ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2009 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 2009. 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--Accreditation
+ Accountability--Measures/Indicators
+ Accountability--Reporting Results
+ Accountability--Rewards
+ 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--College Entrance Exams
+ Assessment--Computer Based
+ Assessment--End-of-Course
+ Assessment--Formative/Interim
+ Assessment--NAEP (NAEP Results and NAEP Organization)
+ Assessment--Performance Based/Portfolio
+ Assessment--Value Added
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol
+ Attendance
+ Attendance--Compulsory
+ Attendance--Statutory Ages (Upper and Lower)
+ Attendance--Truancy
+ Background Checks
+ Bilingual/ESL
+ Business Involvement
+ Career/Technical Education
+ Career/Technical Education--Career Academies/Apprenticeship
+ Cheating
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Closings
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Cyber Charters
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Finance
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Research
+ Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment
+ Choice of Schools--Magnet or Specialized Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Vouchers
+ Civic Education
+ Civic Education--Character Education
+ Civic Education--Pledge of Allegiance
+ Class Size
+ Counseling/Guidance
+ Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Arts Education
+ Curriculum--Core Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Drivers Education
+ Curriculum--Environmental Education
+ Curriculum--Family Living Education
+ Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed.
+ Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language
+ Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education
+ Curriculum--Home Economics
+ Curriculum--International Education
+ Curriculum--Language Arts
+ Curriculum--Language Arts--Writing/Spelling
+ Curriculum--Mathematics
+ Curriculum--Physical Education
+ Curriculum--Science
+ Curriculum--Sex Education
+ Curriculum--Social Studies/History
+ Demographics--Condition of Children/Adults
+ Desegregation
+ Economic/Workforce Development
+ Education Research
+ Equity
+ Federal
+ Finance
+ Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost
+ Finance--Bonds
+ Finance--District
+ Finance--Equity
+ Finance--Facilities
+ Finance--Federal
+ Finance--Funding Formulas
+ Finance--Litigation
+ 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--Early Colleges/Middle Colleges
+ High School--Exit Exams
+ High School--GED (General Education Development)
- High School--Graduation Requirements
OHSigned into law 12/2009P-12Junior ROTC
H.B. 290 - Junior ROTC
Includes Junior ROTC as a permitted elective within the state's core curriculum for high school graduation. Permits schools to excuse Junior ROTC students from high school physical education. Permits a student who has participated in Junior ROTC for at least t...

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TXAdopted 12/2009P-12High School Graduation Requirements
19 TAC 2.74.A.74.3
Amends high school graduation requirements to make the rule consistent with H.B. 3 passed by the 81st Texas Legislature, 2009 (see Section 28.025, starting page 28 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf). Requires a student ...

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ILAdopted 11/2009P-12Public Schools Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision
23 IAC 1.20, .30, .100, .240, .420, .465, .480, .510, .737
Partially from "Notice of Adopted Amendments" in Illinois Register (changes from this rulemaking but not listed below are technical in nature or echo recent changes in legislation):

Section 1.20: Revised to distinguish among the appropriate levels of sign-of...

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CAVetoed 10/2009P-12High School Credit for Community Service
S.B. 520
Authorizes the governing board of a school district to offer credit for hours of community service provided by a pupil outside of school hours for a maximum of two semesters. Requires such district to establish and maintain a list of suitable community service...

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CASigned into law 10/2009P-12Graduation Requirements Waiver for Certain Foster Care Students
A.B. 167
Requires a school district to exempt a pupil in foster care from all coursework and other requirements adopted by the district's governing board in addition to the statewide coursework if the pupil, while he/she is in grade 11 or 12, transfers to the district ...

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ORAdopted 10/2009P-12DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS
OAR 581-022-0615
Amends rules relating to the timeline for when students must be proficient in essential skills to receive diploma. ...

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LAAdopted 09/2009P-12High School Graduation Requirements
LAC 28:CXV.2319
Amends rules relating to high school graduation requirements. Provides students the opportunity to complete requirements for the senior project to sit for the IBC exam, post graduation as an alternative to the required industry-based certification in the stude...

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ILSigned into law 08/2009P-12Awarding of Credit for Courses Taken in Middle Grades
H.B. 4038
Relates to the authorization of students in grade 7 or 8 to enroll in a high school course. Allows a student to participate in the course where the student attends school as long as the course is taught by a certified high school teacher who teaches in a high ...

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OHSigned into law 07/2009P-12College and Career Readiness, Financial Literacy
H.B. 1 - Section 3301.0721, 3301.079(A)(2) and 3313.601, 3313.603
Section 3301.079(A)(2). Requires the state board to adopt K-12 standards for instruction in financial literacy and entrepreneurship, which must meet the same requirements as standards in the core areas of English, math, science and social studies (i.e., the st...

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WAAdopted 07/2009P-12Graduation Requirements
WAC 180-51-066
Amends rules to allow a student who has taken a mathematics coursebefore attending high school but elected not to be given high school credit forthe course to take another prescribed mathematics course and eliminate thisrequirement. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/...

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LASigned into law 06/2009P-12Career Option Program
S.B. 259; H.B. 612
Provides for the high school career option program consisting of an academic major and a career major; requires students in grades 9 through 12 to pursue such core curriculum and either general or college preparatory courses or the specific career courses requ...

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NCSigned into law 06/2009P-12Removes High School Graduation Project Requirement
H.B. 223
Removes the high school graduation project as a requirement for graduation from high school prior to July 1, 2011; permits local boards of education to require their students to complete a high school graduation project; directs the Program Evaluation Division...

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ORAdopted 06/2009P-12GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS
OAR 581-022-1130
Waives the increased graduation credit requirements for students who began ninth grade during the 2005- 2006 school year, attended school consecutively during the 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 school years and who will receive their diploma prior to July 1, 201...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12Revised K-12 Curriculum Requirements
H.B. 3 - Section 25
Requires the state board to adopt rules requiring students in grades 6-8 to complete at least one fine arts course.

Each time the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board revises the Internet database of the coordinating board's official statewide inventory ...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12High School Graduation Requirements
H.B. 3 - Section 30
Directs the state board to designate the specific foundation courses (English, math, science, social studies) required for completion of the minimum, recommended or advanced high school program. Specifies that, with the exception of courses stated in this legi...

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NDSigned into law 05/2009P-12High School Graduation - Diploma Requirements
H.B. 1400 - Sections 15 and 16
Requires all high schools to offer one dual enrollment course or one Advanced Placement course.
Increases total number of Carnegie units for high school graduation from 21 to 22 units. These must include:
1. Four units of English language arts from a sequence...

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TNSigned into law 05/2009P-12Removes Comprehensive Test Passage as Graduation Requirement
S.B. 2312
Removes requirement of passage of the Tennessee comprehensive assessment program tests in order to receive a full diploma. (No impact of substance for end-of-course assessments.)
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB2312.pdf...

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ARSigned into law 04/2009P-12Smart Core Incentive Funding Program
S.B. 918
Creates the Smart Core Incentive Funding Program to provide a financial incentive to assist with a public high school's efforts to encourage students to complete the Smart Core curriculum and promote programs that contribute to student success, including tutor...

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NMSigned into law 04/2009P-12Five-year High School Graduation
H.B. 333
Allows for five-year graduation from high school. If within five years after a student exits from the district the student takes and passes the state graduation examination, the student may receive a high school diploma. Any student passing the state graduatio...

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ORAdopted 04/2009P-12GRANTING OF CREDITS
OAR 581-022-1131
Amends rules relating to the granting of credits towards high school diplomas. Updates available options for school districts in granting credit to align with graduation requirements adopted by the state board of education. OREGON 30408
http://arcweb.sos.state...

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TNSigned into law 04/2009P-12Graduation, Alternative Schools
S.B. 2326
Authorizes students graduating solely by attending an alternative school.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB2326.pdf...

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WASigned into law 04/2009P-12Increase Instructional Hours, Credits for Graduation
H.B. 2261--Section 104--Calendar and Credit Hours
Over a period of eight years, starting in 2011:
Section 104 states that each school district shall make available to students the following minimum instructional offering each school year:
(2) (a) For students enrolled in grade one through twelve, at least a ...

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ORSigned into law 03/2009P-12High school graduation requirements
H.B. 2061
Waives increased graduation requirements for students who begin grade nine during 2005-2006 school year, attend school during 2006-2007, 2007- 2008 and 2008-2009 school years and receive diploma prior to July 1, 2010; declares emergency, effective June 30, 200...

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SDSigned into law 03/2009P-12Graduation Requirements
S.B. 185
Revises graduation requirements for students entering the ninth grade in 2009; eliminates the option of the basic high school program; relates to the scholarship program.
http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2009/Bills/SB185ENR.pdf...

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WASigned into law 03/2009P-12High school graduation requirements
H.B. 1562
Changes the requirements for graduating without a certificate of academic achievement or a certificate of individual achievement.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bills/House%20Passed%20Legislature/1562.PL.pdf...

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MDAdopted 02/2009P-12High School Graduation Requirements
COMAR 13A.03.02.09-1
Establishes rules relating to the graduation requirements in public high schools in the state. In particular, procedures for denial of high school diploma and appealing such decisions.
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/13a/13a.03.02.09-1.htm...

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VASigned into law 02/2009P-12Instruction in Financial Literacy
H.B. 2112
Provides that local school boards must require the completion of 12 classroom hours of instruction in financial literacy as a condition for graduation from the public schools in the Commonwealth.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?091+ful+HB2112ER...

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+ Instructional Approaches
+ Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ Instructional Approaches--Problem Based Learning
+ Instructional Approaches--Single-Sex Education
+ Instructional Approaches--Time/Time on Task
+ Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
+ International Baccalaureate
+ International Benchmarking
+ Leadership
+ Leadership--District Superintendent
+ Leadership--District Superintendent--Compensation and Diversified Pay
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership
+ 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
+ Minority/Diversity Issues--Hispanic
+ 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--Report Cards
+ No Child Left Behind--School Support
+ 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 Content Standards and Assessment
+ P-3 Early Intervention (0-3)
+ P-3 Ensuring Quality
+ P-3 Evaluation/Economic Benefits
+ P-3 Finance
+ P-3 Governance
+ P-3 Grades 1-3
+ 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--Textbooks
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans
+ Postsecondary Faculty
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Compensation
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Intellectual Property
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Teaching Assistants
+ Postsecondary Finance
+ Postsecondary Finance--Efficiency/Performance-Based Funding
+ Postsecondary Finance--Facilities
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures
+ Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges
+ Postsecondary Institutions--For-Profit/Proprietary
+ Postsecondary Institutions--Private/Independent
+ Postsecondary Online Instruction
+ Postsecondary Participation
+ Postsecondary Participation--Access
+ Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements
+ Postsecondary Participation--Affirmative Action
+ Postsecondary Participation--Outreach
+ Postsecondary Students
+ Postsecondary Students--Foster Youth
+ Postsecondary Students--Graduate/Professional
+ Postsecondary Students--Military
+ Postsecondary Students--Minority
+ Postsecondary Success--Completion
+ Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation
+ Postsecondary Success--Retention/Persistence
+ Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation
+ Private Schools
+ Privatization
+ Promising Practices
+ Promotion/Retention
+ Public Involvement
+ Reading/Literacy
+ Reading/Literacy--Adult Literacy
+ Religion
+ Religion--Prayer/Meditation
+ 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--School Size
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Shared Services
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation
+ Service-Learning
+ Special Education
+ 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--Immigrant Education
+ Special Populations--Military
+ Standards
+ State Longitudinal Data Systems
+ State Policymaking
+ State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions
+ STEM
+ Student Achievement
+ Student Achievement--Closing the Achievement Gap
+ Students
+ Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities
+ Students--Employment
+ Students--Mobility
+ Students--Records/Rights
+ Teaching Quality
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Alternative
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Assignment
+ 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 Attitudes
+ Teaching Quality--Teacher Rights
+ Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract
+ Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining
+ Teaching Quality--Working Conditions
+ Technology
+ Technology--Computer Skills
+ Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware
+ Technology--Equitable Access
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+ Textbooks and Open Source
+ Urban
+ Urban--Governance