act. Allows one or more entities whose proposals demonstrate that an eligible consortium exists and that a cohort of eligible candidates is being prepared for service in hard-to-staff positions or schools to receive implementation funding in accordance with an approved proposal and budget, depending upon the preparation status of the candidates, the amounts requested, and the availability of funding.

Establishes procedures for awarding planning grants.

Provides loans of up to $25,000 to candidates in Grow Your Own programs to complete their teacher training. States that any candidate who completes 5 years of service in a hard-to-staff school or hard-to-staff teaching position will be fully forgiven. However, if an individual has not assumed employment in a hard-to-staff school or position within two years after receiving a teaching certificate, the individual shall be required to begin the repayment (without interest) of amounts loaned through the program.
http://www.isbe.net/rules/archive/pdfs/60ARK.pdf
Title: 23 IAC 60.10 thru 100
Source: Lexis/Nexis, /www.isbe.net/rules

+ 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