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
+ 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
CASigned into law 10/2007P-12teacher retirement
S.B. 901
Extends the operation of both the State Teachers' Retirement Law and the Defined Benefit Program. Extends provisions related to an exemption based on the employer not being able to receive state apportionment or to compensation that is not creditable indefinit...

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LAApproved by voters 10/2007P-12Teacher Retirement System
Ballot No. 3
(Ballot No. 3: LAS127 2007) Proposes a constitutional amendment to provide that no benefit provision for members of any state retirement system having an actuarial cost shall be approved by the legislature unless a funding source providing new or additional fu...

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LAApproved by voters 10/2007P-12Retirement Benefits
Ballot No. 3
Proposes a constitutional amendment to provide that no benefit provision for members of any state retirement system having an actuarial cost shall be approved by the legislature unless a funding source providing new or additional funds sufficient to pay all su...

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LASigned into law 07/2007P-12Reemployment of State Retirees
S.B. 96
Relates to reemployment of state retirees; provides reemployment privileges to any member of this system who retired pursuant to an early retirement provision, whose last eligible employment was with the state or an agency in a parish designated under the Disa...

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NCSigned into law 07/2007P-12Charter School Teacher Participation in State Retirement System
H.B. 1471
Allows an existing charter school to participate in the teachers' and state employees' retirement system and the state teachers' and state employees' comprehensive major medical plan.
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2007/Bills/House/HTML/H1471v0.html...

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NCSigned into law 07/2007P-12Retired Teachers Returning to the Classroom
H.B. 956
Modifies the provision that permits retired teachers to return to the classroom without a loss of retirement benefits. Specifies that computation of post-retirement earnings of a beneficiary shall not include earnings while the beneficiary is employed to teach...

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ORSigned into law 07/2007P-12Recruiting Retired Teachers, Administrators
H.B. 2585
Allows a community college district or school district to hire a retired public employee as a teacher or administrator if the primary work duties of the public employee are performed in a county of not more than 35,000 inhabitants; allows a school district or ...

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TXSigned into law 06/2007P-12Teacher Retirement System
S.B. 1877
Adds the relevant parts of amounts received for awards for student achievement, educator excellence, and mentoring programs and all salary amounts designated as health care supplementation to the definition of "salary and wages" required to be reported and ded...

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TXSigned into law 06/2007P-12Teacher Retirement System
S.B. 1846
Provides for a centralized structure for making both funding and benefits decisions, and prohibits the state's contribution rate from dropping below the contribution rate of active members.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01846F.pdf...

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MDSigned into law 05/2007P-12Rehiring Retired Teachers
H.B. 962
Increases the minimum number of specified retirees of the Teachers' Retirement System or Teachers' Pension System that school districts may rehire; alters the criteria for hiring specified retirees of the Teachers' Retirement System or the Teachers' Pension Sy...

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TXSigned into law 05/2007P-12Teacher Retirement System Investments
S.B. 1447
Authorizes the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) board of trustees to buy and sell certain investments and other instruments commonly used by pension funds only to efficiently manage and reduce the risk of the overall investment portfolio. This bill allows deleg...

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WASigned into law 05/2007P-12Retirement contribution rates
S.B. 5014
From the final bill report: The State Actuary will submit preliminary contribution rates before the Pension Funding Council (PFC) based on current mandates, and following the actions of the PFC, prepare final actuarial valuation results and contribution rates....

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MTPassed 04/2007P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Study of Public Employee Retirement Systems
H.J.R. 59
Requests that the legislative council designate an appropriate interim committee or assign sufficient staff resources to study public employee retirements systems and produce a
legislator's guide on the state's public employee retirement plans that includes c...

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NDSigned into law 04/2007P-12Employer Contributions for Retirement
S.B. 2046
Requires employer contributions on re-employed retirees; and beginning 7/1/08 increases employer contributions by .50% and reduces benefits for new hires. Estimated fiscal impact is $2.8 million for 2007-09, and $5 million for 2009-11 biennium.
http://www.leg...

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WASigned into law 04/2007P-12Re-Employment of Retired Teachers
H.B. 1262
From Senate Report: In the Teachers' Retirement System, a retired teacher or administrator who satisfies a break in service of at least one month may be employed for up to 867 hours per school year (approximately five months of full-time employment) without an...

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VASigned into law 03/2007P-12
Postsec.
Community College
State Retirement Plan Revision
H.B. 1830
Changes participation in the deferred compensation plan for new or rehired state employees, including those of any state agency, county, municipality, authority, or other political subdivision, hired on or after January 1, 2008 to an opt-out plan rather than a...

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WVSigned into law 03/2007P-12State Teachers Retirement System Contribution Information
S.B. 134
Requires employers to provide information for contributions to the State Teachers Retirement System. http://www.legis.state.wv.us/bill_status/Bills_history.cfm?input=134&year=2007&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill...

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WVSigned into law 03/2007P-12
Postsec.
Permanent Certification Requirements; 21st Century Learner Fellows & Retirement Benefits
H.B. 2585
Until a professional educator qualifies for a permanent certificate, requires the educator who has a certificate based on a bachelor's degree to complete the following within five years from the date the certificate first became valid:

(1) File an application...

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VAPassed 02/2007P-12Statewide Educator Health Insurance Experience Pool
S.J. 372
This joint resolution of the legislature establishes a joint subcommittee to study the feasibility of a state-wide health insurance experience pool for educators and local government employees, including state and local early retirees not eligible for Medicare...

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+ 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