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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 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 MA Signed into law 12/2008 P-12 Idling of Vehicles on School Grounds S.B. 2628 Improves school campus air quality; restricts idling of school buses and personal motor vehicles on school grounds. http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/185/st02/st02628.htm... More... MA Signed into law 12/2008 P-12 Bus Driver Training in First Aid H.B. 4396 Relates to the licensing of school bus drivers; requires such drivers to be trained in a basic course in first aid including the administration of an epinephrine auto injector; adds the term sex offender to sections governing in licensure of such drivers. http... More... CA Signed into law 09/2008 P-12 transportation A.B. 830 Provides a school or a school district would not be liable for transportation services provided by an operator of a charter-party carrier for which neither has contracted, arranged, or provided. Requires the review and, if necessary, revision of training and o... More... NY Vetoed 09/2008 P-12 Child Living Less Than 2 Miles from School S.B. 1543 Allows board of education to provide transportation to school for a child living a lesser distance than two miles from school if the parent or guardian of the child is nonambulatory and unable to accompany the child to and from school. http://assembly.state.ny... More... NM Signed into law 08/2008 P-12 Funds for Higher Transportation Costs H.B. 2A Appropriates money from the general fund to the Public Education Department to provide supplemental funding to school districts for higher school bus fuel costs; provides that the distribution of funding shall be based on miles traveled for to-and- from transp... More... IL Signed into law 07/2008 P-12 Crossing Railroad Tracks S.B. 2182 Requires a driver of a school bus to open the service door and driver's window before crossing a railroad track or tracks. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/95/SB/PDF/09500SB2182lv.pdf... More... LA Signed into law 07/2008 P-12 Passing Vehicles in School Zones H.B. 1367 Prohibits passing other motor vehicles in school zones during posted hours. http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=504101... More... RI Signed into law 07/2008 P-12 Automated Bus Traffic Violation Monitoring S.B. 2909 Authorizes the State and its municipalities to install automated systems on school buses to detect and monitor school bus traffic violations; takes effect upon passage; relates to video monitoring systems; relates to vendors; provides that reimbursement shall ... More... CA Rejected by voters 06/2008 P-12 Fuel costs V. 19 2008 Ballot., Proposition 10, Petition 1332 (07-0101, Amdt. 2S). Creates the Renewable Energy and Clean Alternative Fuel Act. Authorizes the issuance of a specified amount of bonds to provide cash payments to purchasers of certain high fuel economy and alterna... More... LA Signed into law 06/2008 P-12 Cell Phones and Bus Drivers H.B. 402 Prohibit school bus operators from using cell phones while driving. Provides exceptions for enumerated emergency situations. Provides that a violation of this prohibition is a misdemeanor, and establishes maximum penalties. http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdat... 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... LA Signed into law 06/2008 P-12 Crossing Railroad Tracks H.B. 1362 Requires school buses, whether transporting passengers or not, and motor vehicles carrying passengers for hire, to stop at railroad crossings and only proceed when safe to do so. Requires a school bus driver, after coming to a complete stop, to open the door o... More... DE Signed into law 05/2008 P-12 State Board Oversight of School Buses H.B. 231 Removes State Board of Education oversight over the design and operation of school buses. http://legis.delaware.gov/LIS/lis144.nsf/vwLegislation/HB+231/$file/legis.html?open... More... GA Signed into law 05/2008 P-12 School Bus Safety Week H.B. 790 Declare the third week of October "School Bus Safety Week." http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/pdf/hb790.pdf... More... GA Signed into law 05/2008 P-12 School Bus Drivers Appreciation Day H.B. 791 Declares the third Monday of October "School Bus Drivers Appreciation Day." http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/pdf/hb791.pdf... More... GA Signed into law 05/2008 P-12 School Bus Routes and Railroad Crossings H.B. 426 Relates to the installation of protective devices at railroad grade crossings. Requires that school districts annually provide the department of transportation with a list identifying each rail crossing that does not have active warning devices on an establish... More... MN Signed into law 05/2008 P-12 School Bus Drivers S.B. 2988 Relates to pupil transportation and type III school bus drivers; provides a holder of a class D driver's license, without a school bus endorsement, may operate a type III bus if the operator is an employee of the entity that owns, lease, or contracts for the s... More... TN Signed into law 05/2008 P-12 Special Hazards/Access to Transportation S.B. 3080 Requires districts upon request of a parent to survey area within one and one-half miles of school to determine if any special hazards for students walking to such school exist; The district is required to send positive findings to the commissioner of transpor... More... CO Signed into law 04/2008 P-12 School Bus Safety Signals H.B. 1339 Concerns school bus safety signals requirements; replaces current statutory equipment standards for a school bus with the current federal regulation. http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2008a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/A22AB294A072C406872573A700643FE1?open&file=133... More... KY Signed into law 04/2008 P-12 Transportation of Nonpublic School Students H.B. 655 By September 30 of each year, requires the secretary of the transportation cabinet to report to the general assembly's interim committee on appropriations and revenue the following information for those fiscal court applications received by the transportation ... More... NY Signed into law 03/2008 P-12 Restraining School Bus Passengers Age 4-7 S.B. 6421 Requires school bus passengers between the age of four and seven to be restrained in accordance with one of the methods set forth in subdivision one or two of section 1229-c of the vehicle and traffic code (vehicle and traffic code accessible through this link... More... UT Signed into law 03/2008 P-12 Idling School Buses H.B. 146 Modifies the Environmental Quality Code and the Motor Vehicles Code by amending provisions relating to school buses. Requires the state board of education to adopt idling reduction standards and implement an idling reduction program. Appropriates funds for a c... More... VA Signed into law 03/2008 P-12 No Bus Drivers Under Age 18 H.B. 1160 Removes the exclusion for drivers of school buses that allowed children under 18 years of age to work as as a driver of a truck or commercial vehicle of more than two axles. In other words, prohibits drivers under the age of 18 to drive a school bus. http://le... More... VA Signed into law 03/2008 P-12 No Wireless Communications Devices for Bus Drivers H.B. 1218 Prohibits use of wireless telecommunications devices by persons operating school buses, except in emergencies or when the vehicle is lawfully parked and for the purposes of dispatching. Does not apply to two-way radio devices authorized by the owner of the sch... More... VA Signed into law 03/2008 P-12 No Wireless Telecommunications While Operating A Bus S.B. 136 Prohibits use of wireless telecommunications devices by persons operating school buses, except in emergencies, or when the vehicle is lawfully parked and for the purposes of dispatching.  Use of two-way radio devices authorized by the school bus owner, however... More... MI Signed into law 01/2008 P-12 Student Transportation Policies S.B. 730 (sec. 1321) Specified policies and requirements for transporting students to schools. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/publicact/pdf/2008-PA-0001.pdf... More... 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