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
+ 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
ILSigned into law 10/2008P-12Revises the Teaching Excellence Program. Provides an annual payment of $3,000 to a teacher or counselor who holds both a Master Certificate and a
corresponding certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Creates a $1,000 incentive for an active teacher or counselor who has a Master Certificate and agrees to provide at least 30 hours of mentoring during that year to teachers or counselors, as applicable. Creates similar incentive for a retired teacher or counselor who holds a Master Certificate and a current corresponding certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Provides an additional $1,000 to an eligible active or retired teacher or counselor who agrees to provide an additional 30 hours of mentoring during that year, for a total of 60 hours of mentoring and $2,000.

Increases incentive to $2,000 for active and retired teachers and counselors who meet the aforementioned criteria and who agree to provide at least 30 hours of mentoring in schoolsin on academic early warning status or in schools in which 50% or more of the students receive free or reduced lunch. Provides an additional $2,000 to an eligible active or retired teacher or counselor who agrees to provide an additional 30 hours of mentoring in schools on academic early warning status or
in schools in which 50% or more of the students receive free or reduced lunch for a total of 60 hours of mentoring and $4,000. Provides that mentoring under these provisions may include providing high quality professional development for new and experienced teachers or school counselors and/or assisting National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) candidates through the NBPTS certification process.

Specifies and prioritizes Master Certificate incentives if funds are available. Provides that if funds remain after all incentives and bonuses have been expended, up to $250,000 must be used for the continuation of an appropriate electronic system to process Master Certificates and various payments.

Revises the membership of the state P- 20 Council. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/95/SB/PDF/09500SB2687lv.pdf
Title: S.B. 2687
Source: www.ilga.gov

CTSigned into law 06/2008P-12Concerns the Beginning Educator Support and Training (BEST) Program; requires school boards and unions to bargain over compensation, hours and duties of teachers who train and evaluate student teachers or serve as mentors and assessors of beginning teachers under the BEST program, suspend the BEST program for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009; creates a task force to develop a plan to replace the BEST program with a mentor assistance program; amends the video component; provides for full funding.
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2008/ACT/PA/2008PA-00107-R00HB-05871-PA.htm
Title: H.B. 5871
Source: http://www.cga.ct.gov/

LASigned into law 06/2008P-12Renames provisions of law providing for the rights of teachers to the Teacher Bill of Rights. Provides that teachers have a right to immunity and legal defense. Provides that a beginning teacher has the right to receive leadership, including the assignment of a qualified, experienced mentor to help him or her become a competent professional in the classroom. Requires school boards to post the rights in schools and to provide a copy to parents or legal guardians. Requires districts and schools maintaining a Web site to post such rights on their Web site. http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=497678
Title: H.B. 672
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

KYSigned into law 04/2008P-12Creates a certification incentive fund to provide grants for eligible recipients to conduct summer institutes. Specifies that the priority for the institutes in the 2008-2009 through 2011-2012 school years is the certification of teachers in high school mathematics, chemistry, integrated science, and physics, and middle school mathematics and earth science under option 7 of the alternative certification program, certification of a person in a field other than education to teach in elementary, middle or secondary programs. Provides that grant recipients may be nonprofit organizations, institutions, and agencies, including postsecondary education institutions, school districts, education cooperatives, and consortia of school districts. Requires the education professional standards board to determine priority for specific institutes at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.

Requires each individual completing a summer institute to have additional hours of formal instruction or assistance during the first year of teaching to reach the minimum number of clock hours. Provides that an alternative teacher certification candidate participating in the institute must not be required to participate in the teacher internship program until the second year of teaching. Requires the candidate to be assigned a teacher mentor by the grant recipient the first year of teaching, with payment of the teacher mentor coming from the summer institute grant.

Provides forgiveable loans to individuals accepted into an institute. Provides the loan will be forgiven if the participant teaches in a Kentucky public or certified nonpublic school for one year within the three years following the awarding of the loan. Also provides a stipend, equal to the loan award amount, for each individual who completes a summer institute. Provides that grant recipients and school districts may offer financial incentives to potential participants and individuals who complete an institute from fund sources other than the grant funds.

Provides that teachers' professional growth fund may be used to provide teachers with professional development that may lead to additional certification endorsements or renewal of certification. Adds that the professional development programs for which teachers may receive support from the fund must provide teacher participants with the opportunity to obtain certificate endorsements or extensions in critical shortage areas, with priority given to math and science through 2016, and in core content areas to their existing certifications through the TC-HQ process, established by the education professional standards board to meet the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act. Specifies that beginning June 1, 2010, through the 2015-2016 school year, priority for the use of funds from the teachers' professional growth fund must be for the purpose of increasing the number of certified math and science teachers. http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/08RS/SB64/bill.doc
Title: S.B. 64
Source: www.lrc.ky.gov

ORAdopted 01/2008P-12Establishes requirements for teacher and administrator mentoring programs. OREGON 29089
Title: OAR 581-020-0085, -0090
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

+ 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