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
+ 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
ILSigned into law 08/2007P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Agricultural Science Teacher Training Continuum and Incentive Funding Grants
H.B. 1922
Subject to appropriation, requires the state board of education to develop a secondary-level agricultural science teacher training continuum...

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ILSigned into law 08/2007P-12Grow Your Own Teacher Education Act
S.B. 446
Amends the Grow Your Own Teacher Education Act regarding the definition of hard-to-staff school. Changes the term "target schools" to "eligi...

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MAIssued 08/2007P-12
Postsec.
Community College
The Readiness Project
Executive Order No. 489
Establishes the Readiness Project to develop a plan to implement fundamental and systemic reforms to public education in the Commonwealth ov...

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NCSigned into law 08/2007P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Teacher Assistant Scholarship Fund
H.B. 851
Clarifies the educational requirement for the teacher assistant scholarship fund. Requires that an applicant for a scholarship from the fund...

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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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NYVetoed 08/2007P-12Retired Police Personnel As New York Teachers
S.B. 3994
Allows retired members of the New York city police pension fund to collect their pensions while providing teaching service in the city of Ne...

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HIBecame law without governor's signature 07/2007P-12Hawaii Educator Loan Program
H.B. 777
Amends eligibility requirements for the Hawaii educator loan program. Adds that loans will be awarded to teaching candidates as well as exis...

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HIBecame law without governor's signature 07/2007P-12Felix Stipend Revolving Fund
H.B. 15
Establishes the Felix stipend revolving fund, to be used by the department of education to deposit moneys received as repayment from student...

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LASigned into law 07/2007P-12Tax Credit for Teachers Returning to Katrina-Struck Districts
H.B. 847
Provides for a $1,000 individual income tax credit in 2007 and 2008 for teachers re-employed by a school board in certain parishes which hav...

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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 re...

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NCIssued 07/2007P-12Programs for At-Risk Children
Executive Order No. 120
Accelerates teacher and other personnel recruitment and the implementation of needed academic support programs for at-risk children in light...

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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 comput...

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NCSigned into law 07/2007P-12Pilot Program for Lateral Entry Teachers
S.B. 1115
Directs the state board to establish a pilot program for lateral entry teachers in up to eight local school administrative units. Establishe...

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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 d...

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TXSigned into law 07/2007P-12Modifies Use of Rewards
H.B. 2399
House Bill 2399 amends the Education Code to allow a school campus to use the 25 percent of its student achievement program award that is no...

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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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OKSigned into law 06/2007P-12Amends Education Leadership Oklahoma Program
S.B. 586
Relates to the Education Leadership Oklahoma program; requires the Commission for Teacher Preparation to emphasize recruiting efforts towar...

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CTSigned into law 05/2007P-12International Teacher Permits
S.B. 1287
Relates to visiting international teacher permits; establishes a durational permit to qualify certain visiting international teachers to tea...

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KSSigned into law 05/2007P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Teacher Service Scholarship
H.B. 2185
Amends provisions of the Teacher Service Scholarship program and creates the Teacher Education Competitive Grant Program. Repeals Mathematic...

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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 ...

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MOSigned into law 05/2007P-12Teaching Fellows Program
S.B. 389 [Teaching Fellows]
Creates the teaching fellows program. For each of the first four years that an applicant teaches in a qualifying district, up to one-fourth ...

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MTSigned into law 05/2007P-12Quality Educator Loan Assistance Program
S.B. 2A (Teacher Recruitment)
Creates a quality educator loan assistance program administered by the board of regents through the office of the commissioner of higher edu...

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IDSigned into law 04/2007P-12Potential Study on the Challenges of Rural Schools
S.B. 1236 (Section 7)
Authorizes the Superintendent of Public Instruction to expend $100,000 of a state appropriation to conduct a study and develop plans that ad...

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NYSigned into law 04/2007P-12Science and Mathematics Tuition Reimbursement Program
S.B. 2107 - Part B, Section 36
Creates science and mathematics tuition reimbursement program. Provides that of the amount appropriated for grants to schools for the 2007-2...

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WASigned into law 04/2007P-12Aids in Recruitment
H.B. 1432
Grants service credit to educational staff associates for nonschool employment; provides that the calculation of years of service for occupa...

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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 ...

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WASigned into law 04/2007P-12Leadership Academy, Teacher Recruitment and Development
S.B. 5955
Enacts provisions addressing a state leadership academy, teacher preparation and certification programs, teacher professional development pr...

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ARTo governor 03/2007P-12Study of teacher support systems
S.C.R. 19
Requests a study be conducted to determine the essential components of an exemplary statewide teacher support system and requesting the depa...

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ILAdopted 03/2007P-12Early Childhood Teacher Preparation Assistance Grant
23 IAC 70.10, .20, .30, .40, .50, .60, .70, .80.
Goal of the grant program is to address the shortages experienced by all state-funded preschool education programs of teachers holding Type ...

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NDSigned into law 03/2007P-12Allows Higher Salaries for Hard-to-Fill Positions
H.B. 1177
For vacant teaching positions where all means have been taken to recruit a qualified candidate, and where only 45 days remain to the start o...

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SDSigned into law 03/2007P-12Expands Use of State Institute Fund
S.B. 68
Adds support activities related to school accreditation and teacher training and retention to the list of purposes for use of the State Inst...

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UTSigned into law 03/2007P-12Terrel H. Bell Teaching Incentive Loans Program Appropriation
H.B. 241
Provides an ongoing appropriation subject to future budget constraints of $1,200,000 from the Education Fund beginning with fiscal year 2007...

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UTSigned into law 03/2007P-12Public Education Job Enhancement Program Expansion
H.B. 240
Expands the positions that may qualify for cash awards and scholarships under the Public Education Job Enhancement Program, which is used to...

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VASigned into law 03/2007P-12Grants for Home Ownership
S.B. 1292
In order to ensure its competitiveness as an employer, a locality may, by ordinance, provide for the use of funds, other than state funds, t...

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ILAdopted 02/2007P-12"Grow Your Own" Teacher Education Initiative
23 IAC 60.20, .80, .90, .100
Clarifies rules regarding the "Grow Your Own" program. Amends definitions of "hard-to-staff school" and "hard-to-staff teaching position" to...

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VASigned into law 02/2007P-12Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program changes
H.B. 1913
Amends the Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program to increase the number of teacher candidates pursuing careers in critical teacher shor...

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WYSigned into law 02/2007P-12School District Teacher Incentive Program
S.B. 100
Provides incentive reimbursement payments to school districts employing teachers holding national board certification and imposes reporting ...

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WYSigned into law 02/2007Postsec.
Community College
Foreign Language Teacher Loan Repayment Program
H.B. 182
Amends the teacher shortage loan repayment program to include students pursuing degrees to become foreign language teachers; transfers admin...

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GAAdopted 01/2007P-12Title IIA Program Grant
GAC 160-1-4-.273
Establishes rules regarding the Title IIA Program Grant, which distributes funds for schools with a proven spending record of Title IIA fund...

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+ 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