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
TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12Existing policy requires a county with a population greater than 125,000 to develop a juvenile justice alternative education program. This provision adds that a county with a population greater than 125,000 is not required to develop a juvenile justice alternative education program if, with the state juvenile probation commission's approval, the county's juvenile board enters into a memorandum of understanding with each school district that outlines the responsibilities of the board and districts in minimizing the number of students expelled without receiving alternative educational services and includes specified coordination between districts and juvenile boards. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01425F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1425
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us

MNSigned into law 05/2009P-12Establishes parameters for alternative learning centers, alternative learning programs, and contract alternative programs.
https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H0002.5.html&session=ls86
Title: H.F. 2
Source: https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us

MSSigned into law 04/2009P-12Authorizes students assigned to alternative schools to attend workforce training programs; requires each school district having an alternative school program to submit an annual report to the state department of education describing the results of its annual alternative school program review and evaluation.
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2009/pdf/SB/2500-2599/SB2575SG.pdf
Title: S.B. 2575
Source: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us

VASigned into law 03/2009P-12Provides that pending the decision by the division superintendent as to whether to require that a student charged with an offense involving intentional injury to another student of the school division attend an alternative education program, a local school board may impose a short-term suspension upon such student; provides that a school board may require a student charged with certain juvenile offenses to attend an alternative education program.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?091+ful+HB2341ER
Title: H.B. 2341
Source: http://leg1.state.va.us

KYAdopted 02/2009P-12Establishes 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, nontraditional students (e.g., students who have to work during the school day), students needing emotional or psychological treatment and other at-risk students. Clarifies that "extended school services" are for students unlikely to achieve proficiency, transition to the next level of learning successfully, or be able to meet the academic expectations in 703 KAR 4:060 without additional time or differentiated opportunity to learn. Adds that "extended school services" also includes instructional and support services provided as interventions included in the student's intervention plan, in primary through grade 5, or in the student's Individual Learning Plan, in grades 6-12, to ensure that the student remains in school and is on track to meet goals for postsecondary education and career after high school. Provides definitions for "formative assessment," "individual learning plan" and "interim or benchmark assessments." Adds community based mentoring and academic advising to noninstructional activities that may be characterized as "support services."

Clarifies that extended school services (ESS) are to to provide additional time and differentiated opportunity to learn in which rigorous academic and enrichment content are aligned with individual student needs to improve struggling students' performance. Provides that priorities for ESS must be placed on designing and delivering services to students at academic risk with specific objective that students are able to:
(1) Progress from grade to grade with their cohort
(2) Exit elementary school ready to meet middle school-level academic expectations
(3) Exit middle school ready to meet high school-level academic expectations
(4) Exit high school ready to meet academic expectations of postsecondary education and the workplace, with particular emphasis on literacy and mathematics.


Specifies that the extended school services provided to a student shall be planned, documented and evaluated through the intervention plan, at primary through grade 5, or in the student's Individual Learning Plan, in grades 6 through 12. Removes existing language on components that the instructional program for extended services must include. Requires the instructional program for ESS to include
(1) diagnostic assessments to identify areas of greatest academic need,
(2) Development of goals, in consultation with classroom teachers, for eliminating the identified academic need, including timelines and specific measurable outcomes
(3) Formative and summative assessments to facilitate student progress and to determine if the student has achieved the learning goals of the intervention plan
(4) Instructional strategies that are varied and that do not replicate practices that have proven to be ineffective for the student in the traditional classroom
(5) A plan for collaboration and consistent use of interventions among the teachers supporting the student in core academic classes and those providing supports through extended school services
(6) Counseling and academic advising to remove barriers to achievement
(7) Regular communication with the parent or guardian

Provides that the ESS instructional program may be operated during the regular school day or in night programs.

Specifies ESS must provide differentiated opportunity to learn. Directs certified staff to plan, deliver and evaluate extended school services instruction and supports in collaboration as part of a student's Individual Learning Plan (ILP)

Requires teachers providing instruction in extended school programs to be provided with professional development on effective instructional strategies for meeting the needs of at-risk students and use of formative assessment strategies to monitor progress. Requires certified staff to supervise noncertified tutors.

Provides that students may be identified as in need of extended school services based on student performance on high school, college or workforce readiness assessments required by KRS 158.6459

Requires districts solicit input from parents and the community to identify potential barriers to participation. Requires that identified barriers be addressed through engagement with community partners or off-campus locations of after school, weekend or evening services.

Provides "A6 program" means that unique line for a school that starts in the biennium ending with the school year 2009-10 at one standard error of measurement below the school's baseline accountability index to a point that is one standard error of measurement below 80 on the accountability index scale in the biennium ending with the school year 2013-14, with the calculated points defining this line rounded to the nearest tenth. If a school's baseline is above 80, the assistance line means a horizontal line at 80 minus one standard error of measurement.
Title: 704 KAR 3:390
Source: www.lexis.com

VASigned into law 02/2009P-12Provides 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+ful+HB1945ER
Title: H.B. 1945
Source: http://leg1.state.va.us

+ 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
+ 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