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
+ Postsecondary Finance--Efficiency/Performance-Based Funding
+ Postsecondary Finance--Facilities
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures
- Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges
TXAdopted 11/2009Community College
Postsec.
Automatic Approval of Academic and Career Technical/Workforce Associate Degree Programs
19 TAC 1.9.E.9.92, .93, .95
Permits automatic higher education coordinating board approval of new academic and career technical/workforce associate degree programs, provided certain criteria are met, including that the institution can certify that, among other indicators:
(1) The progra...

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TXAdopted 11/2009Community College
Postsec.
Program Development in Public Two-Year Colleges
19 TAC 1.9.A.9.1
Adds definitions for the following terms pertaining to higher education coordinating board approval of new academic and career technical/workforce associate degree and certificate programs: "academic degree"; "applied associate degree"; "career technical/workf...

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TXAdopted 11/2009Community College
Postsec.
Associate Degree Programs
19 TAC 1.9.J.9.184 -.186
Repeals existing rules and establishes new rules concerning Academic Associate Degree and Certificate Programs. Establishes approval criteria for new academic associate degree programs and permits colleges to award an academic certificate to students who succe...

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TXAdopted 11/2009Community College
Postsec.
Board Review of Purpose, Role and Mission Statements
19 TAC 1.9.C.9.55
Repeals 19 TAC §9.55 regarding the higher education coordinating board review of purpose, role and mission statements at public community colleges as a component of the institutional effectiveness evaluation review process. The November 20, 2009 Texas Register...

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TXAdopted 11/2009Community College
Postsec.
Associate Degree Programs
19 TAC 1.9.J.9.181, .183
Amends rules related to associate degree programs. Amendment to Section 9.181 clarifies that rules apply not only to public community colleges, but also Texas State Technical College-Harlingen, and the Lamar State Colleges. Amendment to Section 9.183 adds lang...

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CAVetoed 10/2009Community College
Postsec.
Community College Enrollment for Previously Expelled Students
A.B. 1400
Authorizes the governing board of a community college district to either deny enrollment, permit enrollment or permit conditional enrollment to any individual who has been expelled from a community college within the preceding 10 years for certain offenses, or...

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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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ILSigned into law 08/2009Postsec.
Community College
Collaborative Baccalaureate Degree Development Grant Program
S.B. 1883
Requires the board of higher education to implement the Collaborative Baccalaureate Degree Development Grant Program to help deliver upper-division courses and bachelor's degree programs offered by colleges and universities at a location geographically conveni...

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ILSigned into law 08/2009Community College
Postsec.
Community College Officers of the Peace
H.B. 2253
Repeals and rewrites provisions related to the appointment, duties and training of law enforcement officer and non-law enforcement officer members of the community college district police department or department of public safety. http://www.ilga.gov/legislati...

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NDSigned into law 08/2009Postsec.
Community College
Interplay Between State University System and Tribally Controlled Community Colleges
H.B. 1566
Requires that the Commissioner of Higher Education study the interplay between the State University System and tribally controlled community colleges. Specifically, requires the commissioner to address ways in which the North Dakota university system as a whol...

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AZVetoed 07/2009Community College
Postsec.
Finance
H.B. 2649
Repeals the delayed effective date relating to the elimination of the hold harmless condition for community college operating state aid and the changes to the threshold requirements for growth funding; restores the State Board of Regents's total lease-to-own a...

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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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FLSigned into law 06/2009Postsec.
Community College
Designates the Division of Florida Colleges as a division of the Department of Education
S.B. 2682
The bill implements some of the recommendations of the Florida College System Task Force and the State College Pilot Project. In particular, the bill:

1. Renames the Division of Community Colleges within the Department of Education as the Division of Florida ...

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NCSigned into law 06/2009P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Community Colleges May Offer Noncredit Safe Driving Courses to High School Students
H.B. 391
Authorizes community colleges to offer noncredit courses in safe driving to high school students on a self-supporting basis during the academic year or the
summer. http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2009/Bills/House/PDF/H391v5.pdf...

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NCSigned into law 06/2009Postsec.
Community College
Additional Purchasing Flexibility for Community Colleges
H.B. 490
Grants additional purchasing flexibility to community colleges by permitting purchase of an item that is neither available under State term contracts nor substantially similar to an item available under State term contracts; directs the State Board of Communit...

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NHSigned into law 06/2009Postsec.
Community College
Transition of Functions and Reporting of the Community College System
S.B. 149
Changes the effective date for the transition of certain functions within the community college system of New Hampshire from July 1, 2009 to July 1, 2011. Provides that the commissioner of the department of education and the chancellor of the community college...

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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 06/2009P-12
Community College
Postsec.
Career Readiness Certification Program
H.B. 2398
Creates the Career Readiness Certification Program in the Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development; provides that services of the program shall include an assessment process, targeted instruction, and issuance of a career readiness certificat...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009Community College
Postsec.
Junior College District Employees
H.B. 1568
Authorizes the governing board of a junior college district to exempt a district employee from all or a portion of student tuition and fees. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01568F.pdf...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12
Community College
Postsec.
Charter Schools Run by Two-Years
H.B. 1423
Allows public junior colleges (two-year institutions) to be granted charters to operate open-enrollment charter schools, including on the junior college campus. Specifies criteria junior college must meet to be granted a charter, including that the charter's e...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009Community College
Postsec.
Community Colleges and Economic Development
H.B. 2169
Authorizes the Texas Workforce Commission to establish by rule additional job incentive programs to create incentives for public community and technical colleges, in partnership with employers, to provide workforce training to create and retain employment oppo...

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ALPocket veto by governor 05/2009Community College
Postsec.
Joint Interim Legislative Study Committee to Assess the Two-year College System
H.J.R. 878
Creates the Joint Interim Legislative Study Committee to Assess the Two-year College System. Directs the committee to make an assessment of the two-year college system and all entities within the purview of the department of postsecondary education, its govern...

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ARSigned into law 04/2009Community College
Postsec.
Child Care Services for Eligible Students in Two-Year Colleges
S.B. 963
Provides child care services for Temporary Assistance to Needy Family Program recipients enrolled in day or evening classes in a two-year college.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1485.pdf...

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KSSigned into law 04/2009Community College
Postsec.
Community Colleges
S.B. 11
Concerns postsecondary institutions; relates to community colleges and the powers and duties thereof; relates to a service area as designated geographic areas of the state established pursuant to agreement of the presidents of the community colleges and adopte...

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NESigned into law 04/2009Community College
Postsec.
Requires Reporting of Study Findings
L.B. 340
From the Fiscal Note: Requires the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education to report findings of a study relating to the Nebraska community college system to the Legislature on or before December 15, 2009. Specific elements to be addressed by the s...

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WVAdopted 04/2009Postsec.
Community College
ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION
Title 135, Series 49
Provides rules from The West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College regarding an accountability system for public higher education in the state. Relates to the development of statewide master plans, the process of entering into state and institut...

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ORSigned into law 03/2009Community College
Postsec.
Community college maintenance
H.B. 5034
Extends the limitation of use of bond proceeds for community college districts for deferred maintenance, capital renewal, code compliance and safety projects; approval the proposed sale of the Dallas Armory and land upon which it is situated; decreases certain...

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VASigned into law 03/2009Community College
Postsec.
Pilot Grants for Open Education Resources
S.B. 1173
Requires the State Board for Community Colleges, in consultation with the Department of Education and the State Council of Higher Education, to develop a competitive grant pilot program to provide grants to community colleges to establish open education resour...

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WYVetoed 03/2009Community College
Postsec.
Community college facilities
H.B. 114
Relates to community colleges; establishes a statewide college system operations and facility funding mechanism based upon a prescribed system wide strategic planning process attaching state funding to state interests; provides for system operational budgeting...

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VASigned into law 02/2009Postsec.
Community College
Open Education Resources
H.B. 1940
Requires the State Board for Community Colleges, in consultation with the Virginia Department of Education and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, to develop a competitive grant pilot program to provide grants to community colleges to establish...

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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 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