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
OHSigned into law 12/2006P-12Sec. 3319.073 requires each person employed by any school district or service center to work in an elementary school as a nurse, teacher, counselor, school psychologist, or administrator shall complete at least four hours of in-service training in the prevention of child abuse, violence, and substance abuse and the promotion of positive youth development within two years of commencing employment with the district or center, and every five years thereafter. A person who is employed by any school district or service center to work in an elementary school as a nurse, teacher, counselor, school psychologist, or administrator on the effective date of this amendment shall complete at least four hours of the in-service training required by this section within two years of the effective date of this amendment and every five years thereafter.
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=126_HB_276
Title: H.B. 276-- Sec. 3319.073
Source: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us

OHSigned into law 12/2006P-12Requires that information about professional misconduct or child abuse or neglect committed by a person licensed by the State Board of Education be submitted to the Superintendent of Public Instruction; requires a criminal records check prior to renewing an educator license (except allows exemptions for those who have had a background check within the past year); relates to persons applying to operate a family day-care home; provides a penalty for inaccurate school attendance data reporting; provides for handicapped preschool children; relates to student data verification codes. Requires each board of education of each school district, the governing board of each educational service center, and the chief administrator of each chartered nonpublic school, county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities to promptly submit to the superintendent of public instruction the information prescribed in division (C) of this section when any of the following conditions apply to an employee who holds a license issued by the state board of education:
(1) The board knows that the employee has pleaded guilty to, has been found guilty by a jury or court of, or has been convicted of an offense described in Code;
(2) The board has initiated termination or nonrenewal proceedings against, has terminated, or has not renewed the contract of the employee because the board has reasonably determined that the employee has committed an act unbecoming to the teaching profession or an offense described in Code;
(3) The employee has resigned under threat of termination or nonrenewal;
(4) The employee has resigned because of or in the course of an investigation by the board regarding whether the employee has committed an act unbecoming to the teaching profession or an offense described in Code.
(C) If a report is required under this section, the board shall submit to the superintendent of public instruction the name and social security number of the employee about whom information is required and a factual statement regarding any of the conditions prescribed in divisions (B)(1) to (4) of this section that apply to the employee.
(D) A determination made by the board as described in division (B)(2) of this section or a termination, nonrenewal, resignation, or other separation described in divisions (B)(2) to (4) of this section does not create a presumption of the commission or lack of the commission by the employee of an act unbecoming to the teaching profession or an offense described in Code.
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=126_HB_79
Title: H.B. 79-- Secs. 5153.175, 5126.253
Source: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us

NYVetoed 09/2006P-12Requires school superintendents, teachers and certain other licensed professionals officials required to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment to complete certain ongoing training. Amends the executive law and the public health law, in relation to child abuse prevention.
Title: S.B. 7660
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

NYSigned into law 08/2006P-12Authorizes the office of children and family services to conduct a public education campaign relating to zero tolerance for child abuse and maltreatment.
Title: S.B. 8131
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

NYSigned into law 08/2006P-12Establishes the child abuse medical provider program (CHAMP) to improve access to quality medical care for suspected child abuse victims by providing training in the assessment and diagnostic skills for medical providers to identify and treat child abuse victims, as well as developing and providing continuing education and mentoring to certain mandated reporters of child abuse or neglect.
Title: S.B. 7643
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

NYSigned into law 08/2006P-12Directs the commissioner of the office of children and family services and the education department to develop procedures for the reporting and investigation of educational neglect by school districts and child protective services.
Title: S.B. 8183
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

WVSigned into law 07/2006P-12Relates to the Child Protection Act with provisions requiring county boards of education, to the extent funds are provided, to establish programs for the prevention of child abuse and neglect and child assault to be provided to pupils, parents and school personnel as deemed appropriate; authorizes county school boards to request from the State Criminal Identification Bureau the record of any and all criminal convictions of it future employees relating to child abuse, sex-related offenses or possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute; allows county school boards to obtain information from the Central Abuse Registry with prior written consent regarding school contractors, service providers and their employees and to share such information with other county school boards; prohibits contractors or service providers or their employees from making direct, unaccompanied contact with students or having unaccompanied access to school grounds when students are present if it cannot be verified that the contractors, service providers or employees have not previously been convicted of the noted offenses. http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2006_SESSIONS/1x/BILLS/hb101%20ENR.htm
Title: H.B. 101A
Source: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/bill_status/bstatmenux/bstatfrm.cfm

FLSigned into law 06/2006P-12Creates the Office of Child Abuse and Prevention within the Executive Office of the Governor; provides procedures for evaluation of child abuse prevention programs; establishes a process for investigating reports of abuse; relates to independent living transition services; revises eligibility for young adults; requires additional aftercare services; requires boarding schools to meet certain standards; relates to medical assistance payment eligibility.
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h7173er.doc&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=7173&Session=2006
Title: H.B. 7173
Source: Florida Legislature

HISigned into law 06/2006P-12Strengthens the child abuse reporting statute to ensure that instances of known or suspected child abuse or neglect are reported without delay by requiring the staff at any public or private school, agency, or institution, who observe signs of the abuse or neglect, to report the abuse or neglect directly to the department of human services or the police. Provides that this direct reporting will also ensure that the best evidence of abuse or neglect is obtained. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessioncurrent/bills/sb2327_cd1_.htm
Title: S.B. 2327
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

ILSigned into law 06/2006P-12Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Clarifies that administrators and certified and non-certified school employees are mandated to report child abuse or neglect. Provides that any school board member who has actual knowledge that a child enrolled in the school district of which he or she is a board member is an abused child as defined in the Act must direct the superintendent to immediately report that knowledge to the Department of Children and Family Services. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/94/HB/PDF/09400HB5375lv.pdf
Title: H.B. 5375
Source: www.ilga.gov

ILSigned into law 06/2006P-12Amends the Criminal Code. Prohibits a child sex offender to knowingly operate, manage, be employed by, volunteer at, be associated with, or knowingly be present at a child day care facility, or a school providing before and after school programs for children under 18 years of age, with certain exceptions. Provides that the offender may reside within 500 feet of such facilities if the property is owned by the offender and was purchased before the effective date of this Act. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/94/HB/PDF/09400HB5249lv.pdf
Title: H.B. 5249
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

OKSigned into law 06/2006P-12Requires that at least once a year a program be offered which includes a component of teacher training on recognition and reporting of child abuse and neglect which all teachers that all teachers are required to complete.
http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/2005-06bills/SB/SB1493_ENR.RTF
Title: S.B. 1493
Source: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/

OKSigned into law 05/2006P-12Relates to school district professional development programs. Requires that at least once a year a program be be offered which includes a component of teacher training on recognition and reporting of child abuse and neglect which all teachers shall be required to complete.
http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/2005-06bills/HB/hb2097_enr.rtf
Title: H.B. 2097
Source: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us

GASigned into law 04/2006P-12Relates to parent and child relationship generally, so as to change certain provisions relating to reporting of child abuse. http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2005_06/pdf/sb442.pdf
Title: S.B. 442
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

IDIssued 04/2006P-12Establishes the Governor's Task Force for Children at Risk. Provides that the duties of the task force are:

1. To review existing systems and procedures and encourage improvements in the investigative, administrative, and judicial handling of cases of child abuse and neglect, particularly child sexual abuse to limit the trauma to the child victim.
2. To evaluate, propose, and encourage cooperation between persons and agencies involved in cases of child abuse and domestic violence evaluations.
3. To investigate and recommend optimum models of prevention, evaluation and treatment of victims and offenders.
4. To establish procedures for the review of child fatalities and substantial or severe injuries where the circumstances of the death or injury suggest the possibility of child abuse.
5. To study, propose, and encourage means to establish a highly professional, stable work force devoted to working with child abuse cases and issues.

Provides that the Department of Health and Welfare shall be the lead agency, providing support for the Task Force, and shall maintain office staff to carry out the activities directed by the Task Force, as funding is available.
http://gov.idaho.gov/mediacenter/execorders/eo06/eo_2006-13.htm
Title: Executive Order 2006-13
Source: gov.idaho.gov

VASigned into law 04/2006P-12Adds to definition of "abused or neglected child" to include a child whose parents or other person responsible for his care creates a substantial risk of physical or mental injury by knowingly leaving the child alone in the same dwelling with a person to whom the child is not related by blood or marriage and who the parent or other person responsible for his care knows has been convicted of an offense against a minor for which registration is required as a violent sexual offender. http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?061+ful+CHAP0868
Title: H.B. 1066
Source: leg1.state.va.us

VASigned into law 04/2006P-12Provides that every adult who has been convicted of certain sex offenses occurring on or after July 1, 2006, where the victim is 13 or younger and the offender is more than three years older than the victim, must be forever prohibited from working or engaging in any volunteer activity on property he knows or has reason to know is public or private elementary or secondary school or child day center property.  Provides that a violation of this section is punishable as a Class 6 felony.

Provides that an employer of a person who violates this section, or any person who procures volunteer activity by a person who violates this section,  and the school or child day center where the violation of this section occurred, are immune from civil liability unless they had actual knowledge that such person had been convicted of a specified offense. http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?061+ful+CHAP0853
Title: H.B. 846
Source: leg1.state.va.us

+ 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
+ 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