ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2008 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 2008. 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
+ Accountability
+ Accountability--Measures/Indicators
+ Accountability--Reporting Results
+ 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
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol
+ Attendance
+ Attendance--Truancy
+ Background Checks
+ Bilingual/ESL
+ Business Involvement
+ Career/Technical Education
+ Career/Technical Education--Career Academies/Apprenticeship
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Finance
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Research
+ Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment
+ Choice of Schools--Innovation Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Magnet or Specialized Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Tax Credits
+ Choice of Schools--Vouchers
+ Civic Education
+ Civic Education--Character Education
+ Civic Education--Pledge of Allegiance
+ Class Size
+ Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Alignment
+ Curriculum--Arts Education
+ Curriculum--Drivers Education
+ Curriculum--Environmental Education
+ Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed.
+ Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language
+ Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education
+ Curriculum--International Education
+ Curriculum--Language Arts
+ Curriculum--Mathematics
+ Curriculum--Multicultural
+ Curriculum--Physical Education
+ Curriculum--Science
+ Curriculum--Sex Education
+ Curriculum--Social Studies/History
+ Demographics--Condition of Children/Adults
+ Demographics--Enrollments
+ 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--Federal
+ Finance--Funding Formulas
+ Finance--Local Foundations/Funds
+ Finance--Lotteries
+ 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--School Boards
+ Governance--School Boards--Training
+ 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--Exit Exams
+ High School--GED (General Education Development)
+ High School--Graduation Requirements
+ High School--International Baccalaureate
+ Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ Instructional Approaches--Single-Sex Education
+ Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
+ Leadership
+ Leadership--District Superintendent
+ 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
+ Middle School
+ Minority/Diversity Issues
+ 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--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 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 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 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 Participation--Affirmative Action
+ Postsecondary Participation--Outreach
+ 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--Transfer/Articulation
+ Private Schools
+ Privatization
+ Promotion/Retention
+ Public Involvement
+ Reading/Literacy
+ Religion
+ Religion--Scientific Creationism (Evolution)
+ Rural
+ Scheduling/School Calendar
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Day/Class Length
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Summer School
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Week
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Year
+ School Safety
+ School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution
+ School Safety--Code of Conduct
+ School Safety--Corporal Punishment
+ 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/District Structure/Operations
- School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation
CAVetoed 09/2008P-12Authorizes a county committee to approve a petition to form one or more new school districts, if specified conditions are met. Applies these requirements to transfer territory, notification of the county superintendent, and calling an election to petitions to create new districts. Designates the committee as the lead agency for purposes of the State Environmental Quality Act for petitions to transfer territory and petitions to form one or more districts. Relates to petition approval or disapproval.
http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/acsframeset2text.htm
Title: A.B. 2243
Source: http://www.assembly.ca.gov

ILSigned into law 08/2008P-12Makes modifications to district consolidations and the establishment of collaborative high schools. Makes adjustments to how revenues are established. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/95/SB/PDF/09500SB2487lv.pdf
Title: S.B. 2487
Source: www.ilga.gov

HIVetoed 07/2008P-12Creates the facilities alignment commission to establish criteria for the selection of public schools to be consolidated or closed, and to recommend to the board of education a list of schools for consolidation or closure. By June 30, 2009, requires the department of education to submit to the commission a school facilities plan based on the department's assessment of the projected student enrollment in specified areas. By December 31, 2009, requires the commission to establish the criteria for selecting schools that will be consolidated or closed. Requires the commission, prior to finalization of the school alignment selection criteria, to hold public hearings to receive public response to the commission's proposed criteria.

By February 28, 2010, based on the department's school facilities plan and the commission's final school alignment selection criteria, requires the commission to develop a preliminary list of schools to be consolidated or closed. Requires the commission to hold public hearings on the proposed closures by August 31, 2010, and to submit to the legislature prior to the convening of the 2011 regular session a report of its findings and conclusions, including a final list of recommendations for schools to be consolidated or closed.

Allows the legislature to disapprove these recommendations only in their entirety. If no legislative disapproval occurs, requires the board of education to comply with these recommendations during the 2012-2013 school year.
Bill text: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/Bills/HB2972_CD1_.htm
Governor's veto message: http://hawaii.gov/gov/leg/2008-session/veto-messages/HB2972%20SOBJ.pdf
Title: H.B. 2972
Source: www.capitol.hawaii.gov

AZSigned into law 05/2008P-12Concerns the School District Redistricting Commission; relates to rules and procedures regarding an election to approve or reject the unification of a school district; provides a method for calculating financing and budget limitations for a unified district which formerly qualified for the small school adjustment; relates to funding a new unified school district using a levy on the primary property taxes within said district. Chapter 200 http://www.azleg.gov/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=SB1443
Title: S.B. 1443
Source: http://www.azleg.gov

KSSigned into law 05/2008P-12Provides that a student enrolled in a district and attending both a non-virtual school and a virtual school must be counted as that proportion of one pupil (to the nearest one-tenth) that the student's attendance at the non-virtual school bears to full-time attendance. Provides that a student enrolled in a district and attending special education and related services and also attending a virtual school must be counted as that proportion of one pupil (to the nearest one-tenth) that the student's attendance at the non-virtual school bears to full-time attendance.

Repeals and replaces definition of virtual school.

Repeals and replaces K.S.A. 72-6455 regarding each district's high density at-risk pupil weighting. Creates new section for districts with enrollments of at least 40% but less than 50% at-risk students. Provides that each eligible district's medium density at-risk pupil weighting must be determined by the state board by multiplying the number of at-risk pupils by .06. Provides that if a school district becomes ineligible for medium density at-risk pupil weighting because enrollment of at-risk pupils in the district falls below the minimum threshold, the medium density at-risk pupil weighting of the district must be the greater of: (1) The medium density at-risk pupil weighting in the current school year; (2) the medium density at-risk pupil weighting in the prior school year; or (3) the average of the
medium density at-risk pupil weighting in the current school year and the preceding two school years. Provides that the medium density at-risk pupil weighting provisions expire on June 30, 2011.

Establishes the special education funding task force, and requires the first meeting of the task force to be held on or before August 1, 2008. Directs the special education funding task force to:
(1) Study and make recommendations for changes in the existing formula for funding of special education and related services including medicaid replacement state aid
(2) Conduct hearings and receive and consider suggestions from teachers, parents, the department of education, the state board of education, other governmental officers and agencies and the general public concerning funding for special education and related services
(3) Make and submit reports to the legislature on the work of the task force concerning recommendations of the task force. Provides that such reports must also include recommendations for legislative changes and must be submitted to the legislature before the start of each year's legislative session.
Provides that the task force shall cease to exist on June 30, 2011.

Establishes new section regarding medicaid replacement state aid. Directs the state board to designate a portion of the special education services state aid appropriation as medicaid replacement state aid. Provides that the amount so designated may not exceed $9,000,000 in any school year. Provides that each school district is entitled to medicaid replacement state aid. Provides a formula for calculating each district's medicaid replacement state aid.

Repeals and replaces K.S.A. 72-6445a regarding state financial aid for any district formed by consolidation
http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/531.pdf
Title: S.B. 531
Source: www.kslegislature.org

MESigned into law 04/2008P-12Removes language from the regional school unit authorization laws requiring the merger of bargaining units on a regional school unit-wide basis and enacts new provisions preserving existing bargaining units, existing collective bargaining agents and existing collective bargaining obligations; extends the deadline for the merger of bargaining units represented by different collective bargaining agents.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280026143&LD=1931&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: S.B. 738
Source: http://janus.state.me.us/legis/

MESigned into law 04/2008P-12Corrects the laws governing the reorganization of school administrative units; corrects the laws pertaining to the authority of school administrative units to raise and appropriate funds for adult education programs; replaces provisions that were repealed pursuant to Public Law that are related to the closure of an elementary school within a school administrative district or a community school district.
Title: H.B. 1658A
Source: http://janus.state.me.us/house/

MESigned into law 04/2008P-12Relates to school administrative unit reorganization; relates to school budgets, the election and terms of unit board members, the apportionment process, local school committees, regional planning committees, tuition where there is no elementary or secondary school, special education subsidies, smaller school units, and plans for alternative organizational structures under the school reorganization law.
http://www.state.me.us/legis/senate/
Title: S.B. 931A
Source: http://www.state.me.us/legis/senate/

UTSigned into law 03/2008P-12Modifies provisions relating to the creation of a new school district. Lengthens the time in which transition teams must be appointed. Extends the deadline for the existing school district to prepare an inventory of existing school district property. Defines a date at which existing school district property and liabilities are to be determined. Extends the deadline by which the transition teams are to determine the allocation of existing school district property. Requires transition teams to prepare a written report setting forth the property allocation. Modifies a provision relating to the reimbursement of transition team and other costs and expenses. Modifies the required content of an inventory that an existing district is required to provide. Requires transition teams to consider the value of school buildings and associated property in making the allocation of other existing district property. Requires an existing school district to make money available to the remaining district and the new district, provides for who can access and spend that money, and requires transition teams to consider that money in allocating existing district property. Requires an existing school district to transfer title of property to the new district within a certain time, except upon the mutual agreement of the school district boards. Prohibits an existing school district from transferring title to school district property without the consent of specified boards or bodies. Modifies provisions relating to the composition of the school district boards of the new district and remaining district. Clarifies application of the changes in this bill to the procedure to create a new district.
http://le.utah.gov/~2008/bills/sbillenr/sb0071.pdf
Title: S.B. 71
Source: le.utah.gov

WASigned into law 03/2008P-12Adds first-class school districts to the provisions of existing law that allow the dissolution of a directors' school district, which requires a signed petition of 20% of eligible voters to pose the question of dissolution to the voters. If approved, first-class districts must have a maximum of two at-large positions and a minimum of three director districts.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2007-08/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Law%202008/6183.SL.pdf
Title: S.B. 6183
Source: www.leg.wa.gov

MISigned into law 01/2008P-12Specifies requirements and procedures for district consolidation with respect to types of schools, finances, special education students, approval, etc.
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/publicact/pdf/2008-PA-0001.pdf
Title: S.B. 703 (sec. 605)
Source: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/

+ 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--Shared Services
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation
+ Service-Learning
+ Special Education
+ Special Education--Federal Law/Regulations
+ Special Education--Finance
+ 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--Military
+ Standards
+ State Comparisons/Statistics
+ 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--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
+ Technology
+ Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware
+ Technology--Funding Issues
+ Technology--Internet Safety
+ Technology--Teacher/Faculty Training
+ Textbooks and Open Source
+ Urban
+ Urban--Governance
+ Whole Child