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
+ 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
ARAdopted 12/2009Postsec.
Community College
Arkansas Academic Challenges Scholarship Program
H.B. 1163/S.B. 126
Defines terms used in the Arkansas Academic Challengs Scholarship Program and requirements for student participation. Requires Director of Department of higher education to report annually on implementation of lottery scholarships. Defines award for two- and f...

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TXAdopted 11/2009Postsec.Uniform Recruitment and Retention Strategy (URRS)
19 TAC 1.4.O.4.240 -.245
Texas Educ. Code § 61.086 directs the higher education coordinating board to develop and annually update a uniform strategy to identify, attract, retain and enroll students that reflect the population of this state, and for institutions of higher education to ...

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CASigned into law 10/2009P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Postsecondary Finance, Governance and Reporting
A.B. 1182
Expresses legislative intent to refine higher education reporting requirements to provide for more effective, manageable and transparent reporting by the higher education segments.

Requests that the University of California notify each high school's governing...

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ORChaptered. Chapter No. 906 08/2009Postsec.Postsecondary Facilities
S.B. 5535
Relates to the use of lottery bonds on a specified river channel deepening project, for higher education capital construction, deferred maintenance, code compliance and safety projects, to provide financial assistance to aid in acquisition, renovation, or main...

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CASigned into law 07/2009P-12
Postsec.
No Automatic Increases
A.B. 12D - Section 6
Provides that no automatic increases will be provided to the University of California, California State University or to state agency operations, including, but not limited to, annual price increases to state
departments and agencies. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov...

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OHSigned into law 07/2009Postsec.Study on Identifying At-Risk College Students
H.B. 1 - Section 371.20.95(A)
Section 371.20.95 (A): In FY 2010, directs the chancellor of the board of regents, in consultation with representatives of state colleges and universities, to conduct a study to identify the socioeconomic, demographic, academic, personal and other factors that...

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OHSigned into law 07/2009Postsec.Three Percent Savings for All State-Assisted Institutions
H.B. 1 - Section 371.70.10
Directs each state-assisted institution of higher education to demonstrate at least a 3% savings through internal efficiencies in each fiscal year. Requires institutions to identify savings to the chancellor of the board of regents, who must certify the amount...

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OHSigned into law 07/2009Community College
Postsec.
Using "Success Points" in Funding Community Colleges
H.B. 1 - Section 371.20.95(C) and 371.20.80(D)(1)
Section 371.20.95(C): Directs the chancellor, in consultation with representatives of state community colleges, to conduct a study on the use of "success points" in allocating appropriations to community colleges in FY 2011. Requires the study to identify "suc...

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OHSigned into law 07/2009Postsec.Postsecondary Allocations
H.B. 1 - Section 371.20.80(D)(5), (6), (7), (8), (9), Section 371.20.80(E), (G)
[OF NOTE: Section 371.20.80(D)(5): Of specified postsecondary appropriation items, requires 5% of the FY 2010 appropriation and 10% of the FY 2011 appropriation for university main campuses to be reserved for support of associate, baccalaureate, master's and p...

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OHSigned into law 07/2009Postsec.Funding for Doctoral Programs
H.B. 1 - Section 371.20.95(B) and 371.20.80(D)(2)
Section 371.20.95(B): Directs the chancellor, in consultation with representatives of state universities, to conduct a study on the effectiveness and appropriateness of funding for doctoral programs through the doctoral set-aside as allocated in H.B. 1. Provid...

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OHSigned into law 07/2009Postsec.
Community College
Postsecondary State Share of Instruction for FY 2010 and 2011
H.B. 1 - Section 371.20.90
Directs the boards of trustees of state-assisted institutions of higher education to restrain increases in in-state undergraduate instructional and general fees, and bars any state-assisted institution from increasing in-state undergraduate instructional and g...

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ILSigned into law 06/2009Postsec.State University Certificates of Participation
H.B. 1200
Creates the State University Certificates of Participation Act. Authorizes the board of any state university to enter into financing agreements to finance capital improvements by selling certificates of participation in the installment payments made under such...

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MOVetoed 06/2009Postsec.Finance
H.B. 3
Appropriates money for the expenses, grants, refunds, and distributions of the Department of Higher Education.
http://www.house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills091/bills/HB3.htm...

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ORSigned into law 06/2009Community College
Postsec.
Bonded indebtedness
H.B. 3116
Allows Blue Mountain Community College District, Columbia Gorge Community College District, Southwestern Oregon Community College District, and Rogue Community College District to incur bonded indebtedness for benefit of districts upon approval of voters in di...

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ORSigned into law 06/2009Postsec.Postsecondary Finance
H.B. 2208
Changes the name of the Department of Higher Education to the Oregon University System; consolidates the majority of funds and accounts of the State Board of Higher Education into a single fund; establishes the Oregon University System Fund for the purpose of ...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Increasing Workforce in High-Demand and "Green" Occupations
H.B. 1935 and H.B. 3, Section 64
Establishes the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant program and fund to award grants to public junior colleges and public technical institutes, and to eligible nonprofit organizations to:
(1) Develop or support nonprofit organizations' programs that pre...

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TXVetoed 06/2009Postsec.Funding for Certain Excess Undergraduate Credit Hours
S.B. 1343
From Bill Analysis (http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/analysis/pdf/SB01343F.pdf):
Students in a four-year institution are required to have 120 credit hours in order to receive their degree. Currently, there is a "30-hour rule" that allows students to t...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009Postsec.Developing Programs of the Highest National Rank or Recognition
H.B. 51 - Section 5 and 6
Section 5: Directs the higher education coordinating board biennially to determine the appropriate amount for funding the program in Section 61.0596 (see below, "University Funding for Excellence in Specific Programs and Fields; Incentive Grants") in the next ...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009Postsec.Increasing Stature of Texas Universities
H.B. 51 - Section 12 and 13
Adds Subchapters C, D, F and G to Chapter 62 of the Education Code.

Subchapter C creates the "Research University Development Fund" to provide research universities and emerging research universities with funding to recruit and retain highly qualified faculty...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009Postsec.Definitions and Categories of Research Expenditures
H.B. 51 - Section 19
Directs the higher education coordinating board to study and make recommendations on the appropriate definitions and categories of research expenditures to be applied in determining an institution's eligibility for and distributions from the Research Universit...

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NESigned into law 05/2009Postsec.Research Tax Credits
L.B. 555
Allows any business firm which makes expenditures in research and experimental activities as defined in section 174 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, on the campus of a college or university in this state or at a facility owned by a college or ...

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OKSigned into law 05/2009Postsec.Education Stabilization Funding
S.B. 69
Authorizes the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to expend from the Education Stabilization component of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Fund the sum of Sixty-eight Million Seven Hundred Ninety-two Thousand Four Hundred Seventy-seven Dolla...

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WASigned into law 05/2009Postsec.Postsecondary Finance
H.B. 1640
Requires the University of Washington to disclose the names and commitment amounts of the private funds in which it is invested and the aggregate quarterly performance results in its portfolio of investments in such funds; exempts certain finance and commercia...

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ARSigned into law 03/2009Postsec.
Community College
Limits on Academic and Performance Scholarships
S.B. 316
Limits the amount of unrestricted educational and general tuition and fee income a state-supported institution of higher education can spend on academic and performance scholarships.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/SB316.pdf...

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ILSigned into law 03/2009Community College
Postsec.
Community Colleges
S.B. 2603
Revises provisions of the Public Community College Act regarding violations by members of related boards. Provides that fees to cover the cost of an application under the Private College Act must be deposited into the Private College Academic Quality Assurance...

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SDSigned into law 03/2009Postsec.Postsecondary finance
H.B. 1074
Increases expenditure authority previously granted to the Board of Regents; designates circumstances in which such authority may be used; appropriates funds.
http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2009/Bills/HB1074ENR.pdf...

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SDSigned into law 03/2009Community College
Postsec.
Technical institutes
S.B. 117
Appropriates funds to the postsecondary technical institutes for program enhancement; requires reporting on funds received.
http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2009/Bills/SB117ENR.pdf...

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WYSigned into law 02/2009Postsec.Postsecondary finance
H.B. 155
Relates to higher education matching funds programs; modifies time limitations for eligible donations; eliminates the stated donation period for matching funds eligibility; repeals provisions for reversion of funds; repeals executed provisions. Chapter 52
http...

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CAVetoed 01/2009P-12
Postsec.
Finance and Facilities
A.B. 4A
Relates to sufficient textbook requirements, county superintendent revenue limits, school district building maintenance funding, funding for school and community college districts, pupil retention block grants, charter school block grants, pupil oral health as...

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+ 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
+ Technology--Funding Issues
+ Technology--Teacher/Faculty Training
+ Textbooks and Open Source
+ Urban
+ Urban--Governance