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
+ 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
ILSigned into law 08/2007P-12Sick Leave
H.B. 1877
Relates to school districts other than the Chicago school district. Allows sick leave for birth, adoption, or placement for adoption. http:/...

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NCSigned into law 08/2007P-12Pilot Alternative Teacher Salary Plans
H.B. 966
Requires the State Board of Education to establish a pilot program authorizing the implementation of alternative teacher salary plans to ena...

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NCSigned into law 08/2007P-12Teacher Leave Time
S.B. 914
Gives teachers credit for the excess personal leave time that they earn. Ensures that teachers can take personal leave with five days' notic...

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NYVetoed 08/2007P-12Service Credit for Laid-Off Teachers
A.B. 8445
Allows former members of the New York city teachers' retirement system who were suspended because of fiscal measures taken by New York city ...

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HIBecame law without governor's signature 07/2007P-12Career Ladder for Educational Assistants
S.B. 686
Directs the department of education to submit a report to the legislature before the regular 2008 session on a career ladder program for edu...

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NCSigned into law 07/2007P-12Reaching One's Potential for Excellence (ROPE) Scholars Pilot Program.
S.B. 1030
The purpose of the ROPE Scholars Pilot Program is to strengthen middle grades education in order to provide students with the opportunity to...

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NCSigned into law 07/2007P-12Compensation of Teachers Who Served in the Uniformed Services
H.B. 1414
Revises the law providing for creditable service in the teachers' retirement system for members who served in the uniformed services.
http:/...

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NCSigned into law 07/2007P-12High Needs Schools
S.B. 1479
Allows National Board Certified Teachers who serve as mentors, literacy coaches, or in other instructional leadership positions at high need...

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NCSigned into law 07/2007P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Teacher Absence Due to Military Service
H.B. 1415
Provides that a member of the teachers' and state employees' retirement system may not be denied short-term disability benefits due to an ab...

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NVSigned into law 06/2007P-12Pilot Performance Pay Program
A.B. 3A; (NEW BILL)
Appropriates money to provide for pilot programs of performance pay and enhanced compensation for the recruitment and retention of licensed ...

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TNSigned into law 06/2007P-12School Improvement Plans
H.B. 472
During the first year a system or school is on probation, the commissioner of education shall: (A) Have the authority to approve a school sy...

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TXVetoed 06/2007P-12
H.B. 2646
Amends the Educator Excellence Awards program to allow districts to spend certain funds awarded through the program on stipends for classroo...

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ALSigned into law 05/2007P-12Teacher Salary
H.B. 385
Relates to the salaries of public education employees; provides for a revision of the State Minimum Salary Schedule to reflect pay increases...

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IASigned into law 05/2007P-12Student Achievement/Teacher Quality program
S.F. 277 - funding provisions
Allocates $173,943,894 -- $69,600,000 above FY07. Includes $20 million for professional development; $250,000 for new administrator mentorin...

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NESigned into law 05/2007P-12School Employees Retirement Act
L.B. 508
Changes provisions of the school employees retirement act. Relates to retirement and payment of death benefits. Allows for a disability reti...

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ORSigned into law 05/2007P-12Transfer of Unused Sick Leave
H.B. 2265
Allows employees of Department of Education, school districts and education service districts to transfer unused sick leave between departme...

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TNSigned into law 05/2007P-12Self Insurance Capability
S.B. 343
Allows two or more member employers of the same trade or professional organization with at least five hundred (500) covered lives may enter ...

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TXSigned into law 05/2007P-12Access to Insurance
H.B. 973
From bill analysis: Under current law, public school employees who resign at the end of a school year are not entitled to remain on the scho...

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WASigned into law 05/2007P-12Gain-Sharing and Early Retirement
H.B. 2391
Changes rules pertaining to gain-sharing of retirement benefits for teachers hired after July 1, 2007 and changes rules regarding early reti...

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ARSigned into law 04/2007P-12Teacher compensation
S.B. 54
Establishes the Arkansas Alternative Pay Programs Act which relates to a salary amount that is part of a certified or classified school empl...

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ARSigned into law 04/2007P-12Pilot incentive pay plan
H.B. 2614
Creates a pilot program to restructure the teacher professional pay system to be known as the Rewarding Excellence in Achievement Program (R...

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FLSigned into law 04/2007P-12Merit Pay Program for Teachers
S.B. 1226
Establishes the Merit Award program for instructional personnel and school-based administrators; requires a school district board to adopt t...

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IASigned into law 04/2007P-12Performance Reviews
S.F. 277 (Section 28)
Strikes Section 284.7, subsection 4, which provided that if a performance review for a teacher is conducted in the 5th year of the teacher's...

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MTSigned into law 04/2007P-12Quality Educator Payment
S.B. 335
Provides a quality educator payment to certified teachers employed by the Youth Challenge Program which assists at-risk youth in developing ...

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VASigned into law 04/2007P-12Health Insurance Credits Retired Teachers & School Board Employees
H.B. 2370, S.B. 1218
Increases the monthly health insurance credit for retired teachers from $2.50 to $4.00 for each full year of the retired member's creditable...

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WASigned into law 04/2007P-12National Board Certification Bonuses
H.B. 2262
Provides that certificated instructional staff who have attained certification from the national board for professional teaching standards s...

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ALAct No. 2007-007 03/2007P-12Teacher Retirement
S.B. 4A
Proposes a Constitutional Amendment; requires the assets, proceeds, and income of the Retired State Employees' Health Care Trust and the Ret...

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ARSigned into law 03/2007P-12
Postsec.
Economic development
H.B. 2414
Provides for the promotion of economic development by creating a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Fund to increases the state's ab...

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MSSigned into law 03/2007P-12Teacher Salary Schedule
S.B. 2323
Increases teacher salaries under the state's teacher salary scale.
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2007/html/SB/2300-2399/SB2323P...

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ORSigned into law 03/2007P-12
Community College
Educators Benefit Board
S.B. 426
Establishes Educators Benefit Board; requires Governor to appoint members of board for four-year terms; authorizes board to contract for hea...

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UTSigned into law 03/2007P-12Educator & School Personnel Salary Increases & Bonuses
H.B. 382
Provides salary increases and bonuses for educators and bonuses for classified personnel employed by school districts, charter schools, and ...

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VASigned into law 03/2007P-12Education Postemployment Benefits Funding
S.B. 789
Provides that counties, cities, towns, school divisions, and certain political subdivisions may establish local trusts or equivalent arrange...

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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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WVSigned into law 03/2007P-12Teacher Salaries & Bonuses; Service Personnel
H.B. 2777
Increases annual salaries of public school teachers; increases the annual salary bonus for teachers with National Board for Professional Tea...

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WVSigned into law 03/2007P-12Early Notification Payment
S.B. 599
Eliminates the early notification payment for a teacher who gives notice of resignation; authorizes a payment for early notification of reti...

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WVSigned into law 02/2007P-12Retired Teachers as Substitutes & Retirement Benefits
H.B. 2105
Extends the expiration date of provisions permitting retired teachers to accept employment as substitutes in areas of critical need and shor...

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+ 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