ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2007 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 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
AKAdopted 10/2007P-12Amends rules dealing with alternate performance standards for students with significant cognitive disabilities to include proficiency levels for the alternate assessment based on evaluating students' ability and performance on academic tasks. ALASKA 3551
http://www.touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/aac/title04/chapter004/section160.htm
Title: 4 AAC 04.160, .775
Source: http://www.touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats

AKAdopted 10/2007P-12Adopts by reference, the 2007 edition of the Participation Guidelines for Alaska Students, setting forth the requirements in assessments for students with disabilities. ALASKA 3556
http://touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/AAC/Title04.htm
Title: 4 AAC 06.775
Source: http://touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/AAC/Title04.htm

AKAdopted 09/2007P-12Adopts by reference, the 2007 edition of the Participation Guidelines for Alaska Students, setting forth the requirements in assessments for students with disabilities. ALASKA 3556
http://touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/AAC/Title04.htm
Title: 4 AAC 06.775
Source: http://touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats

GAAdopted 09/2007P-12Adds language regarding the Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State to State for English Language Learners (ACCESS for ELLs), an English language proficiency test administered annually to all English language learners (ELLs) to determine students' level of English language proficiency level.

Adds provision regarding "conditional administration," a test administration in which a more expansive accommodation is utilized to provide access for a small percentage of students with more severe disabilities who would not be able to access the assessment without such assistance.

Adds provision regarding Georgia Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (GKIDS), a performance assessment designed to provide teachers with information about the level of instructional support needed by individual students entering kindergarten and first grade. Provides this assessment will replace the Georgia Kindergarten Assessment Program-Revised (GKAP-R).

Replaces Middle Grades Writing Assessment (IMGWA) with Grade 8 Writing Assessment.

Adds science to areas in which a first-year ELL student may participate in the appropriate state board approved language proficiency assessment rather than the standard assessment.

Clarifies that only state-approved accommodations may be included in an IEP or Section 504 IAP. Eliminates certain provisions regarding the Georgia Alternate Assessment.

Specifies that students with significant cognitive disabilities participating in the GAA must be provided access to the state-adopted curriculum. Clarifies that educators may adjust the learning expectations for this group of unique students provided the instruction is based on and aligned to the grade-level curriculum standards. Provides that instruction may reflect pre-requisite skills but must be sufficiently challenging for the individual student.

Directs local school systems to provide individual student score reports for all state-mandated assessments to the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) in a timely manner.

http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/doe/legalservices/160-3-1-.07.pdf
Title: GAC 160-3-1-.07
Source: www.doe.k12.ga.us

ILAdopted 09/2007P-12Amends policies regarding the assessment of special education students at nonpublic, public out-of-state, public residential or private special education facilities. Transfers authority for the oversight of such assessment from the state board of education to the state superintendent. Specifies that an application for initial approval of educational and/or residential programs at such facilities must include the data that will be collected on the outcomes achieved by those students, which must reflect the students' learning goals as described in their respective IEPs. Also requires applications for programs serving students for whom behavioral interventions may be appropriate, to include a description of the provider's formalized approach to the use of these interventions.

Requires each provider to ensure that each student receives special education and related services in accordance with his or her IEP, provided that the use of behavioral intervention strategies that would jeopardize the safety or security of students or would rely upon pain as an intentional method of control cannot be permitted.

Requires each class offered in such a program to have a maximum enrollment of five students, except that enrollment may be increased by a maximum of two students in response to unique circumstances that occur during the school year so long as the educational needs of all students in the class can be adequately and appropriately met. Allows the enrollment in a class to be increased by a maximum of five students when a full-time paraprofessional is provided.

Establishes requirements for the administration of state assessments at such special education facilities, including required testing conditions, required personnel assignments and qualifications and required procedures. Requires that any breach of test security or other testing irregularity be reported to the state superintendent of education or designee in accordance with instructions applicable to particular types of problems, using one of the methods identified by
the state superintendent. Requires responsible staff at the affected facility to then follow the instructions provided by the state superintendent or the relevant test
contractor regarding the next steps to be taken in investigating the source of the problem, its implications and its potential resolution.

Directs each provider to prepare and keep on file an annual plan for inservice training in areas where improvement is desirable. Directs the provider to identify these areas based on an analysis of each program's implementation in relation to the approved application and based on data illustrating the achievement of the
students served in relation to the goals and objectives stated in their IEPs and on the state assessments in which they participate. Requires each provider to provide specific training to all staff on the use of isolated time out and behavioral intervention strategies, as appropriate to the student population.

Specifies that staff criminal background checks include the results of fingerprint-based criminal history records checks performed pursuant to the Uniform Conviction Information Act [20 ILCS 2635] or, for a facility located in another state, pursuant to that state's uniform conviction information act, and pursuant to the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-240), as well as the results of checks of the statewide sex offender database maintained in accordance with Section 115 of the Sex Offender Community Notification Law [730 ILCS 152/115] or, for a facility located in another state, checks of that state's sex offender
database.

Pages 600-618 of 671 http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/index/register/register_volume31_issue40.pdf
Title: 23 IAC 401.10 thru .260 (non seq.)
Source: www.cyberdriveillinois.com

LAAdopted 08/2007P-12Revises the use of Alternative Assessment results in accountability as suggested by the Department of Education's Technical Advisory Committee. Revises district accountability to better align with the high school redesign efforts initiated by the governor. Amends teacher certification indicator and 8th grade persistence indicator (based on a district's success at keeping 8th grade students enrolled in school).

Defines the requirements for exiting District Improvement in anticipation of districts' first opportunity to exit. Pages 3-5 of 79: http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/osr/reg/0708/0708RUL.pdf
Title: LAC 28:LXXXIII.4302 and 4313
Source: www.doa.louisiana.gov

LAAdopted 06/2007P-12Provides information regarding addition of achievement level descriptors for iLEAP, which causes a reformatting of a chapter. Adds language regarding iLEAP accommodations for special populations (page 21 of 168). Pages 2- of 168: http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/osr/reg/0706/0706rul.pdf
Title: LAC 28:CXI.1709-1729, 3306, and 3307
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

LAAdopted 03/2007P-12Clarifies guidelines for the participation in alternate assessments for students with disabilities who cannot participate in regular assessments. Page 13 of 118: http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/osr/reg/0703/0703rul.pdf
Title: LAC 28:XCVII.905
Source: www.doa.louisiana.gov

LAAdopted 03/2007P-12Approves for advertisement revisions to Bulletin 118- Statewide Assessment Standards and Practices. Consolidates statewide test information. Provides easy access to that information. Incorporates guidelines for newly adopted statewide assessments. Adds new language to established assessment guidelines. Reflects the renaming of the division to the Division of Standards, Assessments, and Accountability. Pages 3-8 of 118: http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/osr/reg/0703/0703rul.pdf
Title: LAC 28:CXI.305 and Chapter 19
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

LAAdopted 02/2007P-12Makes various changes to state assessment system. Creates end-of-course tests, to be phased in over a period of six years starting in fall 2007, in the following:
1. Algebra I;
2. Geometry;
3. English I;
4. English II;
5. Biology;
6. American History;
7. Civics; and
8. Free Enterprise.

Sets limitations on the public release of assessment data when such a release might compromise student confidentiality. Amends test security policies. Amends policies related to erasure analysis on state assessments. Also amends policies to address suspected violations of test security and troubling content in written assessment responses. Adds provision regarding administrative errors by school personnel that result in a question regarding the security of the test or the accuracy of the test data.

Amends provisions related to English language development assessments for English language learners (ELLs) and assessment of students with disabilities, including assessment accommodations for ELLs and students with disabilities.

Provides that if a student is expelled from school and is not enrolled in any type of alternative program or receiving any services from the district, the parent may make a timely request that the student be tested and the district must make arrangements to test the student.

Pages 7- of 50: http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/osr/reg/0702/0702rul.pdf
Title: LAC 28:CXI.Chapters 1, 3, 5, 18, 23, 27, 33, and 35
Source: www.doa.louisiana.gov

LAAdopted 02/2007P-12Adds new language in Chapter 17 regarding statewide assessments. Updates Integrated Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (iLEAP) (Chapter 17) and Louisiana Alternate Assessment, Level 2 (LAA 2) (Chapter 20) to provide educators with finalized information about these new statewide assessments. Provides details about test design, test format, achievement levels, achievement level descriptors, performance standards, and content standards.

Pages 17-28 of 50: http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/osr/reg/0702/0702rul.pdf
Title: LAC 28:CXI.Chapter 17 and 20
Source: www.doa.louisiana.gov

+ 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
+ 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
+ Curriculum--Speech Education
+ Data-Driven Improvement
+ Demographics
+ 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
+ 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--Constructivism
+ Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ Instructional Approaches--Official English
+ Instructional Approaches--Problem Based Learning
+ Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
+ 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
+ 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 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--Completion Rates (Statistics)
+ Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation
+ Postsecondary Success--Retention/Persistence
+ Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation
+ Private Schools
+ Privatization
+ Public Involvement
+ Reading/Literacy
+ Religion
+ Religion--Prayer/Meditation
+ 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
+ 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
+ Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance
+ Student Supports--Mentoring/Tutoring
+ Student Supports--Remediation
+ Students
+ Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities
+ Students--Incentives
+ 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
+ Whole Child