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
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+ Finance--Aid to Private Schools
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+ 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
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+ High School
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+ High School--Dropout Rates/Graduation Rates
+ High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment
+ High School--Exit Exams
+ High School--GED (General Education Development)
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+ Instructional Approaches--Single-Sex Education
+ Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
+ Leadership
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+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Evaluation and Effectiveness
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+ Middle School
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+ No Child Left Behind
+ No Child Left Behind--Adequate Yearly Progress
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+ 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
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+ P-3 Grades 1-3
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+ Postsecondary
+ Postsecondary Accountability
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+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees
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+ 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
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+ Postsecondary Students--Foster Youth
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+ Private Schools
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+ Rural
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+ School Safety
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+ School Safety--Code of Conduct
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+ 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
- School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities
CARule Adoption 10/2008P-12Amends rules concerning the Leroy F Greene School Facilities Act of 1998. Adds components to the enrollment projection calculation method used to establish eligibility for school facilities program (SFP) new construction funding. CALIFORNIA 18833
Title: Title 2 CCR Sec(s) 1859.2, 1859.41, 1859.41.1, 1859.42, 1859.42.1,1859.43, 1859.51, 1859.147
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

GAAdopted 10/2008P-12Amends rule to address processing of plans and specifications for public school construction for the board. Specifies that rule must apply to all public school construction projects regardless of project funding source unless certain exemptions apply.
http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/doe/legalservices/160-5-4-.15.pdf
Title: GAC 160-5-4-.15
Source: www.doe.k12.ga.us

ILSigned into law 10/2008Community CollegeAuthorizes the board of trustees of a community college district to make the buildings of a community college available for emergency purposes, and to cooperate with the state emergency management agency, local emergency management agencies, state-certified, local public health departments, the American Red Cross and federal agencies concerned with emergency preparedness and response. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/95/SB/PDF/09500SB2690lv.pdf
Title: S.B. 2690
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

CAVetoed 09/2008P-12
Community College
Adds the acquisition and construction of residential rental property to be used to house teachers and employees of a school district or community college district to the purpose for which a district is authorized to issue bonds. Provides that such property is not a school facility and prohibits it from being deemed such property. Prohibits the apportionment of funds for acquisition or construction of such property. Prohibits the bonds from being considered for capital outlay school facility purposes.
http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/acsframeset2text.htm
Title: A.B. 1112
Source: http://www.assembly.ca.gov

CASigned into law 09/2008P-12Relates to the Charter Schools Facilities Program under the Leroy F. Green School Facilities Act of 1998 that provides funding to qualifying entities for the purpose of establishing school facilities for charter school pupils, and regulations that provide for the payment schedule for lease payments in lieu of local matching funds and requires the payments to include interest at a rate paid in moneys in the Pooled Money Investment Account. Revises the manner in which the interest rate is determined. Chapter 273
http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/acsframeset2text.htm
Title: A.B. 2033
Source: http://www.assembly.ca.gov

CAVetoed 09/2008P-12Revises the process by which a governing board of a school district calculates the maximum fee, against school facility construction that may be collected. Provides that any member of the public would be able to request a meeting with the board to discuss and understand school facilities needs analysis and the governing board would be required to hold a meeting as requested a certain number of days prior to the public hearing to adopt the school facilities needs analysis.
http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/acsframeset2text.htm
Title: A.B. 2173
Source: http://www.assembly.ca.gov

CASigned into law 09/2008P-12Requires the Division of the State Architect to develop uniform criteria for precheck approval processes for solar design plans for a school facility that comply with the rules and regulations adopted by the Department of General Services and the applicable requirements of the State Building Standards Code. Requires the department to complete review of such design plan applications submitted by a school district that conform with the standards and to act on corrected applications.
Chapter 653
http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/acsframeset2text.htm
Title: A.B. 1062
Source: http://www.assembly.ca.gov

CASigned by Governor 07/2008P-12Makes technical changes to the California Environmental Quality Act that prohibits an environmental impact report for any project involving the purchase of a schoolsite or the construction of a new elementary or secondary school by a school district unless specified conditions are met. Defines hazardous air emissions and extremely hazardous substances for the Act that prohibits the certification of a report or approval of a negative declaration for a project near a school emitting such substances. Chapter 148
http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/acsframeset2text.htm
Title: A.B. 2720
Source: http://www.assembly.ca.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

LAVetoed 07/2008P-12Creates the Statewide Educational Facilities Authority in the department of education to provide funding, coordination, assistance and oversight for the repair, renovation and construction of public school facilities. Directs the authority to conduct a statewide assessment of such facilities and develop a formula and mechanism to prioritize applications for funding for local projects submitted by local boards based on best practices. Creates the Educational Facilities Advisory Council to provide advice and input to the Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Authority board of commissioners to inform policy and funding decisions made by the board.
Bill text: http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=498623
Veto message: http://www.legis.state.la.us/archive/08rs/veto/sb632v.pdf
Title: S.B. 632
Source: www.legis.state.la.us

MOSigned into law 07/2008P-12Creates the Rebuild Missouri Schools Program to allow loans to rebuild certain damaged school facilities.
Title: S.B. 1170
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

NHSigned into law 07/2008P-12Makes changes to the process for proration of funds for school building aid grants; transfers authority over questions on the location of school buildings from the county commissioners to the State Board of Education; requires the school building authority to work with the State Board of Education on matters concerning school facilities.
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2008/HB1446.html
Title: H.B. 1446
Source: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us

NHSigned into law 06/2008P-12
Postsec.
Establishes a commission to study air quality issues in public school buildings; provides for membership and compensation and a report; provides duties include the study of air quality issues in public school buildings and feasibility of implementing air quality standards and performing regular air quality inspections, investigations and recommendations regarding successful, cost-effective, alternative initiatives developed to address issues and to solicit and accept grants, gift or donations.
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2008/HB1171.html
Title: H.B. 1171
Source: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us

AKSigned into law 05/2008P-12Extends specified public school bond debt reimbursement; relates to school construction and maintenance grants; relates to the required participating share for a municipal school district which is based on the district's full value per average daily membership calculated by dividing the full and true value of the taxable real and personal property in the district for the same fiscal year for which the valuation was made. Chapter 107
http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/house/23/WLS.htm
Title: H.B. 373
Source: http://w3.legis.state.ak.us

MNVetoed 05/2008P-12Relates to school district development screening aide, teacher and administrator licensure, district teacher compensation aide, district debt service equalization aid, non-resident student enrollment, an advisory council on early childhood education and care, adult basic education aid, general education revenue, district land or building leasing, safe schools levies, district borrowing, district repayment defaults, district tax abatement adjustments, testing and reports, and school breakfast programs.
https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H0006.5.html&session=ls85
Title: H.B. 6
Source: https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us

CAAdopted 04/2008P-12Amends rules concerning the state school deferred maintenance program (DMP). Provides state matching funds, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, to assist school districts with expenditures for major repair or replacement of existing school building components. Outlines the source of funds from which districts can deposit their matching share into the district deferred maintenance fund.
Title: Title 2 CCR Sec(s) 1866.1.3, 1866.4.3, 1866.13
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

CAAdopted 03/2008P-12Clarifies and expands existing provisions with regards to facilities and the operation and maintenance of charter schools. Adds content to the section pertaining to procedures and timeliness for dispute resolution.
Title: Title 5 CCR
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

COSigned into law 03/2008P-12Creates the Governors energy office; provides that the energy office will work with communities, utilities, organizations and individuals to promote renewable energies, promote high performance buildings, make government and public schools more energy efficient, promote economic development, create a wind for schools project, distribute funds to the renewable energy authority, provide home energy efficiency improvements for low income homes and develop renewable energy curricula for higher education.
http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2008a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/7DCA9D63A44957D08725737F00732CD3?open&file=1025_enr.pdf
Title: H.B. 1025
Source: http://www.leg.state.co.us/

NESigned into law 03/2008P-12Relates to energy financing contracts; increases the maximum amount of time for repayment for energy financing contracts after the installation of the energy conservation measures; increases the maximum amount of time for repayment of energy financing contracts for school boards; provides for a performance bond; requires disclosure of interest rates.
Title: L.B. 747
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

WISigned into law 03/2008P-12Authorizes a school board to construct or acquire, own, operate, and maintain a renewable resource facility. The energy generated by the facility may be used for school district facilities or th board may sell the energy generated by the facility at wholesale, if the school board's share of the installed capacity of the facility does not exceed 5 megawatts and the school board incorporates information about the facility in its curriculum.
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2007/data/AB-625.pdf
Title: A.B. 625
Source: www.legis.state.wv.us

NYSigned into law 01/2008P-12Directs the commissioner of education to review ventilation and air temperature conditions in public school cafeterias in New York City. Requires a report to be made specifying those schools where improvements in infrastructure or other investments of funds would be most effective in removing threats to the health and safety of employees working in the cafeteria and the estimated cost of such improvements. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=S06487&sh=t
Title: S.B. 6487
Source: assembly.state.ny.us

+ 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
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+ Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance
+ Student Supports--Mentoring/Tutoring
+ Student Supports--Remediation
+ Students
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+ Students--Incentives
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+ 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