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
+ 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
LAAdopted 12/2007P-12School Health Forms
LAC 28:CXV.1145
Amends sections of Bulletin 741-Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators concerning school health forms. Establishes standardized health forms to eliminate the duplication of information submitted to schools and school nurses on health information and scre...

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CASigned into law 10/2007Postsec.voter registration
S.B. 854
Allows students to submit completed voter registration forms to the Secretary of State in addition to returning the forms in person or by mail to the elections official of the county where the student lives. Requires every community college and California Stat...

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CASigned into law 10/2007P-12Student records/rights
A.B. 1168
Requires the Office of Privacy Protection in the Department of Consumer Affairs to establish a task force to conduct a review of the use by all public and private colleges and universities in this state of social security numbers in order to recommend practice...

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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, made of the interior of a school bus while the school bus is being used in the transportation of students to and from schoo...

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ILSigned into law 08/2007P-12Transfer of Rights to Special Education Student
S.B. 396
Provides that when a student eligible for special education reaches the age of 18, rights accorded to the student's parents transfer to the student. Provides that rights shall not transfer from the parents to the student if the student has been adjudged to be ...

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ILSigned into law 08/2007P-12Missing Children Records
H.B. 250
Amends the Missing Children Records Act. Requires a preschool educational program, child care facility, or day care home or group day care home in which a missing person was enrolled to flag the person's record such that whenever a copy of or information regar...

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ILSigned into law 08/2007P-12Health Data Task Force
S.B. 547
Provides that a Health Data Task Force be convened to create a system for public access to integrated health data. Requires the state superintendent of education or his/her designee to serve on the task force. Directs the task force to produce a plan focusing ...

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ILSigned into law 08/2007P-12Biometric Information
S.B. 1702
Defines ""biometric information" as any information collected through an identification process based on individuals' unique behavioral or physiological characteristics, including fingerprint, hand geometry, voice, or facial recognition or iris or retinal scan...

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ILSigned into law 08/2007P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Unique Student Identifier System
H.B. 574
Amends the Social Security Number Protection Task Force Act. Places the task force within the office of the attorney general, and makes the attorney general responsible for administering the activities of the task force.

Requires the task force to explore th...

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ILSigned into law 08/2007Postsec.
Community College
College Campus Press Act
S.B. 729
Creates the College Campus Press Act. Provides that all campus media produced primarily by students at a state-sponsored institution of higher learning is a public forum for expression by the student journalists and editors at the particular institution, and t...

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NCSigned into law 08/2007Postsec.
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...

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ORSigned into law 07/2007P-12
Postsec.
Free Speech, Free Press
H.B. 3279
The stated legislative intent for this bill is to ensure free speech and free press protections for both high school students and students at institutions of higher education in this state in order to encourage students to become educated, informed and respons...

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CTSigned into law 06/2007P-12Restraint and Seclusion of Students
S.B. 977
Relates to restraints and seclusion in public shools; concerns restriction on unreasonable restraints and seclusions of students; avoids the harmful effects of unreasonable restraints and seclusions on students; relates to special education students and studen...

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FLSigned into law 06/2007P-12Drug Testing for School Athletes
H.B. 463
Relates to public records of drug test findings in high school athletics; exempts from public records requirements findings of drug test administered to a student by a testing agency with which the state High School Athletics Association has contracted; exempt...

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OKSigned into law 06/2007P-12Rights of Student Victims
H.B. 1051
States the right of student victims to be separated from student offenders at school and during school transportation; requires the Office of Juvenile Affairs to notify school districts when a student is adjudicated for certain sex offenses; requires school di...

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ORSigned into law 06/2007P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Discrimination
H.B. 2906
Allows person claiming to be aggrieved by unlawful discrimination to file civil action in circuit court. No action shall be filed unless, within 180 days of the alleged discrimination, a grievance has been filed with the school district board, public charter s...

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TXSigned into law 06/2007P-12Students May Not Be Named
H.B. 3659
Amends Section 21.12, Penal Code, by adding Subsection (d), to prohibit the name of a person who is enrolled in a public or private primary or secondary school and involved in an
improper relationship with an educator from being released to the public and prov...

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MDSigned into law 05/2007P-12Student Record Confidentiality in Harassment Cases
H.B. 383
Requires that the information contained in a specified form relating to harassment or intimidation in schools be kept confidential with specified exceptions; provides that specified information is not a part of a student's permanent educational record.
http://...

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MNSigned into law 05/2007P-12Student Education Records
H.F. 2245 [Education Records]
Amends laws concerning student education records.
http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H2245.2.html&session=ls85...

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MNSigned into law 05/2007P-12Charter School Student Records
H.F. 2245 [Charter School Records]
Requires that closed charter school must transfer the student's educational records within 10 business days of closure to the student's school district of residence where the records must be retained or transferred.
http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldb...

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OKSigned into law 05/2007Postsec.Consumer Credit Marketing
S.B. 496
States that no institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education or technology center school within the state system of career and technology education shall enter into any agreement on or after the effective date of this act to sell student dat...

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TNSigned into law 05/2007P-12Notification Made to School Officials
H.B. 594, S.B. 579
Expands the requirements for notification of school officials of the attendance of certain delinquent juveniles by expanding the offenses for which notice must be provided, adding additional persons to be provided notice, making failure to provide the notice p...

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TNSigned into law 05/2007P-12Notice to Schools of Student Offenses
H.B. 594
Revises the offenses for which notice is required to be those described under present law and voluntary manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, sexual battery by an authority figure, statutory rape by an authority figure, a prohibited weapon offense, unla...

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TNSigned into law 05/2007P-12Potentially Dangerous Students
H.B. 665
Provides that if a child convicted of a felony or undergoing inpatient mental health treatment must attend school pursuant to a court order, the principal is to be notified; provides that the principal of the school must develop a plan to allow the student to ...

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ARSigned into law 04/2007P-12transmission of records
S.B. 274 (Student Records)
Section 41 provides for the electronic transmission of public school transcripts to correctly enroll and place students transferrred between high schools. The act also requires the Department of Educaiton to develop a uniform method of formatting and electron...

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INSigned into law 04/2007P-12Student Interrogation and Convictions
H.B. 1382
Requires a parent to be notified if a student is being interrogated by the police on school property regarding an investigation in which the student may be a
suspect. Requires a law enforcement agency to notify the chief administrative officer of the school or...

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KYSigned into law 04/2007P-12Student Record Transfer
H.B. 145
Provides that for purposes of establishing a student's status as a truant, the student's attendance record is cumulative for an entire school year. Directs the state department of education to assure that the student information system facilitates the collecti...

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ARSigned into law 03/2007P-12Data availability and student records
H.B. 2268
Requires the Department of Education to provide the Bureau of Legislative Research with direct access to certain electronic databases; requires the department provide the bureau with direct read and report only access to the data warehouse concerning school di...

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UTSigned into law 03/2007P-12Transfer Time of Student Records
H.B. 310
Requires a school that has been requested to forward a copy of a transferring student's record to the new school to comply within 30 school days of the request. http://le.utah.gov/~2007/bills/hbillenr/hb0310.htm...

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LAAdopted 02/2007P-12Statewide Assessment Standards and Practices
LAC 28:CXI.Chapters 1, 3, 5, 18, 23, 27, 33, and 35
Makes 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. Civi...

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VASigned into law 02/2007P-12Disclosing Student Identifying Information
H.B. 2631, S.B. 915
Relates to the Serious or Habitual Offenders Comprehensive Action Program; provides that a principal or designee may disclose identifying information from a student's education records for the purpose of furthering the ability of the juvenile justice system to...

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VASigned into law 02/2007P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Including Birth Certificates with Student Records
H.B. 2893
Authorizes public schools and public institutions of higher education in Virginia to retain copies of enrolled students' birth certificates as part of the students' records. http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?071+ful+HB2893ER...

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VASigned into law 02/2007P-12Information Disclosure
H.B. 2631
Provides that school personnel are authorized to disclose identifying information from a student's education records for the purpose of furthering the ability of the juvenile justice system to effectively serve the student prior to adjudication.  Identifying i...

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+ 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