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From the ECS State Policy Database 2008 State Policies / Activities

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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 Counseling/Guidance 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 Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling Instructional Approaches--Single-Sex Education Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools International Baccalaureate 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 Mentoring/Tutoring 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 Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation Private Schools Privatization Promotion/Retention Public Involvement Reading/Literacy Religion Religion--Scientific Creationism (Evolution) Remediation (K-12) 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 NJ Signed into law 12/2008 P-12 Pension Fund Investment S.B. 1605 Permits board of trustees of school district pension fund in counties of the first class to invest 10 percent of funds in capital stocks or other securities issued by companies of foreign countries. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/S2000/1605_R1.PDF... More... NY Adopted 12/2008 P-12 Public Librarian Professional Development Title 8 NYCRR 90.7 Amends rules to require holders of public librarian professional certificates issued after a certain date to complete professional development. ... More... GA Adopted 10/2008 P-12 Public School Construction GAC 160-5-4-.15 Amends 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://w... More... IL Signed into law 10/2008 P-12 Lowest Responsible Bidder S.B. 2293 Revises laws requiring contracts involving an expenditure in excess of a specified amount or lower to be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. Relates to repair, maintenance, remodeling, renovation, or construction of a single project. Removes an exception... More... NY Signed into law 10/2008 P-12 Lawyers and Compensation, Health Insurance and Other Benefits S.B. 8699 Creates new part III (sections 2050 through 2054) of article 41 of the education code. Provides that a lawyer may not simultaneously be an independent contractor and an employee of a district or board of cooperative educational services (BOCES). Provides that ... More... CA Vetoed 09/2008 P-12 School/district employee files A.B. 2167 Prohibits a statement or document that is false or unsubstantiated from being placed in the personnel records of a classified employee of a local educational agency. Allows such employee to challenge, and have removed such a statement or document. Requires tha... More... CO Rule Adoption 09/2008 P-12 Regional Service Areas 1 CCR 301-76 Relates to the development, expansion, implementation, and management of regional service areas. On or before December 1, 2008, the State Board, in consultation with the Department, school districts, and boards of cooperative services, shall divide the state i... More... IL Signed into law 08/2008 P-12 Postsec. Community College Wind Generation Turbine Farms H.B. 4646 Provides that a county, municipality, school district, community college district or other unit of local government may either individually or jointly own and operate a wind generation turbine farm that reduces energy or other operating costs. Provides that su... More... IL Signed into law 08/2008 P-12 Conversion and Formation of School Districts S.B. 2487 Makes 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... More... HI Vetoed 07/2008 P-12 Facilities Alignment Commission H.B. 2972 Creates 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 depart... More... IL Signed into law 07/2008 P-12 Recycled Paper, Paper Products and Solid Waste Management H.B. 4159 Requires each school district to periodically review its procurement procedures on the purchase of products and supplies. Requires the school district to seek out products and supplies containing recycled materials and to ensure that purchased products and sup... More... LA Signed into law 06/2008 P-12 Treasurer of School Funds H.B. 305 Removes exception for Orleans Parish relative to requirements that a local public school superintendent serve as the treasurer of certain school funds and perform specified duties. http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=495037... More... LA Signed into law 06/2008 P-12 Teacher Paperwork H.B. 657 Provides that no school employee can be required by any local public school board, the state board of elementary and secondary education, or the state department of education to complete paperwork if the information provided for in such paperwork is reasonably... More... LA Signed into law 06/2008 P-12 Classroom Placement of Multiples H.B. 1247 Permits a parent of more than one child born at the same birth event to request that such children initially be placed in the same classroom or in separate classrooms. Specifies that such request must be granted. Requires a review of the placement decision aft... More... LA Signed into law 06/2008 P-12 School Bus Warranty Repair Work H.B. 197 Authorizes school bus warranty repair work to be performed by repair facilities, authorized by the manufacturer or distributor, that are not school bus dealers. Clarifies that manufacturers may authorize that warranty and other repair or maintenance services b... More... NJ Signed into law 06/2008 P-12 Postsec. Community College Energy Conservation A.B. 844 Allows local boards of education and county colleges to enter into contracts for a specified number of years for energy conservation or provision of renewable energy production at buildings owned by such entities. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/A1000/... More... OK Signed into law 06/2008 P-12 Use of District Building Space for Foundations H.B. 2935 Allows school districts to provide space in a school district building or on school district property to school foundations for office or business purposes in exchange for the financial benefits provided to the district by the foundation. http://webserver1.lsb... More... TN Signed into law 06/2008 P-12 Annual Personnel Reports S.B. 3409 Requires each local education agencies' director of schools to submit an annual personnel report to the department. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1102.pdf... More... AL Signed into law 05/2008 P-12 Competitive Bidding on Contracts H.B. 442 Relates to competitive bidding on contracts of certain state and local agencies. Increases the minimum amount of contracts subject to competitive bid. Includes city and county boards of education in the list of awarding authorities that may establish local pre... More... CO Signed into law 05/2008 P-12 Regional Service Cooperatives S.B. 38 Concerns the creation of a system of Regional Service Cooperatives throughout the state to support economic efficiencies in the delivery of effective public education services. Expands existing regional services areas from 8 to 12, including representation by ... More... KS Signed into law 05/2008 P-12 School Finance S.B. 531 Provides 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 at... More... AZ Signed into law 04/2008 P-12 school district elections S.B. 1172 Concerns voting by residents of unorganized territories in school district elections; provides procedures for cases in which the adjacent school district is a common school district that is within the boundaries of a union high school district, and for cases i... More... ME Signed into law 04/2008 P-12 School District Consolidation - Collective Bargaining S.B. 738 Removes 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 c... More... ME Signed into law 04/2008 P-12 School District Reorganization H.B. 1658A Corrects 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 purs... More... ME Signed into law 04/2008 P-12 School District Reorganization Policies S.B. 931A Relates 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 s... More... MS Signed into law 04/2008 P-12 Postsec. Teacher Compensation S.B. 2176 Increases and authorizes annual experience salary increments for teachers fore up to 35 years of experience for all certificate levels, to be phased-in over a two-year period. Commits state funding for mentor teachers that provide services to beginning teacher... More... UT Signed into law 03/2008 P-12 Use of School Buildings as Civic Centers H.B. 332 Requires all public school buildings and grounds to be made available as civic centers to district residents for supervised recreational activities and meetings. Requires local boards to adopt policies for the use of these civic centers. Requires a local board... More... WA Signed into law 03/2008 P-12 District Dissolution S.B. 6183 Adds 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-cla... More... WA Signed into law 03/2008 P-12 District Organization and Regional Committees H.B. 2635 Requires that, instead of being elected, members of regional committees (responsible for approving and disapproving proposals to change school district organization) are to be appointed by the educaitonal service districts (ESD). In cases where school district... More... NM Signed into law 02/2008 P-12 Community College Postsec. Community College and School District Elections H.B. 249 Relates to elections; allows community college elections to be held in conjunction with school district elections. http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/08%20Regular/final/HB0249.pdf... More... MI Signed into law 01/2008 P-12 School District Consolidation S.B. 703 (sec. 605) Specifies 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... More... School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation 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 Social/Emotional Learning and Non-Cognitive Skills 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 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