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)
CAVetoed 10/2009P-12Notice of Consequences of Dropping Out
A.B. 374
Requires the superintendent of public instruction to produce a consequences of dropping out notice to inform pupils of the consequences of dropping out of school prior to reaching 18 years of age or completing the requirements for high school graduation. Requi...

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CAVetoed 10/2009P-12Preschool Enrollment for Children of Juvenile Court Wards
A.B. 769
States findings and declarations regarding children of youth who are in custody, or on probation or in the foster care system. Requires priority for participation in state preschool programs to be given to children who have a biological custodial parent who is...

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CASigned into law 10/2009P-12Annual Report on Dropouts
S.B. 651
Requires the superintendent of public instruction by August 2011 to submit a report called the Annual Report on Dropouts in the state. Requires, among other things, the report contain specified information on: one-year dropout rates for grades 7-12, four-year ...

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CASigned into law 08/2009P-12Foster Student Eligibility for Extracurricular Activities
A.B. 81
Requires that a foster child who changes residences pursuant to a court order or decision of a child welfare worker be immediately deemed to meet all residency requirements for participation in interscholastic sports or other extracurricular activities. http:/...

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ILSigned into law 08/2009P-12Ensuring Success in School Task Force
H.B. 605
Requires the Ensuring Success in School Task Force, created to address the educational and related needs of elementary and secondary education students who are parents, expectant parents, or victims of domestic or sexual violence to ensure their ability to sta...

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NCSigned into law 08/2009P-12Personal Education Plans for Students At Risk of Academic Failure
H.B. 804
Provides that a personal education plan must be made no later than the end of the first quarter, or after a teacher has had up to nine weeks of instructional time with a student; provides that local school administrative units shall give notice of the personal...

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ILSigned into law 07/2009P-12Charter Schools
S.B. 612
Increases statewide charter school cap and charter school cap for Chicago. Above and beyond caps, permits five Chicago charters (and specified numbers of campuses and enrollment seats within those five charters) to be devoted to serving returning high school d...

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ILSigned into law 07/2009P-12
Community College
Dropout Recovery
S.B. 1796
Establishes the Illinois Hope and Opportunity Pathways through Education (IHOPE) Program, to be adminstered by the state board of education, to develop a comprehensive system to re-enroll significant numbers of high school dropouts in programs that will enable...

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MOSigned into law 07/2009P-12Dropout Prevention
S.B. 291--Persistence to Graduation Fund
Creates the Persistence to Graduation Fund. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will establish a procedure for school districts to apply for grants to implement drop-out prevention strategies. Grants may be available to school districts that have ...

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OHSigned into law 07/2009P-12Governor's Closing the Achievement Gap Initiative
H.B. 1 - Section 3306.31 and 265.70.80
Specifies that the following provisions apply to any district with a three-year average graduation rate at or below 80%. Requires each such district's local board to implement actions prescribed by the governor's closing the achievement gap initiative in each ...

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COSigned into law 06/2009P-12Colorado Youth Challenge Corps Program
H.B. 1280
Creates the Colorado Youth Challenge Corps Program Act; authorizes the department of military and veterans affairs department to operate a residential youth challenge corps program through the use of contract personnel and National Guard facilities and equipme...

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LASigned into law 06/2009P-12Early Intervention Program
H.B. 282
Reauthorizes the early intervention program for at- risk children and their families in certain parishes. The purpose of the program shall be to address the underlying causes of behavioral problems and school performance problems related to behavior by pooling...

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LASigned into law 06/2009P-12Improving Graduation Rates
S.B. 316
Provides for comprehensive approach to improve graduation rates and ensure college and career readiness for high school students. Provides for the development of focused programs of study and related courses and curricula; development of individual graduation ...

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MESigned into law 06/2009P-12Center of Excellence for At-risk Students
S.B. 528
Establishes the Center of Excellence for At-risk Students to provide a comprehensive, on-site course of instruction for youth at risk of failing or dropping out of school; includes a high-quality education, training for parents and public school teachers and r...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12Flexible School Day Program Courses
H.B. 1297
Relates to optional flexible school day program courses offered by school districts to enable students to earn course credit under certain circumstances. Eliminates requirement that flexible school day program courses be limited to students in grades 9-12. All...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12At-Risk Definition
H.B. 2703
Provides that a student is not considered at risk of dropping out of school if the student was retained in prekindergarten or kindergarten solely at the parent's request. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02703F.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 06/2009P-12Comprehensive Review of School Finance Weights, Allotments and Adjustments
H.B. 3646 - Section 65
Adds new Subchapter I in Chapter 42 of Education Code. Establishes the Select Committee on Public School Finance Weights, Allotments, and Adjustments to conduct a comprehensive review of weights, allotments and adjustments under the public school finance syste...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12
Postsec.
Programs to Improve High School and College Completion
S.B. 2258
Amends various provisions in Section 29.098 related to intensive summer programs for public school students and to college readiness programs at public institutions of higher education. Adds provisions in 61.0762 that allow the higher education coordinating bo...

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ALSigned into law 05/2009P-12Dropout Prevention
S.B. 334
Increases the upper mandatory school age to 17 while retaining existing exceptions for certain students. Allows a student over the age of 17 to leave school before graduation if the child's parent provides written consent and an exit interview is conducted whe...

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COSigned into law 05/2009P-12Dropout Prevention Pilot Program
S.B. 123
Creates the healthy choices dropout prevention pilot program in the department of education to reduce the dropout rate of adolescent students in certain public schools. Requires the department to administer the program. Requires the department to develop a sta...

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COSigned into law 05/2009P-12Dropout Prevention Office
H.B. 1243
Creates the office of dropout prevention and student re-engagement in the department of education to collaborate with local education providers (LEPs) to reduce the student dropout rate and increase the student graduation and completion rates. Specifies the of...

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GAVetoed 05/2009P-12Dropout Prevention
S.B. 178 Section 10, Part 2
Directs the state board of education to develop an evidence-based model program for chronically low-performing high schools receiving a reform grant for addressing at-risk students. Provides the model program must include various programs and curricula proven ...

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NDSigned into law 05/2009P-12Student Performance Strategist
H.B. 1400 - Sec. 8, Strategist
Beginning with the 2010-11 school year, each district must have available one full-time equivalent student performance strategist for every four hundred students in average daily membership in kindergarten through grade three. Each school district shall submit...

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NVSigned into law 05/2009P-12At-Risk, Middle School
A.B. 487
Requires the development of an academic plan for pupils enrolling in their initial year at a middle school or junior high school; requires small learning communities in certain larger middle schools and junior high schools; requires a program of peer and adult...

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OHAdopted 05/2009P-12Career-Based Intervention Programs
OAC 3301-61-05 and -18
Establishes criteria for career-based intervention (CBI) programs, which provides grade 7-12 students who are disadvantaged (either academically, economically or both) with classroom instruction, academic intervention and instruction, and work-based learning e...

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OKAdopted 05/2009P-12Annual Student Dropout Reports to Local School Boards
OAC 210:35-25-3
Requires that a school representative annually report the dropouts for each school site that serves students in Grades 7-12 to the local school board following the certification of the same data to the State Department of Education for its annual statewide dro...

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OKSigned into law 05/2009P-12Performance Review for Districts with High Poverty
S.B. 473
Authorizes the Office of Accountability to conduct a performance review program to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the budget and operations of a school districts that has a district student eligibility rate for free or reduced-price meals under ...

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ALSigned into law 04/2009P-12Alabama Select Commission on High School Graduation and Student Dropouts
S.J.R. 24
Establishes the Alabama Select Commission on High School Graduation and Student Dropouts. Directs the commission to study the problems and patterns of high school dropouts in the state and their educational and economic impact on the state and local communitie...

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ARSigned into law 04/2009P-12Project Graduation Commission
H.B. 1956
Creates the Arkansas project graduation commission to investigate high school dropout prevention strategies, analyze the relationship between high school graduation rates and the state's economy, and to recommend strategies that will increase the overall high ...

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INSigned into law 04/2009P-12Dropout Prevention
H.B. 1343
Creates the dropout prevention fund, to be administered by the Department of Education, to provide money for school corporation programs that identify students who are at risk of dropping out of school; provides for development of appropriate interventions for...

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OKSigned into law 04/2009P-12Mentorship Programs to Reduce Dropouts
H.B. 1050
New law. Directs the state department to encourage school districts to develop mentorship programs aimed at reducing drop-out rates; specifies components of program; provides that the goal of these programs shall be to identify middle school and high school st...

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WASigned into law 04/2009P-12At-Risk
H.B. 1492
Authorizes subcontractors participating in the Independent Youth Housing Program to use program monies to pay for professional mental health services, as well as tuition costs for court-ordered classes and programs, provided the subcontractor determines that t...

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WASigned into law 04/2009P-12Alternative Program
H.B. 1505
Authorizes diversion for sexually exploited juveniles that provides services to include housing, mental health counseling, education, employment, chemical dependency treatment, and skill building. Chapter 252.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/...

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GAAdopted 03/2009P-12Grant Programs
GAC 96-1-.01, .04, .05, .07
Establishes guidelines for the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention and Treatment grant program, the Abstinence Until Marriage grant program, the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant program, and the Caring Communities grant program.
Juvenile Delinquency Prevention ...

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KSSigned into law 03/2009P-12At-Risk
S.B. 40
Relates to the At-risk Education Council. Makes a repeal. Chapter 2009-18
http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2010/40.pdf...

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KYAdopted 02/2009P-12Extended School Services
704 KAR 3:390
Establishes requirements for extended school services. Defines "A5 program" as an alternative program with no attendance boundaries, serving dropouts returning to an alternate educational environment, potential dropouts, discipline problem students, nontraditi...

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TXAdopted 02/2009P-12Communities in Schools Program
19 TAC 2.89.EE.89.1501 -1503, .1505, .1507, .1509, .1511
Establishes definitions and an equitable funding formula for local Communities In Schools (CIS) Programs for youth dropout prevention....

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VASigned into law 02/2009P-12Students At-Risk for Long-Term Suspension
H.B. 1945
Provides that a school division may assign a student deemed at-risk for a long-term suspension to a regional alternative education program; clarifies that the program is a regional alternative education program.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?091+...

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+ 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
+ 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