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
+ 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
OHSigned into law 12/2009Postsec.Postsecondary Construction
H.B. 318 - Section 8
During fiscal year 2010, directs the chancellor of the board of regents to designate one construction project at three different state institutions of higher education as a Construction Reform Demonstration Project, which may use alternative methods of constru...

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WISigned into law 12/2009P-12Environmental Quality in Schools Task Force
S.B. 41
Establishes the Indoor Environmental Quality in Schools Task Force; directs the task force to make recommendations to the Department of Public Instruction for development of a model management plan for maintaining indoor environmental quality in public and pri...

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ILSigned into law 11/2009P-12Chicago Educational Facilities Task Force
H.B. 363
Requires the establishment of a Chicago Educational Facilities Task Force in order to ensure that school facility-related decisions are made with the input of the parents, teachers and community residents, and reflect educationally sound and fiscally responsib...

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RISigned into law 11/2009P-12School Buildings Must Be "Green"
S.B. 232
Requires all public buildings, including schools, to be constructed or renovated, to meet standards established by the United States Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating silver standard. http://www.rilin.st...

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CASigned into law 10/2009P-12Sharing of Real Property and Buildings
A.B. 1080
Authorizes a school district to enter into leases and agreements relating to real property and buildings to be used jointly by the district and a local government agency. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_1051-1100/ab_1080_bill_20091011_chaptered...

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CAVetoed 10/2009P-12Seismic Safety Inventory of School Buildings
S.B. 305
Requires the Office of the State Architect to update the seismic safety inventory of school buildings and related report to more accurately identify building deficiencies in school facilities currently being used for public school purposes. Requires the State ...

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CAVetoed 10/2009P-12Review for Approval of Athletic Facilities for Gender Equitability
A.B. 685
Requires the state department of education to include, as part of its review of an application for new construction plan approval, a determination of whether a project that includes athletics-related facilities provides the opportunity for gender equitable acc...

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CAVetoed 10/2009P-12Constructability Reviews
A.B. 1120
Requires the department of general services to distribute information on the use of constructability reviews of plans and specifications used for the construction of school facilities and the potential for cost savings that may be realized by the use of such r...

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CASigned into law 10/2009P-12Charter School Facilities
S.B. 592
From Legislative Counsel's Digest:
Amends existing law which requires that, prior to receiving funding, title to property used for a charter school facilities project shall be held by the school district in which the facility is to be physically located, in t...

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ILSigned into law 08/2009P-12Asbestos Abatement
S.B. 2145
Amends the Asbestos Abatement Act. Deletes a provision requiring the department of public health to require local educational agencies to submit to the department certain asbestos related response action contracts for which the agency seeks indemnification and...

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ILSigned into law 08/2009Community CollegeElectronic
H.B. 862
Provides that electronic bid submissions to community colleges must be considered a sealed document for competitive bid requests if they are received at the designated office by the time and date set for receipt for bids. Requires electronic bid submissions to...

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ILSigned into law 08/2009P-12Radon Testing
H.B. 4223
Recommends that school buildings be tested for radon every five years. Recommends that schools be built using radon resistant construction techniques. Allows a district to notify parents and faculty of radon test results. Requires districts to report radon tes...

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NYSigned into law 08/2009P-12New York City School Construction Authority Act
A.B. 8903 - New York City School Construction Authority Act
Extends sunset date of New York City School Construction Authority Act to June 30, 2014. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A08903&sh=t...

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AZSigned into law 07/2009P-12Charter School Facilities
H.B. 2346
Provides for the property tax classification of property leased to a not-for-profit charter school; exempts property that is owned by an educational, religious or charitable organization and leased to a not for profit educational organization from taxation; cl...

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ILSigned into law 07/2009P-12Construction Projects
H.B. 2424 - Article 30, Section 30-20
Requires school construction projects supported by grants from the Capital Development Board to receive silver certification from the United States Green
Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System. Creates new...

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KYAdopted 07/2009P-12School Buildings
702 KAR 4:160
Amends rules that establishing standards that school districts shall meet in operational performance, including construction of public school buildings and the use of uniform forms. http://www.lrc.ky.gov/kar/702/004/160.htm...

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OHSigned into law 07/2009P-12School Facilities Commission Director Reporting Responsibilities
H.B. 1 - Section 3318.312
Directs the executive director of the Ohio school facilities commission, at the state superintendent's request, to advise the superintendent of demands upon and other issues related to existing classroom facilities that may arise due to new operating requireme...

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OHSigned into law 07/2009P-12School Health and Safety Inspections
H.B. 1 - Sections 3313.473, 3313.86, 3701.93 through 3701.936
From DOE summary of H.B. 1:
Section 3313.86: Creates new Section 3313.86. Requires school districts, community schools, STEM schools and chartered nonpublic schools to periodically review their policies and procedures to ensure (1) the safety of persons using...

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OHSigned into law 07/2009P-12Survey of Community Space
H.B. 1 - Section 385.40
Requires the executive director of the Ohio School Facilities Commission to survey classroom facilities projects financed by the commission and compile descriptions of how spaces within those facilities are used for activities, services and programs shared bet...

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HISigned into law 06/2009P-12
Postsec.
Fire Inspections
S.B. 564
Makes discretionary, rather than mandatory, fire inspections conducted by the county fire chiefs. Provides that frequency of inspections of buildings other than public schools will be at least once every 5 years rather than every 2 years. http://www.capitol.ha...

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HIVetoed 06/2009P-12Standards for Facilities
H.B. 986
Requires construction and renovation of public school facilities to meet the Collaborative for High Performance Schools standards. Also requires prioritization of public school facilities projects in accordance with certain criteria.
Bill text: http://www.capi...

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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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NCSigned into law 06/2009P-12Building Standards/Pre-K Classes in Public Schools
H.B. 1031
Provides that public schools seeking voluntary child care facility licensure may use the same building standards for prekindergarten classrooms as for Kindergarten classrooms meeting certain requirements. http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2009/Bills/House/P...

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NCSigned into law 06/2009P-12Meaning of Public School Buildings as Related to After-school Programs
S.B. 1030
Clarifies the meaning of public school buildings as related to after-school child care programs as "any building which is currently approved for school occupancy and which houses a public or private elementary school to include the playgrounds and athletic fie...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12
Postsec.
Sharing Underused Postsecondary Classrooms
H.B. 746
Authorizes an institution of higher education to make available underused classrooms for use by a public junior college for teaching core courses or continuing education courses. Permits institution of higher education to charge another institution for the use...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12Portable/Modular Classrooms
H.B. 2763
Defines "relocatable educational facility." Provides that a relocatable educational facility purchased or leased on or after January 1, 2010 must comply with all Occupations Code provisions applicable to industrialized buildings. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/t...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12
Postsec.
K-12/Postsecondary Sharing of Facility Costs
H.B. 3646 - Section 74
Authorizes a school district and an institution of higher education located wholly or partially in the county in which the district is located to contract for the district to pay a portion of the costs of designing or building an instructional facility or stad...

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WISigned into law 06/2009P-12Funding Adjustments for School Safety Plans, School Nurses, Transportation, and Energy Efficiency
A.B. 75
Adds 121.91 (4) (L). Defines "local law enforcement agency". Provides additional funding if a local board and local law enforcement agency (1) jointly develop a school safety plan that specifies the purposes
of the additional revenue, (2) the school safety pla...

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COSigned into law 05/2009P-12Renewable Energy Efficiency for School Buildings
H.B. 1312
Creates the renewable energy and energy efficiency for schools loan program to fund renewable energy projects and battery-powered and hybrid-electric bus projects in qualified school districts; makes the administration of the program a permissible use of money...

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HISigned into law 05/2009P-12Air Conditioner Electricity and Maintenance Costs
H.B. 179
Repeals certain provisions regarding the cost of electricity and maintenance for air conditioners in schools that were not installed by the Department of Accounting and General Services and the cost for repair and maintenance of donated fixtures and equipment....

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NDSigned into law 05/2009P-12Maintenance of Insurance
H.B. 1400 - Section 10, Insurance
During the 2009-10 school year and at least once every eight years thereafter, each district is required to obtain an appraisal of its buildings and its facilities, and an inventory of their
contents. Requires annual review the terms of any insurance policies ...

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NVSigned into law 05/2009P-12School Construction
A.B. 220
Revises requirements for the purchase of property on subdivided land for school construction; provides that in counties of a specified size a school district and subdivider may negotiate a purchase price which is the lesser of the fair market value of the land...

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ARSigned into law 04/2009P-12Academic Facilities Review Board
H.B. 1852
Establishes an academic facilities review board; provides public school districts with an additional opportunity for a hearing on the determination regarding state financial participation for academic facilities projects.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly...

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ARSigned into law 04/2009P-12Inspections of Academic Facilities
S.B. 863
Provides a process for routine inspections and reporting of inspections of public school academic facilities.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1475.pdf...

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IASigned into law 04/2009P-12
Postsec.
Wind Energy Production
S.B. 456
Modifies provisions for facilities qualifying for wind energy production and renewable energy tax credits; provides for use by a private college, university, community college, institution under the control of the state board of regents, public or accredited n...

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IDSigned into law 04/2009P-12School Building Plans
H.B. 251
Relating to the State Building Code Act; provides that public school building plans shall be approved by either the local government or the Division of Building Safety; provides that certain cities and counties shall be eligible to perform school plan reviews ...

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IDSigned into law 04/2009P-12Cooperative Service Agency Facilities
H.B. 253
Amends and adds to existing law relating to cooperative service agencies to revise provisions relating to certain levies for the purpose of constructing and maintaining facilities of a cooperative service agency; provides that a cooperative service agency may ...

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IDSigned into law 04/2009P-12Facilities
S.B. 1132
Relates to school building design and energy efficiency; provides that school districts may seek to qualify for reductions in building replacement value calculations for certain buildings; provides for the use of integrated design practices and fundamental com...

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INSigned into law 04/2009P-12Facilities
H.B. 1097
Requires the state board of education to adopt standards concerning indoor and outdoor air quality and water quality as part of the nonbinding guidelines for school corporation construction, alteration, and repair of school buildings and athletic and other fac...

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WASigned into law 04/2009P-12finance
H.B. 2261
Concerns the state's education system; finds ample evidence of a need for continuing to refine the program of basic education funded by the state and delivered by school districts; declares an intent to continue to review, evaluate, and revise the definition a...

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WASigned into law 04/2009P-12Capacity Report
H.B. 2261--Section 113, Capacity
Section 113 charged the office of the superintendent of public instruction with making biennial determinations of the state educational system's capacity to: provide the capital facilities necessary to support a particular instructional program; the staffing l...

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KSSigned into law 03/2009P-12Facilities
S.B. 187
Enacts the state fire marshal commissioned inspector act; provides that the state fire marshal and any state educational institution may enter into an agreement under which employees of the state educational institution are commissioned by the state fire marsh...

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WYSigned into law 03/2009P-12Facilities
H.B. 299
Relates to school facilities; modifies budget process forwarding school building projects recommended by the school facilities commission; requires an audit.
Chapter 207
http://legisweb.state.wy.us...

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+ 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