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From the ECS State Policy Database 2007 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 2007. 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 21st Century Skills Accountability Accountability--Accreditation Accountability--Measures/Indicators Accountability--Reporting Results Accountability--Rewards Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--No Pass No Drive Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--No Pass No Play 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--NAEP (NAEP Results and NAEP Organization) 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--Charter Districts Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Closings 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 Class Size Counseling/Guidance Curriculum Curriculum--Arts Education Curriculum--Censorship Curriculum--Core Curriculum Curriculum--Drivers Education Curriculum--Environmental Education Curriculum--Excusal Curriculum--Family Living Education Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed. Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language Curriculum--Geography Education Curriculum--Health/Nutrition 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 Desegregation Economic/Workforce Development Education Research Equity Federal Finance Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost Finance--Aid to Private Schools Finance--Bonds Finance--District Finance--Equity Finance--Facilities Finance--Funding Formulas Finance--Local Foundations/Funds Finance--Lotteries 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--Mandates 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 LA Adopted 12/2007 P-12 Carnegie Credit for Middle School Students LAC 28:CXV.2321 Amends sections of Bulletin 741-Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators concerning the Carnegie Credit for Middle School Students. Provides students who are repeating the 8th grade because they have failed the mathematics and/or English language arts comp... More... IL Signed into law 08/2007 P-12 Students in Grades 7 and 8 Completing High School Courses S.B. 424 Provides that the school board of a school district that maintains any of grades 9 through 12 is authorized to adopt a policy under which a student enrolled in grade 7 or 8 who is enrolled in the unit school district or would be enrolled in the high school dis... More... NC Signed into law 07/2007 P-12 High School Special Education Study H.B. 17 Directs the department of public instruction to identify the various models being utilized to deliver educational and other services at the high school level to children with disabilities in the state. As a part of its study, the department must consider the e... More... NH Signed into law 07/2007 P-12 Admission of Students With Two Years High School H.B. 822 Requires regional vocational schools to accept students who have completed 2 years of high school regardless of the number of credits earned; allows students to enroll in regional vocational schools when the department of education determines it would be in th... More... OR Signed into law 07/2007 P-12 Postsec. Abolishes Certificates of Initial Master and Advanced Mastery, Adds/Modifies Assessments H.B. 2263C - Certificates of Mastery and State Assessments Abolishes Certificate of Initial Mastery and Certificate of Advanced Mastery. From the staff summary: The Certificate of Initial Mastery (CIM) and Certificate of Advanced Mastery (CAM) were originally included in the Oregon Educational Act for the 21st Century... More... ME Signed into law 06/2007 P-12 High School Graduation & Assessment Requirements H.B. 1295 Proposes changes in high school graduation requirements, assessments and overall high school program design to ensure that each student has an equitable opportunity to achieve the State's learning results and to graduate ready for college, career and citizensh... More... ME Signed into law 06/2007 P-12 High School Completion for At Risk Students H.B. 1296 Implements the recommendations of the Governor's Task Force to Engage State's Youth; ensures that students experiencing education disruption will have the same opportunities to earn an approved high school diploma; relates to disruptions of homelessness, unpla... More... NV Signed into law 06/2007 P-12 Postsec. Dropout Reporting, Exit Exam Alternatives, Competency Based Credits S.B. 312 Expands the annual reports of accountability information to include the rate of pupils who drop out of school in grades 6, 7 and 8. Requires the State Board to prescribe alternative criteria that a pupil may satisfy to receive a standard high school diploma if... More... TX Signed into law 06/2007 P-12 Diplomas Received Posthumously H.B. 1563 Upon the request of the parent, requires school districts to posthumously issue a high school diploma to a student who died while enrolled in the 12th grade and was on track to receive a high school diploma and the end of the school year. A school district wou... More... FL Signed into law 05/2007 P-12 High School to Business Career Enhancement Act H.B. 1161 Relates to the High School to Business Career Enhancement Act and high school work experience; requires each district school board to adopt policies and procedures for the High School to Business Career Enhancement Program through which student internships sha... More... MN Signed into law 05/2007 P-12 GRAD Assessments H.F. 2245 [Statewide Testing and Reporting System] Amends laws concerning state's assessment system. Transitions from to MCA IIs to GRAD assessment program at the high school level. http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H2245.2.html&session=ls85... More... MN Signed into law 05/2007 P-12 Independent Office of Educational Accountability H.F. 2245 [Educational Accountability] Amends duties of the Independent Office of Educational Accountability as it relates to the commissioner of education's reporting requirements. http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H2245.2.html&session=ls85... More... MN Signed into law 05/2007 P-12 State Assessment System H.F. 2245 [High School Assessment] Amends state's high school assessment system. Phases out MCA II's and phases in Graduation Required Assessment for Diploma (GRAD) exam. Establishes achievement levels necessary for passge of exam. (Sections 10 + 36) http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbi... More... MS Adopted 05/2007 P-12 Annual Report on Graduation and Dropout Counts Board Policy Revises rules concerning the calculation of graduation, completion and dropout counts and rates in annual reports on grades 7 through 12. http://board.mde.k12.ms.us/May_2007/May_18_2007_Friday.htm... More... NV Signed into law 05/2007 P-12 High School Reform A.B. 212 Provides for high school reform. Requires the board of trustees of each school district to adopt a policy for each public school of the school district in which ninth grade pupils are enrolled, to develop a 4-year academic plan for each of those pupils. Requir... More... TN Signed into law 05/2007 P-12 Alternate Means to Earn Credit Hours S.B. 118 Requires state department to develop alternate methods whereby adult students at adult high schools may satisfy any requirement that such students have a minimum number of contact hours to earn credit for a course. Such alternative methods may include learning... More... TX Signed into law 05/2007 P-12 High School Completion and Success Initiative Council (HSCSIC) H.B. 2237 (High School Provisions) Establishes and grants authority to the High School Completion and Success Initiative Council concerning grants and technical assistance in support of innovative research-based high school improvement programs and to enhance education practices. The High Schoo... More... NM Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Postsec. High School Redesign H.B. 584/S.B. 561 Provides for high school redesign. Directs the department of education to establish a readiness assessment system to measure the readiness of every New Mexico high school student for success in higher education or a career no later than the 2008-2009 school ye... More... NM Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Postsec. Community College High School Postsecondary Dual Enrollment S.B. 943 Creates a program allowing students to earn dual credits toward high school graduation and a post-secondary degree or certificate. Specifies student eligibility and duties of the higher education department, districts and department of education. Provides for ... More... NM Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Teacher Mentoring Programs S.B. 211 Directs the department of education to distribute available funds for mentorship programs to school districts annually on a per-teacher basis according to the number of beginning teachers on the 40th day of the school year. Also directs the department to requi... More... VA Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Technical Diploma H.B. 2039 Requires the state board to establish the requirements for a technical diploma. This diploma shall meet or exceed the requirements of a standard diploma and will include a concentration in career and technical education, as established in Board regulations. A ... More... WA Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Participation in Commencement H.B. 1050 Kevin's Law: Requires that by September 1, 2007, each school district that operates a high school shall permit any student meeting the following criteria to participate in commencement exercises with the student's graduating class and be recognized for their a... More... WA Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Community College Skill Centers S.B. 5790 Creates a new chapter addressing skill centers. Beginning in the 2007- 08 school year, students attending skill centers will be funded for all classes at the skill center and the sending district up to 1.6 full time equivalent (FTE) students, or as determined ... More... LA Adopted 03/2007 P-12 High School Coursetaking LAC 28:CXV.2319 Adds Database Programming with PL/SQL, Java Programming, Database Design and Programming and Digital Media I/II to the computer/technology courses that may fulfill the 1 unit computer/technology requirement for an optional career area of concentration. Pages 8... More... MS Signed into law 03/2007 P-12 Secondary School Redesign S.B. 2345 Directs state board to develop and pilot a program to redesign secondary schools in the state to function not only as curriculum and educational entities but also as workforce development centers. Contingent upon appropriations, the board will pilot a minimum ... More... NM Signed into law 03/2007 P-12 High School Diplomas for Military Children S.B. 687 Provides that a New Mexico resident high school student who is required to move out of state because the student's parent is a member of the New Mexico National Guard or a branch of the Armed Forces of the United States and the parent is transferred to an out-... More... SD Signed into law 03/2007 P-12 Credit for Distance Learning Courses H.B. 1113 Adds a new section. Prohibits school districts from granting credit for distance learning courses offered through entities other than the South Dakota Virtual High School unless any of the following conditions apply: (1) The course is provided through an agre... More... WV Signed into law 03/2007 P-12 High Quality Educational Programs S.B. 657 From Fiscal Note: The purpose of this bill is to revise the standards, assessment and accountability system to accommodate the higher order thinking and learning skills consistent with the state's 21st Century Initiative. School and district improvement plans ... More... MS Adopted 02/2007 P-12 Dropout Prevention Program Uncodified Amends rules concerning the dropout prevention program. Implements a plan to increase the graduation rate to 85% by 2018-19, reduce the dropout rate by 50% by 2012-13, and reduce the statewide truancy rate by 50% by 2012-13. http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/board_agen... More... 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--Constructivism Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling Instructional Approaches--Official English Instructional Approaches--Problem Based Learning Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools International Baccalaureate International Benchmarking 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 Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Tenure Mentoring/Tutoring Middle School Minority/Diversity Issues Minority/Diversity Issues--African American Minority/Diversity Issues--American Indian / Alaska Native / Native Hawaiian 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--Finance No Child Left Behind--Parent Involvement 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 Content Standards and Assessment P-3 Early Intervention (0-3) P-3 Ensuring Quality P-3 Evaluation/Economic Benefits P-3 Family Involvement P-3 Finance P-3 Governance P-3 Grades 1-3 P-3 Health and Mental Health P-3 Kindergarten P-3 Kindergarten--Full-Day Kindergarten P-3 Preschool P-3 Teaching Quality/Professional Development Parent/Family Parent/Family--Parent Rights Partnerships--University/School 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 Finance Postsecondary Finance--Efficiency/Performance-Based Funding 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 Students--Disabled Postsecondary Students--Foster Youth Postsecondary Students--Graduate/Professional Postsecondary Students--Military Postsecondary Students--Minority Postsecondary Success--Completion Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation Postsecondary Success--Retention/Persistence Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation Private Schools Privatization Public Involvement Reading/Literacy Religion Religion--Prayer/Meditation Remediation (K-12) Rural Scheduling/School Calendar 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--District Size 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 Social/Emotional Learning and Non-Cognitive Skills 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 Special Populations--Migrant Education Special Populations--Military Standards State Longitudinal Data Systems State Policymaking State Policymaking--Ballot Questions State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions STEM Student Achievement Student Achievement--Closing the Achievement Gap Students Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities Students--Mobility 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--Recruitment and Retention--High-Needs Subjects Teaching Quality--Reduction in Force Teaching Quality--Teacher Rights Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining Teaching Quality--Working Conditions 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 Urban