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
+ 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
MIEnacted 11/2007P-12Relates to application of mandatory expulsion provisions for special education students; clarifies the relationship with federal law; provides for an immediate evaluation by the intermediate school district of which the school district is constituent; provides for home instructional services under certain circumstances.
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/publicact/pdf/2007-PA-0138.pdf
Title: S.B. 571
Source: Michigan Legislature

LASigned into law 07/2007P-12Changes mandatory expulsion periods for certain student offenses; provides for student participation in appropriate rehabilitation or counseling programs; provides for student admission to regular and alternative education programs; relates to compliance monitoring; relates to local school board applications for related waivers. http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=451042
Title: S.B. 265
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

NCSigned into law 07/2007P-12Ensures that parents receive actual notice of a student's expulsion or suspension from school.
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2007/Bills/House/PDF/H1739v0.pdf
Title: H.B. 1739
Source: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us

NYSigned into law 07/2007P-12Relates to the provision of supplemental educational services, attendance at a safe public school, the suspension of pupils who bring a firearm to or possess a firearm at a school (chapter 425 of the laws of 2002) and the education law relating to implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (chapter 101 of the laws of 2003. Extends the effectiveness of these provisions to June 30, 2008. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=S05747&sh=t
Title: S.B. 5747
Source: assembly.state.ny.us

RISigned into law 07/2007P-12Provides that the discipline for any public school student who is in possession or use of alcohol, drugs or weapons, would be imposed on a case-by-case basis pursuant to guidelines promulgated by the school committee for that district; specifies that the guidelines and any discipline imposed shall take into account the nature and circumstances of the violation and the applicability of any federal laws governing students with disabilities.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law07/law07339.htm
Title: H.B. 5352
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us

TXSigned into law 07/2007P-12From fiscal note: [Part of} this bill would also define policies and procedures for notfication and placement of students required to register as sex offenders in either Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs or Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Programs. The bill provides that a JJAEP receiving students placed under the provisions of the bill is entitled to the same funding it would receive on behalf of a student placed in a JJAEP for conduct for which expulsion is permitted, but not required.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB00006F.pdf
Title: S.B. 6
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us

CTSigned into law 06/2007P-12Concerns suspensions and expulsions by local and regional boards of education; provides that pupils who are facing their first suspension or expulsion and who complete a program and other conditions shall have an opportunity to have the term of the suspension or expulsion shortened or waived and to have the notice of the suspension or expulsion expunged from the pupil's record prior to graduation.
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/ACT/Pa/pdf/2007PA-00122-R00HB-07273-PA.pdf
Title: H.B. 7273
Source: Connecticut Legislature

TNSigned into law 06/2007P-12Adds as a good reason for suspension, two or more students initiating a physical attack on an individual student on school property or at a school activity, including travel to and from school.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0402.pdf
Title: S.B. 247
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us

TXSigned into law 06/2007P-12Relates to the expulsion and placement in alternative settings of public school students who engage in conduct constituting certain felonies.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02532F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2532
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us

TNSigned into law 05/2007P-12Amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-2-203(a)(7) by deleting the subdivision in its entirety and by substituting instead the following:
(7) Suspend, dismiss or alternatively place pupils when the progress, safety, or efficiency of the school makes it necessary or when disruptive, threatening or violent students endanger the safety of other students or school system employees.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0315.pdf
Title: H.B. 928
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us

KSSigned into law 04/2007P-12From supplemental note on S.B. 129:
Changes notification requirements regarding students expelled or suspended from school for committing a school safety violation. Requires a school's chief administrative officer to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency of the expulsion or suspension within ten days. Following receipt of this notice, requires the
law enforcement agency to notify the Division of Motor Vehicles, which in turn must immediately suspend the student's driver's license or privilege to operate a
motor vehicle for one year. Clarifies that a student's license or driving privileges are not to be revoked if timely notification is not given.
Bill: http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/129.pdf
Fiscal note: http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-bills/showBill.do?id=125047
Supplemental note: http://www.kslegislature.org/supplemental/2008/SN0129.pdf

Title: S.B. 129
Source: www.kslegislature.org

UTSigned into law 03/2007P-12Allows a school to suspend or expel a student for accessing pornographic material at school, and makes it a crime to access pornographic material on school property. http://le.utah.gov/~2007/bills/hbillenr/hb0100.htm
Title: H.B. 100
Source: http://www.le.state.ut.us/

UTSigned into law 03/2007P-12Directs the state superintendent of public instruction, in cooperation with school districts and charter schools, to: 1) Research methods of motivating and providing incentives to students to comply with standards of conduct and evaluate the benefits and costs of those methods; 2) Publish a report that incorporates the research findings, provides model plans with suggested resource pools, and makes recommendations for local school boards and school personnel, and; 3) Submit the report to the Education Interim Committee; and maintain data for purposes of accountability, later reporting, and future analysis. http://le.utah.gov/~2007/bills/hbillenr/hb0212.htm
Title: H.B. 212
Source: http://www.le.state.ut.us/

ARSigned into law 02/2007P-12Relates to Webb's law; provides that upon the suspension of a student, the school shall immediately contact the student's parent or legal guardian to notify that person of the suspension; provides that each parent or legal guardian shall provide the school a primary call number, an e-mail address, if the parent or guardian does not have a telephone, or a current mailing address if no telephone or e-mail address.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB1145.pdf

Title: H.B. 1145
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us

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

+ 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