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
+ 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
CASigned into law 10/2007P-12Transportation
A.B. 57
Authorizes state and local entities to secure and expend federal funds appropriated under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transpo...

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CAVetoed 10/2007P-12biodiesel fuels
S.B. 70
Specifies standards for biodiesel and biodiesel blends and for renewable diesel and renewable diesel blends. Requires notification of consum...

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ORAdopted 10/2007P-12School Buses
OAR 581-053-0002
Prohibits use of school buses manufactured before April 1977 beginning August 1, 2008. ...

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ILSigned into law 08/2007P-12Reporting Erratic School Bus Driving
H.B. 3624
Requires each school bus to display a readable sign indicating the telephone number of the owner of the school bus, and indicating that the ...

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ILSigned into law 08/2007P-12Post-Trip Inspection Policy for School Buses
S.B. 166
Requires each school district, by January 1, 2008, to have in place a policy to ensure that the school bus driver is the last person leaving...

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ILSigned into law 08/2007P-12Electronic Recordings in School Buses
S.B. 665
Exempts from an eavesdropping violation an electronic recording, motion picture, videotape, digital, or other visual or audio recording, mad...

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NCSigned into law 08/2007P-12Biodiesel
S.B. 1452
Requires public school buses or other vehicles for student transportation that are capable of operating on diesel fuel to be capable of oper...

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NYSigned into law 08/2007P-12Idling of School Bus Engines
S.B. 5973
Requires the commissioner of education to promulgate regulations requiring school districts with a significant number of children with asthm...

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LASigned into law 07/2007P-12Reemployment of Retired School Bus Drivers
S.B. 60
Provides for reemployment of retired school bus drivers; provides for contributions and employer reporting requirements. http://www.legis.st...

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LASigned into law 07/2007P-12School Bus Crossing Control Devices
H.B. 157
Requires every school bus to be equipped with a crossing control device by January 1, 2008. Requires the state to reimburse local school boa...

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NCSigned into law 07/2007P-12Restraint Systems on School Buses
S.B. 812
Requires passenger safety restraint systems be installed and used on new school buses operated by public or private schools.
http://www.ncga...

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NCSigned into law 07/2007P-12Bus Drivers Using Cell Phones
H.B. 183
Makes it unlawful to use additional technology or a mobile telephone to engage in a call while operating a public or private school bus, a s...

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NCSigned into law 07/2007P-12School Bus Endorsements
H.B. 1546
Requires a commercial drivers license that has a school bus endorsement to expire three years after it is issued.
http://www.ncga.state.nc.u...

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NCSigned into law 07/2007P-12Passing Stopped School Bus
S.B. 924
Makes passing a stopped school bus and striking a person and causing serious bodily injury a felony.
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/20...

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NCSigned into law 07/2007P-12Pilot Reduction of Diesel Emissions
H.B. 1912
Establishes a pilot program to provide funds for local school administrative units to retrofit school buses in order to reduce diesel emissi...

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NYSigned into law 07/2007P-12Federal School Bus Safety Standards
A.B. 3978
Provides no person may operate a school for which there are no applicable federal school bus safety standards unless all occupants are restr...

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ORSigned into law 07/2007P-12Reduction in Diesel Emissions
H.B. 2172
Requires the Environmental Quality Commission to establish a goal to reduce excess lifetime risk of cancer due to exposure to diesel engine ...

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RISigned into law 07/2007P-12Transportation of 8 or Fewer Students
S.B. 556
Allows the use of school pupil transport vehicles for the transport of eight (8) or fewer pupils to and from school and school related servi...

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DESigned into law 06/2007P-12Bus Drivers' Requirements
H.B. 41
Recognizes that school bus drivers have to have an annual physical and for an intrastate CDL.
http://www.legis.state.de.us/LIS/lis144.nsf/vw...

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NYSigned into law 06/2007P-12P.J.'s Law
S.B. 3294
Enacts P.J.'s law; directs the commissioner of education to promulgate rules and regulations requiring school bus drivers and school bus att...

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ORSigned into law 06/2007P-12No Pre-1977 School Buses
H.B. 2456
Prohibits the use of school buses manufactured before April 1, 1977; provides that operation of a prohibited school bus is a Class B traffic...

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RISigned into law 06/2007P-12Bus Emergency Brakes
H.B. 5020
Requires that school bus emergency brakes, commencing with model year 2010, be equipped with an interlock brake system that, once applied, m...

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RISigned into law 06/2007P-12Transportation for Afterschool Programs
H.B. 6313
Creates a sixteen member special legislative commission whose purpose it would be to study transportation for afterschool and childcare prog...

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SCVeto overridden: legislature has overridden governor's veto 06/2007P-12Maximum School Bus Ride Time, Driver Training, etc.
H.B. 3161
Provides for the maximum school bus ride time, school bus driver certification training, provides that parents are responsible for the safet...

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TXSigned into law 06/2007P-12School Bus Safety
H.B. 3190
Prohibits persons who have committed offenses such as vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accid...

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TXVetoed 06/2007P-12No Diesel Engine Idling
H.B. 3457
Prohibits school buses with diesel engines from idling at schools or school events.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB...

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TXSigned into law 06/2007P-12Transportation Access
S.B. 1713
Requires a county or school district to allow a parent to designate a grandparent's residence or child-care facility for the purpose of acce...

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VTSigned into law 06/2007P-12School Bus Idling
S.B. 13
Prohibits the operator of a school bus from idling the engine while waiting for children to board at a school.
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/do...

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INSigned into law 05/2007P-12School Bus Size and Speed Limits
H.B. 1018
Extends the maximum permitted length of a conventional school bus from 38 to 42 feet. Increases the highway speed limit for a school bus to ...

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MNSigned into law 05/2007P-12Transportation for ELL Program
H.F. 2245 [High Needs ESL]
Authorizes district to provide transportation to allow a student who attends a high-need English language learner program and who resides w...

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ORSigned into law 05/2007P-12Notification of Bus Driver Driving Status
H.B. 2266
Directs Department of Transportation to notify Department of Education of suspension, cancellation or revocation of driving privileges of pe...

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TNSigned into law 05/2007P-12Bus Driver Requirements
S.B. 51
Requires school bus drivers to deposit student at student's destination and makes failure to do so Class C misdemeanor punishable by fine on...

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WASigned into law (partial veto) 05/2007P-12Bus Replacement Incentive (Lower Emissions)
H.B. 1303
Part of this bill requires the implementation of a new school bus replacement incentive program for vehicles with less emissions for the 200...

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IDSigned into law 04/2007P-12Hardship Bus Runs
S.B. 1236 (Section 10)
Clarifies uniquely difficult geographic circumstances under which a district may be reimbursed by the state board for transportation costs a...

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KSSigned into law 04/2007P-12Speeding Fines in School Zones
S.B. 8
Doubles speeding fines in school zones. Page 11 of 12: http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/8.pdf...

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KYSigned into law 04/2007P-12Use of Cell Phone by School Bus Driver
H.B. 230
Defines the term cellular telephone; prohibits the use of cellular telephones by a school bus driver; establishes the fine for using cellula...

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NDSigned into law 04/2007P-12Bus Drivers
H.B. 1334
Relates to requirements for drivers of school vehicles. Specifies that if a school vehicle for which a commercial driver's license is not re...

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NVSigned into law 04/2007P-12Bus Displaying Flashing Red Signal
A.B. 66
Requires drivers to stop at any location for a school bus displaying a flashing red light signal.
http://www.leg.state.nv.us/74th/Bills/AB/A...

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WASigned into law 04/2007P-12Methodology for Transportation Funding
S.B. 5114
The Office of Financial Management (OFM), in consultation with Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the Joint Legislati...

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VASigned into law 03/2007P-12School Bus Safety Hotline Decals
H.B. 1920
Provides that local school boards may display decals relating to local school division bus safety hotlines on school buses; local school div...

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VASigned into law 03/2007P-12School Bus Interstate/Hwy. Max Speed Limit
H.B. 1729
Increases the maximum speed limit to 60 miles per hour for school buses traveling on interstates and highways where the speed limit is great...

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VASigned into law 03/2007P-12School Bus Warning Devices
H.B. 3084
Requires that any new bus placed into service on or after July 1, 2007, shall be equipped with warning devices that, at a minimum, include a...

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VASigned into law 03/2007P-12Nonpublic school student transportation
H.B. 2302
Permits local school boards to enter into agreements with nonpublic schools in the school division to provide student transportation for a f...

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WVSigned into law 03/2007P-12Maximum School Bus Length
H.B. 2781
Modifies the statutory limitation on the length of school buses to not exceed forty-five feet, exclusive of front and rear bumpers. http://w...

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WVSigned into law 03/2007P-12School Board Personnel Mileage Reimbursement
S.B. 100
Requires local school boards to reimburse school personnel for mileage costs when they are required to use a personal motor vehicle in the c...

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WVSigned into law 03/2007P-12Education Code Amendments
H.B. 2189
Amends Education Code in the following ways:

1) Prescribes authorities of county school boards.
2) Expands purposes for which schools may e...

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AKAdopted 02/2007P-12PUPIL TRANSPORTATION
4 AAC 27
Amends rules to the Department of Education and Early Development.Adopts the national specifications and revisions into the Alaska MinimumSt...

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+ 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