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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 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 MO Adopted 10/2007 Postsec. Teaching Quality-Certification 5 CSR 80-800.220 Deletes the certification requirements for Postsecondary Career Educators as of June 2007. http://www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/csr/current/5csr/5c80-800.pdf... More... WI Signed into law 10/2007 Postsec. Promoting Postsecondary Attendance S.B. 40 Directs the department of administration to: (1) Serve as the state's liaison agency between the higher educational aids board, the department of public instruction, the University of Wisconsin System, the technical college system, and other public and private... More... CA Signed into law 09/2007 Postsec. private postsecondary S.B. 45 Extends the provisions of the Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education Reform Act of 1989. Provides for the extension of voluntary agreements with institutions regarding compliance with related state statutes. Authorizes accredited institutions to make s... More... MA Issued 08/2007 P-12 Postsec. Community College The Readiness Project Executive Order No. 489 Establishes the Readiness Project to develop a plan to implement fundamental and systemic reforms to public education in the Commonwealth over the next ten years. The project will have three chairs appointed by the Governor.  The plan will include recommenda... More... MD Adopted 08/2007 Postsec. Community College Postsecondary Institution Diploma and Degree Requirements COMAR 13B.02.02.02-.08, .10-.19, .21, .22 Requires the Maryland Higher Education Commission to establish minimum requirements for issuing certificates, diplomas, and degrees by public and nonpublic institutions of postsecondary education. A. The requirements in this chapter apply to all degree-granti... More... NC Signed into law 08/2007 Postsec. Community College Public Records and Privacy S.B. 1023 Modifies the public records laws applicable to the University of North Carolina and the North Carolina community colleges. Protects the privacy of applicants who are not admitted or who do not enroll; provides that certain audit records are public documents. h... More... NY Vetoed 08/2007 Postsec. Community College Authority of the Civil Service Commission S.B. 3054 Relates to the authority of the civil service commission to designate positions as unclassified; provides that the commission shall not consider a request by the chancellor of the state university and by the board of trustees of community colleges which seeks ... More... OR Issued 08/2007 P-12 Postsec. Community College Postsecondary Quality Education Commission Executive Order 07-13 Executive Order 07-13 establishes the Postsecondary Quality Education Commission, to be chaired by the president of Oregon State University and the president of Lane Community College. The commission is charged with developing a Postsecondary Quality Education... More... NC Signed into law 07/2007 Postsec. Community College Task Force to Examine the Application of the State Personnel Act to UNC S.B. 1353 Requires the president of the University of North Carolina (UNC) to appoint a task force to examine the application of the state personnel act to UNC with a goal of making recommendations that will improve the ability of the University to attract, reward, and ... More... RI Signed into law 07/2007 P-12 Postsec. Creates a Research Foundation H.B. 5455 Establishes a research foundation, as a nonprofit corporation, at the University of Rhode Island to administer the development of scientific research, technology, the commercialization of intellectual property and such other work as necessary to develop, promo... More... RI Signed into law 07/2007 Postsec. Purchase and Sale of Academic Degrees S.B. 392 Prohibits the purchase and sale of academic degrees wherein the degree is obtained on the basis of a combination of a payment of a fee and the attainment of academic credit for so-called life experiences, without the applicant undertaking any coursework. http:... More... CO Signed into law 06/2007 Postsec. Innovative Higher Education Research Fund S.B. 182 Concerns State matching funds for competitive Federally sponsored research projects at Colorado public universities; creates the Higher Education Competitive Research Authority and the Innovative Higher Education Research Fund. http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics... More... CT Signed into law 06/2007 Postsec. Community College Accreditation and Diploma Mill Oversight S.B. 1139 Concerns enhanced enforcement authority by the Department of Higher Education; provides the Board of Governors of Higher Education and the Commissioner of Higher Education with enhanced enforcement authority regarding colleges and universities which are operat... More... NH Signed into law 06/2007 Postsec. Community College College Tuition Savings Plan S.B. 245 Makes various changes to the state College Tuition Savings Plan. http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2007/SB0245.html... More... OR Signed into law 06/2007 Postsec. Community College Diploma Mills S.B. 198 Allows the Student Assistance Commission to terminate activities of diploma mills and operation of post-secondary accrediting bodies not recognized by United States Department of Education; defines diploma mill; removes the authority of the commission to subst... More... TX Signed into law 06/2007 P-12 Postsec. Work-study Mentorship Program S.B. 1050 Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to develop a work-study mentorship program under which eligible college students are authorized to mentor and counsel other students. The bill also provides for the funding of the program, authorizes stude... More... IN Signed into law 05/2007 P-12 Postsec. Community College Recodification of Higher Education Code S.B. 526 (omnibus) - Recodification of Higher Education Code Recodifies the law governing higher education. Changes references in provisions that cross reference to the law being recodified. Makes related changes. Repeals obsolete provisions. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the code revision commiss... More... MO Signed into law 05/2007 Postsec. Community College Postsecondary Institutions S.B. 389 [Postsecondary Institutions] Multiple provisions relating to higher education. Stipulates that in order to receive increases in state appropriations, two- and four-year institutions must work with the commissioner of higher education to establish agreed-upon competencies for certain entry... More... MO Signed into law 05/2007 Postsec. Community College Higher Education Finance S.B. 389 [Postsecondary Finance] Increases the amount of the Bright Flight scholarships from $2,000 to $3,000 beginning with fiscal year 2011. Beginning with fiscal year 2011, students with test scores between the top five percent and the top three percent qualify for a scholarship of $1,000.... More... NY Issued 05/2007 Postsec. Commission on Higher Education Executive Order No. 14 (Executive Order No. 14) Establishes the New York State Commission on Higher Education. The Commission's inquiry shall include analysis of: (a) academic standards and performance in New York's colleges and universities, with particular emphasis on SUNY and CU... More... MS Signed into law 04/2007 Postsec. Community College Law Enforcement Officers' Employed by Postsecondary Insititutions Jurisdiction S.B. 3015 Expands the jurisdiction of law enforcement officers employed by Jackson State University, University of Southern Mississippi and state junior and community colleges to an area within 500 feet of university or college property. http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us... More... WV Vetoed 04/2007 P-12 Postsec. Technology Donation Program; Higher Ed. Councils; Health Education Loan Program H.B. 2558 Requires the state's Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to create and implement a program to refurbish and donate state surplus computers which are no more than four years old from state agencies to public schools and low-income school children; encourages the CTO... More... AL Signed into law 03/2007 Postsec. Diploma Mills S.J.R. 8 Sustains the disapproval by the Joint Committee on Administrative Regulation Review of the Commission on Higher Education proposed amendment to Rule 300- 2-1-.02, entitled Review and Approval or Disapproval of Proposed Postsecondary Course Offerings in Alabama... More... AR Signed into law 03/2007 Postsec. Rising Junior Exam S.B. 203 Relates to an act to repeal the requirement that college juniors take the Rising Junior Exam. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/SB203.pdf... More... MS Signed into law 03/2007 Postsec. Community College Leasing Land for Private Construction H.B. 1208 Authorizes the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning to authorize universities to lease land at the univeersity for the construction of facilities by private financing for a term of 31 years. Contains requirements for building code complia... More... MS Signed into law 03/2007 Postsec. Community College Annual Appropriations to State's Public Community and Junior Colleges S.B. 2364 Makes changes to the calculation of state-aid for public junior and community colleges. http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2007/html/SB/2300-2399/SB2364PS.htm... More... NM Signed into law 03/2007 Postsec. Community College Higher Education Department S.B. 248 Creates the higher education department in the executive branch. Department is a cabinet department including the followiong divisions: (1) administrative services, (2) planning and research, (3) financial aid, (4) public information, (5) adult basic education... More... NM Signed into law 03/2007 Postsec. Community College On-Campus Military Recruiting S.B. 566 Ensures that the military is treated as equal to any other recruiter permitted to recruit on-campus in New Mexico public post-secondary educational institutions. http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/07%20Regular/final/SB0566.pdf... More... UT Signed into law 03/2007 Postsec. College Dormitory Concealed Firearms Restriction S.B. 251 Authorizes higher education institutions in the state to make a rule that allows a dormitory resident to request only roommates who are not licensed to carry a concealed firearm under law. http://le.utah.gov/~2007/bills/sbillint/sb0251s02.htm... More... UT Signed into law 03/2007 Postsec. Higher Education Partnerships Appropriation H.B. 185 Appropriates monies to institutions of higher education in the state to provide increased degree opportunities in high-demand academic areas through partnerships and regional programs. http://le.utah.gov/~2007/bills/hbillenr/hb0185.htm... More... UT Signed into law 03/2007 Postsec. Community College Higher Education Criminal Background Checks H.B. 196 Directs the state Board of Regents to adopt a policy requiring an applicant for a position in a higher education institution that involves significant contact with a minor or a position that is security sensitive to submit to a criminal background check as a c... More... UT Signed into law 03/2007 Postsec. Community College Higher Education Task Force H.B. 396 Creates the Higher Education Task Force, which is charged with studying issues concerning the state system of higher education, including institutional missions, tuition, and other issues. http://le.utah.gov/~2007/bills/hbillenr/hb0396.htm... More... VA Signed into law 03/2007 Postsec. Community College Suicide Prevention Policies H.B. 3064 Directs the governing boards of each public institution of higher education to develop and implement policies that advise students, faculty, and staff, including residence hall staff, of the proper procedures for identifying and addressing the needs of student... More... AL Adopted 02/2007 Postsec. Approval/Disapproval of Postsecondary Course Offerings AAC 300-2-1-.02 Clarifies the Commission's definition of "non-resident institution." ALABAMA 7823 Rule Adoption 02/06/07 http://www.alabamaadministrativecode.state.al.us/docs/hged/index.html... More... VA Passed 02/2007 Postsec. Attracting & Retaining Higher Education Faculty Assessment H.J. 642 This joint resolution of the legislature requests the State Council of Higher Education to conduct as a follow up to the development of its new strategic plan, an assessment of Virginia's competitiveness in attracting and retaining faculty at Virginia's public... More... 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