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
+ 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
+ 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
ILSigned into law 12/2008P-12Truancy
S.B. 2743
Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that if a code violation involves a municipal ordinance regulating truants, the hearing date must be 7 to 40 days after the violation is reported. Increases minimum child age for which certain truancy provisions app...

More...
CAVetoed 09/2008P-12student records
A.B. 2630
Amends existing law which prohibits a school district from permitting access to pupil records to any person without written parental consent or judicial order. Makes various changes to those access to pupil record provisions to conform them to federal law.
htt...

More...
CAVetoed 09/2008P-12
Postsec.
Student records
A.B. 2994
Requires a school district to include a notice in an emergency information request form informing a parent or guardian and pupil of their right to request that the pupil's name, address, and phone number not be released to military recruiters or institutions o...

More...
ILSigned into law 08/2008P-12Assorted Amendments to the School Code
S.B. 2482
Repeals the Professional Development Block Grant. Amends requirements related to annual census for special education, such that census must include students age 3 to 21 (rather than birth to 21) receiving special education services. Eliminates requirement that...

More...
CASigned into law 07/2008P-12
Postsec.
Student records
S.B. 1696
Provides that a state or local agency may not allow another party to control the disclosure of information that is otherwise subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act. Provides that any contract entered into by a state or local agency subject to the a...

More...
LASigned into law 06/2008P-12Immunization Compliance Reports
H.B. 184
Requires the chief administrators of all public and private elementary and secondary schools, kindergartens, colleges, universities, proprietary schools, vocational schools and licensed day care centers to electronically transmit immunization compliance report...

More...
LASigned into law 06/2008P-12Relations between Students and School Employees
H.B. 574
Requires the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to adopt regulations prohibiting interaction between a student and a school employee in any enclosed area on school property unless an authorized adult is present or the student and employee are cl...

More...
LASigned into law 06/2008Postsec.
Community College
Student Immunization Reports
H.B. 187
Requires all public and nonpublic postsecondary education institutions to electronically transmit immunization compliance reports to the department of health and hospitals, office of public health, when the institution operates an existing student-specific ele...

More...
MOSigned into law 06/2008P-12Student records
H.B. 2041
Relates to the disclosure of personnel records and confidential unemployment information by the Division of Employment Security, vocational and technical education, unemployment claims qualification requirements, prohibited employment practices, war on terror ...

More...
OHSigned into law 06/2008P-12Records of Students Identified as Missing Children
H.B. 181
Requires public and nonpublic schools to mark the records of students identified as missing children and to notify law enforcement of requests for those records; provides the law enforcement agency involved shall integrate into the national crime information c...

More...
TNSigned into law 06/2008Postsec.Notification of Disciplinary Violations
S.B. 4108
Requires a public institution of higher education to notify a parent or legal guardian of a student under 21 years of age who has committed a disciplinary violation with respect to the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance that is in violation...

More...
MNVetoed 05/2008P-12Omnibus Education Policy Bill
S.B. 3001
Authorized a parent or guardian of a student to designate an individual to participate in a school conference involving the child of the parent or guardian. Authorized the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Office of Higher Education may each ...

More...
TNSigned into law 05/2008P-12School Notification Required
H.B. 2719
Adds aggravated sexual battery and aggravated sexual battery of a child to the crimes of which a child's school must be notified when the child has been adjudicated delinquent involving such offenses. - Amends TCA Section 37-1-131.
http://www.legislature.stat...

More...
TNSigned into law 05/2008Postsec.Restricts Credit Card Solicitations
H.B. 3393
Adds a new section of law that restricts credit card and other credit solicitations to college students while on campus.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB3393.pdf...

More...
AZSigned into law 04/2008P-12Student records
S.B. 1218
Provides that any collection, maintenance or disclosure of pupil educational records compiled by the Department of Education in an educational database of pupil records shall comply with the Family Educational and Privacy Rights Act; provides rules for the man...

More...
KYSigned into law 04/2008P-12School Safety
H.B. 91
Requires any school or local board employee who knows or has cause to believe that a student has been the victim of a violation of any felony offense committed by another student on school premises, on school-sponsored transportation, or at a school-sponsored ...

More...
MDSigned into law 04/2008P-12Military Recruitment and Student Rights
S.B. 428
Requires public schools to provide notice to specified students or the parents or guardians of the students about the right not to release student contact information to military recruiters; requires public schools to include the notice in a specified format, ...

More...
TNSigned into law 04/2008Postsec.Satisfaction of Debts Prior to Grade Reports
S.B. 4046
Present law authorizes the University of Tennessee and all its several branches, and all colleges and universities of the state college and university system and technical institutes, to issue diplomas, certificates of credit or grade reports only after the st...

More...
ILAdopted 03/2008P-12Special Education Facilities
23 IAC 401.10, .30, .210
Emergency rule (expires 8-18-08) includes a new provision expressly prohibiting the "use of a behavioral intervention strategy relying upon pain as an intentional
method of control" by any program operated at a facility serving students with disabilities. Requ...

More...
MSSigned into law 03/2008P-12Evidence of Date of Birth
S.B. 2885
Deletes the repealer on the provisions which prescribes the type of evidence of date of birth required for a child to enroll in public school.
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2008/pdf/SB/2800-2899/SB2885SG.pdf...

More...
ORSigned into law 03/2008P-12Records-Sharing for Safety Purposes
S.B. 1092A
Requires district attorney or other person filing juvenile delinquency petition to notify school when student of school is subject of petition alleging certain criminal acts; requires principal to notify necessary school personnel of petition; permits expungem...

More...
SDSigned into law 03/2008P-12Student Records/Rights
H.B. 1090
Requires that most records and applications regarding a minor child reference the names and addresses of both parents; includes medical, dental, orthodontia, optometric, school records, counseling, psychiatric, psychotherapy and other records subject to confid...

More...
UTSigned into law 03/2008Postsec.Contact Information for Staff Associated with Animal Research
S.B. 113
Provides that the name, addresses, and phone numbers of individuals who perform, or provide supplies or services for, medical or scientific research at an institution within the state system of higher education that is conducted using animals be classified as ...

More...
VASigned into law 03/2008Postsec.Students' Educational Records
H.B. 1058
Requires the Board of Visitors or other governing body of every public institution of higher education in Virginia to establish policies and procedures requiring the release of the educational record of a dependent student, as defined by 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, to ...

More...
VASigned into law 03/2008Postsec.Mental Health Records
S.B. 636
Allows each public and private institution of higher education to request from its students complete student records, including any mental health records held by the originating school. These records shall be kept confidential as required by state and federal ...

More...
UTAdopted 01/2008P-12Educator Standards
R277-515
Provides definitions, standards for educators as role models, standards for educators to maintain a safe learning environment, standards for professional educator, responsibility for compliance with school district policies and standards for professional educa...

More...
+ 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