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
UTAdopted 10/2007P-12Requires all charter schools to have a committee consisting of a majority of parents designated to make decisions regarding School LAND Trust Program funds. Requires all charter schools to have a current school plan for enhancing or improving academic excellence, approved by the State Charter School Board for state chartered schools.
Title: R277-477-3
Source: www.lexis.com

HISigned into law 06/2007P-12Clarifies the significant role of the board of education in policymaking for charter schools, including:
         (A)  Appointing members of the charter school review panel; and
         (B)  Serving as an appeals board for charter school applicants or charter schools that do not agree with the decisions of the charter school review panel.
    
Delegates to the charter school review panel the responsibilities to:
         (A)  Approve or deny charter applications for new charter schools;
         (B)  Issue and revoke charters, and place charter schools on probation;
         (C)  Approve or deny amendments to detailed implementation plans;
         (D)  Conduct charter school evaluations; and
         (E)  Appoint and evaluate the executive director of the charter school administrative office.

Changes the membership of the panel.

Clarifies how the executive director of the charter school administrative office is appointed and evaluated.

Shifts the burden of providing staff and resources for the charter school review panel from the board of education to the charter school administrative office.

Updates the charter school funding mechanism, including ensuring that funding allocations to the charter schools are based on the most recent department of education budget base.
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessioncurrent/Bills/SB603_CD1_.htm
Title: S.B. 603
Source: www.capitol.hawaii.gov

COSigned into law 05/2007P-12Concerns the use of school district facilities by charter schools. Charter schools may purchase a building and grounds, at a district's descretion. If a charter school vacates the building, the district will have first right of refusal to reacquire and purchase the property.
http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/E20107CBD7978AAE87257251007D498D?open&file=1178_enr.pdf
Title: H.B. 1178
Source: Colorado Legislature

GASigned into law 05/2007P-12Enacts the Charter Systems Act. Amends definitions of "charter," "charter petitioner," "local revenue," and "petition," and adding definitions of "charter system," "governing council," "school-level governance," and "system charter school." Provides procedures for the establishment of charter systems. Provides that, with exceptions, all schools within a charter system are system charter schools. Directs the state board of education to establish rules to allow a local school district to submit a petition to establish a charter system. Provides that such rules must include specific components toward the goal of maximizing school level governance and the involvement of parents, teachers, and community members in such governance.

Directs the state board, subject to legislative appropriation, to disburse planning grants to local school systems that wish to become charter systems, and to disburse $125,000 implementation grants to each charter system. Authorizes the state board to approve up to 5 petitions for charter systems during the 2008 fiscal year, and in following years to approve up to a maximum number of petitions as may be established in board rules and as subject to availability of funding for
implementation grants.

Directs the state board to establish a charter advisory committee to review charter petitions for compliance with established standards, and to make recommendations to the state board on charter policy and petitions.

Amends code section 20-2-2064 relating to the approval or denial of a charter petition. Amends code section 20-2-2064.1 relating to the review of a charter by the state board, by directing the state board to give all due consideration to input from the charter advisory committee. Amends code section 20-2-2065, relating to operating requirements, control, and management. Amends code section 20-2-2067.1 relating to the amendment of the terms of charter for a charter school, the initial term of a charter, and an annual report. Revises code section 20-2-2068, relating to charter amendments and terminations. Amends code section 20-2-2068.1 (effective July 1, 2008), relating to the application of the Quality Basic Education Formula, grants, local tax revenue, and funds from local bonds. Adds new language directing that, for system charter schools, federal, state, and local revenue be distributed to each such school by the charter system with an objective of maximizing spending at the school level. Amends code section 20-2-2069, relating to the office of charter school compliance, to add references to charter systems and the charter advisory committee.

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/pdf/sb39.pdf
Title: S.B. 39
Source: www.legis.state.ga.us

DESigned into law 04/2007P-12Requires the Department of Education to develop a standardized format for the reporting of the local school district or charter school budget to the public.
http://www.legis.state.de.us/LIS/lis144.nsf/vwLegislation/HB+21/$file/0801440478.doc?open
Title: H.B. 21
Source: Delaware Legislature

NMSigned into law 04/2007P-12Creates fund relating to charter school facilities funding. Provides procedures for meeting the needs of state-chartered and locally chartered charter schools for adequate facilities.
http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/07%20Regular/final/SB0634.pdf
Title: S.B. 634
Source: http://legis.state.nm.us/

NMVetoed 04/2007P-12Adds the charter school student activities program unit into the program cost calculation.
http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/07%20Regular/final/HB0513.pdf
Title: H.B. 513
Source: http://legis.state.nm.us

UTSigned into law 03/2007P-12Modifies charter school application and authorization provisions; modifies certain requirements for charter schools, including those relating to charter school assets, school closures, and application, enrollment and withdrawal of a student from a charter school; modifies charter school funding provisions; regulates certain transactions and relationships relating to charter schools; requires a criminal background check for teachers applying to charter schools. This bill coordinates with H.B. 3 by providing that certain amendments in this bill supersede the amendments in H.B. 3 and that certain amendments in H.B. 3 supersede the amendments in this bill. This bill also coordinates with H.B. 160 by providing that certain amendments in this bill supersede the amendments in H.B. 160 and that certain amendments in H.B. 160 supersede the amendments in this bill. http://le.utah.gov/~2007/bills/hbillenr/hb0164.htm
Title: H.B. 164
Source: http://www.le.state.ut.us/

UTSigned into law 03/2007P-12Creates the State Charter School Financing Authority; defines the authority's powers and duties, including the power to issue obligations
under the Utah Industrial Facilities and Development Act; provides that obligations issued by the authority do not constitute a debt, moral
obligation, or liability of the state or any political subdivision of the state. http://le.utah.gov/~2007/bills/hbillamd/hb0318.htm
Title: H.B. 318
Source: http://www.le.state.ut.us/

VASigned into law 03/2007P-12Establishes the Public Charter School Fund for the purposes of establishing or supporting public charter schools in Virginia that stimulate the development of alternative public education programs. http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?071+ful+HB2311ER
Title: H.B. 2311
Source: http://legis.state.va.us/

+ 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
+ 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