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--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
RISigned into law 11/2009P-12Autism Spectrum Disorder Education Act
H.B. 5266
Creates the Autism Spectrum Disorder Education Act. Requires the state departments of health, education, and human services to implement pro...

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CASigned into law 10/2009Postsec.Captioned Electronic Instructional Materials
A.B. 386
Relates to existing law which requires publishers and manufacturers of printed instructional material for use at public postsecondary educat...

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ILSigned into law 08/2009P-12"Twice-Exceptional" Students
H.B. 900
Requires the Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities and the Advisory Council on the Education of Gifted and Talente...

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ILSigned into law 08/2009P-12Special Education--Personnel, Costs, Instruction in Home or Hospital
H.B. 1190
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Amends job titles defined under staff working on behalf of children who ha...

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ILSigned into law 08/2009P-12Transportation of Special Needs Students
H.B. 2362
Adds contracts providing for the transportation of pupils with special needs or disabilities to the list of exceptions to the requirement th...

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ILSigned into law 08/2009P-12Visiting a Student with Disabilities at School
H.B. 628
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that a parent, an independent educational evaluator, or a qualifi...

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ILSigned into law 08/2009P-12MRSA Prevention in Residential Schools and Juvenile Corrections Centers
H.B. 185
Creates the MRSA Prevention, Control, and Reporting Act to to improve the prevention of infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococc...

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ILSigned into law 08/2009P-12Joint Agreements for Provision of Special Education
H.B. 809
In a section allowing school boards to enter into joint agreements with other school boards with respect to special education matters, provi...

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ILSigned into law 08/2009P-12Joint Agreements to Provide Special Education Services
S.B. 611 - Joint Agreements to Provide Special Education Services
Amends the Local Government Property Transfer Act to include in the definition of "transferee municipality" two or more districts operating ...

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NYSigned into law 08/2009P-12Residential Care Off-Site Facility Demonstration Project
A.B. 6818
Creates a residential care off-site facility demonstration project to assess reimbursement methodologies and delivery methods in conjunction...

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NYSigned into law 08/2009P-12City-Wide Council on Special Education
A.B. 8903 - City-Wide Council on Special Education
Makes technical changes to eligibility requirements of parent and high school senior members of the city-wide council on special education i...

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AZSigned into law 07/2009P-12Special Education
S.B. 1197
Establishes a task force on best practices in special education and behavior management; relates to training for teaches and classroom aids,...

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DCEmergency Rule Re-Adoption 07/2009P-12Special Education Responsibilities
DCMR Title 5, Chapter 30, Section 3019
Reflects the status of current law with a clear enunciation of charter school special education responsibilities. http://www.osse.dc.gov/seo...

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RISigned into law 07/2009P-12Study on Education of Children with Autism
H.B. 5691
Creates a special Joint Commission to make a comprehensive study of the education of children with autism and to report back to the General ...

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RIBecame law without governor's signature 07/2009P-12Special Joint Commission on Autism
S.B. 716
Creates a special joint commission whose purpose it would be to make a comprehensive study of the education of children with autism in the s...

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CTAdopted 06/2009P-12Use of Physical Restraint and Seclusion in Schools
RCSA 10-76b-5 thru -11
Addresses the use of physical restraining and seclusion in public schools for children who are or may be eligible for special education.
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MESigned into law 06/2009P-12Program Model for Children with Autism
S.B. 461
Directs the Department of Education to develop a program model for children with autism spectrum disorder to be used statewide in elementary...

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ORSigned into law 06/2009P-12School for the Blind
H.B. 2834
Directs the Superintendent of Public Instruction to close the State School for the Blind by a specified date; abolishes the school's Board o...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12Disability Services
H.B. 748
Authorizes a person providing disability services to contract with a state school or state center to provide services and resources for indi...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12Special Education Grants
H.B. 3646 - Section 16
Adds section 29.018. Directs the commissioner, using federal, appropriated state funds, or any other funds available, to make grants availab...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12Serving Mentally Retarded Offenders
S.B. 643
New provision defines alleged offender resident as a person with mental retardation who is charged with or convicted of a criminal offense, ...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12Interagency Task Force for Children with Special Needs
S.B. 1824
Defines "children with special needs" as children younger than 22 diagnosed with a chronic illness, intellectual or other developmental disa...

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ALSigned into law 05/2009P-12
Postsec.
Regional Autism Centers
H.B. 615
Specifies that the following provisions will become operative only when legislative funds are appropriated. Provides for the establishment o...

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INSigned into law 05/2009P-12Board for the Coordination of Programs Serving Vulnerable Individuals
H.B. 1289 - Section 1
Creates the board for the coordination of programs serving vulnerable individuals to coordinate the delivery of services to vulnerable indiv...

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MNSigned into law 05/2009P-12Alternate Dispute Resolution
H.F. 2
Amends various aspects of dispute resolution between parents of special education students and schools/districts, including: additional req...

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MNSigned into law 05/2009P-12Suspension of Children with Disabilities
H.F. 2
Consistent with federal law and state suspension procedures, allows school personnel to suspend children with disabilities. Establishes para...

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MNSigned into law 05/2009P-12Restrictive Procedures for Children With Disabilities
H.F. 2
Defines terms and amends policies pertaining to restrictive procedures for children with disabilities, including standards for restrictive p...

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MOSigned into law 05/2009P-12Exceptional Students
H.B. 236
Requires school districts to allow certain students with disabilities to participate in graduation ceremonies after four years of high schoo...

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MOSigned into law 05/2009P-12Parents Rights
S.B. 291--Parents' Bill of Rights
Requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to produce "The Parents' Bill of Rights" to inform parents of children with in...

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NESigned into law 05/2009P-12K-12 Technical Bill for 2009
L.B. 549
Statement of intent: Legislative Bill 549 is the K-12 education technical bill for 2009. Substantive changes would include reducing the time...

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OKSigned into law 05/2009P-12Staff Preparation to Treat Children with Autism
S.B. 135
Relates to autism; provides for the licensing of behavior analysts by the Department of Human Services; prohibits persons from using the tit...

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OKSigned into law 05/2009P-12Training for Special Education Hearing Officers
H.B. 1763
Directs the State Department of Education to provide training for special education hearing officers; requires hearing officers to complete ...

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TXSigned into law 05/2009P-12Autism Spectrum Disorders Resource Center
H.B. 1574
Establishes an autism spectrum disorders resource center to coordinate resources for individuals with autism and other pervasive development...

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WYAdopted 05/2009P-12SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
Chapter 7
Establishes emergency rules pertaining to the services for children with disabilities.
soswy.state.wy.us/AdminServices/Docs/09Rulesindex.pdf...

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ARSigned into law 04/2009P-12Legislative Task Force on Autism
S.B. 938
Creates the Legislative Task Force on Autism to examine how the State responds to autism and autism spectrum disorders, determine and recomm...

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INSigned into law 04/2009P-12Autism Training
H.B. 1455
Relates to autism training; requires certain firefighter and law enforcement personnel to be trained in interacting with individuals with au...

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NMSigned into law 04/2009P-12Special Education Student Tracking and Training Centers
H.B. 199
Clarifies the state's responsibility to provide special education services; requires Public Education Department participation in developmen...

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WASigned into law 04/2009P-12School for the Deaf
H.B. 1879
Provides for the delivery of educational services to children who are deaf and hearing impaired; establishes the Washington state center for...

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ARSigned into law 03/2009P-12Placement of Students with Behavioral Disabilities
S.B. 238
Ensures students categorized with behavioral disabilities in other states are promptly and adequately placed in the state public school syst...

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CAAdopted Rule Filing 03/2009P-12Special Education and Nonpublic Schools
Title 5 CCR Sec(s) 3001, 3051, 3060, 3061, 3062, 3063, 3064, 3065, 3066, 3067, 3068, 3069, 3070
Amends rules pertaining to special education and nonpublic schools. Clarifies requirements for certification of California nonpublic schools...

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MSSigned into law 03/2009P-12Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
H.B. 524
Relates to federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); provides that all references in the laws of this state to the Individ...

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NYAdopted 03/2009P-12State Special Education Forms
Title 8 NYCRR 200.4 and 200.5
Moves the date for required use of state forms for (1) individualized education programs, (1) prior written notice and (3) meeting notice fr...

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OHAdopted 03/2009P-12Autism Scholarship Program
OAC 3301-103-01 thru -08
Rescinds and re-establishes rules regarding the Autism Scholarship Program. Relates to application and eligibility; responsibilities of a sc...

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SDSigned by Governor 03/2009P-12Special education
S.B. 101
Clarifies the school residence of a child assigned to an approved out of district special education residential or tuition day program when ...

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UTSigned into law 03/2009P-12Special Needs Scholarships
H.B. 425
Modifies provisions of the Carson Smith Scholarships for Students with Special Needs Act, which provides funds for a child with a disability...

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UTSigned into law 03/2009P-12Services for Deaf and Blind Students
H.B. 296
On request, requires publishers of textbooks recommended by the state board to provide their textbooks and related instructional materials i...

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VASigned into law 03/2009P-12Certification of Individuals Providing Braille Instruction
H.B. 2224
Requires the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, together with the Department of Education, to promulgate regulations for the cert...

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VASigned into law 03/2009P-12Due Process Hearing
H.B. 2304
Provides that any party aggrieved by a decision made in a due process hearing provided to children with disabilities and their parents or gu...

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VASigned into law 03/2009P-12Board of Visitors of the State School for the Deaf and the Blind
H.B. 2353
Re-establishes the Board of Visitors of the State School for the Deaf and the Blind as the governing entity for the State School for the Dea...

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VASigned into law 02/2009P-12Defining Parent for Special Education
H.B. 2537
Defines parent for the purposes of special education identification, evaluation, and placement of a child and the provision of a free approp...

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MISigned into law 01/2009P-12Early Intervention Programs for K-3
S.B. 1039
Provides that an intermediate school district may develop and make available to districts and public school academies an early intervening m...

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+ 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