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--Charter Districts
+ 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
+ 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
+ High School--International Baccalaureate
+ 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 Benchmarking
+ Leadership
+ Leadership--District Superintendent
+ Leadership--District Superintendent--Compensation and Diversified Pay
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership
- Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Certification and Licensure
OHAdopted 10/2009P-12Adds new paragraph regarding the "teacher leader" endorsement. Provides endorsement is valid for mentoring and coaching teachers, providing staff development and assisting the principal in developing and supporting a shared vision and clear goals for the school. Requires teacher leader endorsement candidates to have a master's degree and at least four years teaching experience. Requires that the preparation program include at least a practicum experience during which the candidate must demonstrate the knowledge, skills and dispositions at the distinguished level, as described in the Ohio standards for the teaching profession.

Also establishes an "urban principal" endorsement, which may be added to any standard principal license or certificate following completion of an approved preparation program for the endorsement. Requires that the approved preparation program for the endorsement include an extensive structured internship during which the candidate demonstrates effective urban leadership practices. http://www.registerofohio.state.oh.us/pdfs/3301/0/24/3301-24-05_PH_FF_A_RU_20091013_1401.pdf
Title: OAC 3301-24-05
Source: www.registerofohio.state.oh.us

TXAdopted 10/2009P-12Amends rules that provide for the establishment of requirements for the issuance and renewal of the superintendent certificate. Pages 6-7 of 10: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1016/1016adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 7.242.242.1, .5, .10, .15, .20, .25, .30
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us

AZSigned into law 08/2009P-12Section 15-503. If a governing board (local school board) employs a superintendent or principal, or both, the board shall determine the qualification of the superintendent by action taken at a public meeting. The governing board shall require a superintendent to have a valid fingerprint clearance card that is issued pursuant to Title 41, Chapter 12, Article 3.1

If the governing board jointly employs a superintendent, the govering board shall jointly determine the qualifications for the superintendent by action taken at a public meeting. The governing boards shall require a superintendent to have a valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Title 41, Chapter 12, Article 3.1

Section 15-504. School district employment contracts shall not include compensated days for professional association activities. For the purposes of this section, professional association activities do not include conduct that occurs during a field trip for pupils. This section does not prohibit individual employees of school districts from taking compensated leave time for any personal purpose, any professional purpose or any other lawful purpose.
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/3s/bills/hb2011h.pdf

Title: H.B. 2011--Section 15
Source: http://www.azleg.gov

ILSigned into law 08/2009P-12Provides that, if a district closes one or more (but not all) schools during a public health emergency, the district may claim a full day of attendance based on the average of the three days of attendance preceding the closure.

Replaces requirement that teacher and certain administrator certification candidates pass a test of subject area knowledge with requirement that an assessment of professional teaching, and a test of subject matter knowledge; allows another state's basic skills and subject area knowledge test to substitute for a passing score on the state test. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/96/HB/PDF/09600HB2675lv.pdf
Title: H.B. 2675
Source: www.ilga.gov

ILSigned into law 07/2009P-12Allows for a chief school business official endorsement to an administrative certificate if, among other conditions, the certificate holder has 2 years of university-approved practical experience. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/96/SB/PDF/09600SB0187lv.pdf
Title: S.B. 187
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

OHSigned into law 07/2009P-12Repeals provision in 3319.22 that directed the state board to adopt the standards and requirements for temporary, associate, provisional and professional teacher licenses. Establishes a 4-year "resident educator" license to allow an educator to complete the Ohio teacher residency program (applicants must hold at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited teacher education program). Also establishes "professional educator license" (applicants must have successfully completed the Ohio teacher residency program), "senior professional educator license" (applicants must hold at least a master's degree, have previously held a professional educator license and meet the criteria for the accomplished or distinguished level of performance, as described in the standards for teachers adopted by the state board under section 3319.61) and "lead professional educator license" (applicants must hold at least a master's degree, have previously held a professional educator license or a senior professional educator license, meet the criteria for the distinguished level of performance and either hold National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification or meet the criteria for a master teacher or other criteria for a lead teacher adopted by the educator standards board under division (F)(4) or (5) of section 3319.61). Provides that all non-resident-educator licenses are to be valid for five years and renewable. Repeals provision that no license can be required for teaching children age two or younger. Allows state board to adopt any additional educator licenses, and directs the state board to adopt rules establishing the standards and requirements for obtaining each resident educator, professional educator, senior professional educator and lead professional educator license.

Directs the state board to align the standards and qualifications for obtaining a principal license with the standards for principals adopted by the state board under section 3319.61.

Repeals 3319.23, which directed the state board to (1) establish standards and courses of study for the preparation of teachers, (2) provide for the inspection of teacher preparation programs, (3) approve teacher preparation programs, and (4) license the graduates of approved courses and institutions. (New Section 3333.048 directs the chancellor of the Ohio board of regents and the state superintendent to establish metrics for and approve teacher preparation programs.)
Pages 1375 and 2725 of 3120: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText128/128_HB_1_EN_N.pdf
DOE summary of H.B. 1: http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/DocumentManagement/DocumentDownload.aspx?DocumentID=71635
Title: H.B. 1 - Section 3319.22 and 3319.23
Source: www.legislature.state.oh.us

+ 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
+ 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--Completion--Completion Rates (Statistics)
+ 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
+ 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
+ Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance
+ Student Supports--Mentoring/Tutoring
+ Student Supports--Remediation
+ 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
+ Technology--Funding Issues
+ Technology--Teacher/Faculty Training
+ Textbooks and Open Source
+ Urban
+ Urban--Governance