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
+ 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
+ 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
CAChaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter No. 471 10/2007P-12Facilities finance
S.B. 614
Relates to design-build contracts for the design and construction of a school facility. Authorizes a school district governing board to enter into contracts that exceed a specified amount. Extends the repeal date of such authority. Prohibits retention proceeds...

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CAVetoed 09/2007P-12Facilities
S.B. 121
Requires an applicant school district for new construction to submit to the State Allocation Board a one-time report of existing school building capacity. Requires the maximum school building capacity for each school district applying for new construction fund...

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ILSigned into law 08/2007P-12Renewable Energy Source Grants
H.B. 285
Subject to appropriation, authorizes the department of commerce and economic opportunity to establish and operate a renewable energy grant program to assist school districts in the installation, acquisition, construction, and improvement of renewable energy so...

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ILSigned into law 08/2007P-12Community Organization Use of School Facilities During Non-School Hours
S.B. 538
Encourages school boards to allow community organizations to use school facilities during non-school hours. Provides that if a school board allows a community organization to use school facilities during non-school hours, the board must adopt a formal policy g...

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ILSigned into law 08/2007P-12Green Cities and Smart Cities Grant Program
H.B. 3394
Authorizes the department of commerce and economic opportunity to establish and administer a Green Cities grant program and a Smart Cities grant program to make grants to municipalities for urban preservation and redevelopment and green technology. Provides th...

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ILSigned into law 08/2007P-12
Community College
Wind Generation Turbine Farms
S.B. 843
Allows school districts and community college districts to own and operate wind generation turbine farms that directly or indirectly reduce energy or other operating costs. Provides that the school district or the community college district may ask for the ass...

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ILSigned into law 08/2007P-12Green School Construction Projects
S.B. 505
Amends 105 ILCS 230/5-40. Provides that school construction projects for which a district first applies for a grant on or after July 1, 2007 must receive certification from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green B...

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ORSigned into law 07/2007P-12School Facility Planning
S.B. 336
Defines large school district for purposes of provisions relating to school facility planning; modifies provisions regarding school facility planning with a city or county; extends the length of a school facility plan; revises the required elements of a school...

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CTSigned into law 06/2007P-12Pesticide Control on School Grounds
H.B. 5234
Banns pesticide use on the grounds of middle and high schools; promotes a healthy environment in middle and high school facilities; provides for enforcement officers who may enter any establishment to observe pesticide use and inspect equipment used to apply p...

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NJSigned into law 06/2007P-12Creates New Jersey Schools Development Authority
A.B. 4336; S.B. 2796
Establishes the New Jersey Schools Development Authority and revises the school construction program established under the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act.
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/A4500/4336_R2.PDF...

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NVSigned into law 06/2007P-12Construction or Renovation of School Buildings
S.B. 499
Provides that, in a county whose population is less than 400,000 (currently counties other than Clark County), plans, designs and specifications pertaining to the construction or renovation of school buildings must be reviewedby, and the construction or renova...

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COSigned into law 05/2007P-12Public School Facilities Equity Act
S.B. 41
Concerns the creation of the Public School Facilities Equity Act to address the capital construction needs of public schools in the State. Creates the Public School Facilities Act; establishes an advisory committee within the Department of Education for public...

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COSigned into law 05/2007P-12School Security for Buildings
H.B. 1059
Concerns the School Security Infrastructure Grant Program; provides that the program may be used to remodel or renovate the infrastructure of schools to prevent intruders from entering schools and endangering children.
http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics200...

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HISigned into law 05/2007P-12
Postsec.
Community College
State Building Code Council
S.B. 795
Establishes a State Building Code Council to establish a comprehensive state building code, to review and adopt new model building codes within a specified timeframe, to provide education and technical training and administrative assistance in the form of serv...

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MTSigned into law 05/2007P-12School Facility Improvement Account
S.B. 2A (Facilities Funding)
Provides for a school facility improvement account in the state special revenue fund to provide money to schools to implement the recommendations of the school facility condition and needs assessment and energy audit for: (1) major deferred maintenance; (2) im...

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NMSigned into law 04/2007P-12Public School Lease Purchase Act
H.B. 843
Allows, under specified circumstances, public school facilities to be acquired pursuant to lease purchase arrangements. Authorizes additional property taxes for school districts upon the approval of the qualified electors.
http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/07%...

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NMSigned into law 04/2007P-12Charter School Facilities Fund
S.B. 634
Creates fund relating to charter school facilities funding. Provides procedures for meeting the needs of state-chartered and locally chartered charter schools for adequate facilities.
http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/07%20Regular/final/SB0634.pdf...

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NMVetoed 04/2007P-12Public School Capital Outlay Omnibus Bill
H.B. 328
Provides that certain school construction projects may be exempted from some state oversight. Amends the public school capital outlay Act to change the criteria for offsetting amounts from state grants. Requires space utilization to be considered. Allows addit...

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NMSigned into law 04/2007P-12Public School Capital Outlay Omnibus Bill
S.B. 395
Relates to public school facilities; provides that certain school construction projects may be exempted from some state oversight. Amends the Public School Capital Outlay Act to change the criteria for offsetting amounts from state grants; requires space utili...

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ALSigned into law 03/2007P-12Tornado Damage Repair
H.B. 141
Makes a supplemental appropriation from the Education Trust Fund in the State Treasury to the State Department of Education, for Enterprise High School to cover
repairs to facilities damaged in tornado. (Act 2007-133)
http://alisdb.legislature.state.al.us/acas...

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NDSigned into law 03/2007P-12Construction Project Approval
H.B. 1248
Schools considering construction projects are required to get approval from the state superintendent. If the superintendent denies the request, the district may appeal to the state board. New provisions establish the requirements that the state board must cons...

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UTSigned into law 03/2007P-12County and Municipal Land Use Provisions Regarding Schools
H.B. 69
Adds additional building inspections to a list of requirements that a county and municipality may not impose on school districts or
charter schools; modifies the criteria for an improvement project for which a county and municipality may not require a school d...

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VASigned into law 03/2007P-12Career & Technical Education Project Contractor Licensing Requirements Exemption
H.B. 2757
Exempts from the contractor licensing requirements work undertaken by students as part of a career and technical education project as defined in § 22.1-228 established by any school board in accordance with Article 5 (§ 22.1-228 et seq.) of Chapter 13 of Title...

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WYSigned into law 02/2007P-12District Facilities Account Enforcement
H.B. 17
Provides for enforcment of expenditures from a school district's facilities maintenance, repair and replacement account; reduces payments to a school district for the amount of any unauthorized expenditures from the account. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2007/E...

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WYSigned into law 02/2007P-12Facilities Payment Expansion
S.B. 14
Expands major building and facility repair and replacement payments for school districts to include buildings or facilities that would otherwise be treated as a closed building or determined to be surplus if the building or facility is being used for the provi...

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+ 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