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
CAVetoed 10/2009P-12Amends existing law that authorizes a pupil to be excused from school for specified reasons. Includes civic engagement activities offered by a nonprofit organization or a governmental entity among the types of absences that are excused. Provides a pupil may not be excused from school when the absence is due to participation in a demonstration or political campaign. Provides participation in civic engagement activities may not exceed 10 days per academic year. Defines "civic engagement activities" as volunteering to work in a community to help address a problem or interact with the institutions of representative democracy, and provides that such activities may include volunteering at a community-based nonprofit organization, serving on a neighborhood association, tutoring or mentoring young children, testifying before the local city council or appearing before a state or federal board or committee. Specifies that civic engagement activities do not include participation in a demonstration or political campaign, and prohibits a school from excusing a pupil from school when the absence is due to participation in a demonstration or political campaign. Bill: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_0751-0800/ab_796_bill_20090910_enrolled.pdf Veto message: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_0751-0800/ab_796_vt_20091012.html
Title: A.B. 796
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

NVRule Adoption 10/2009P-12Revises provisions governing credit granted for a specific course of study without having attended regularly scheduled classes.
www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/CHAPTERS.HTMl
Title: NAC 389.670
Source: www.leg.state.nv.us

NVRule Adoption 10/2009P-12Revises provisions governing the reasons listed in the master register of enrollment and attendance for withdrawal of a pupil.
www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/CHAPTERS.HTMl
Title: NAC 387.048, .215
Source: www.leg.state.nv.us

WISigned into law 10/2009P-12Beginning on September 1, 2011, a school board may not enroll a child in the first grade in a school in the school district, including in a charter school located in the school district, unless the child has completed 5-year-old kindergarten. Requires each school board that operates a 5-year-old kindergarten program to adopt a written policy specifying the criteria for promoting a pupil from 5-year-old kindergarten to the first grade. Requires each board to establish procedures, conditions, and standards for exempting a child from the requirement that the child complete kindergarten as a prerequisite to enrollment in the first grade and for reviewing the denial of an exemption upon the request of the pupil's parent or guardian. A child must be admitted to first grade if before either commencing or completing first grade, the child moved into Wisconsin from a state, country, or territory in which completion of 5-year-old kindergarten is a prerequisite to entering first grade and the child was exempted from the requirement to complete 5-year-old kindergarten in the state, country, or territory from which the child moved. Act No. 41. http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/acts/09Act41.pdf
Title: A.B. 119
Source: http://www.legis.state.wi.us

NDSigned into law 08/2009P-12Requires teachers to notify administrators when a student is absent without an excuse. Requires administrators to investigate the absence. Provides for penalities. Unless the responsible party (parent, guardian) has made substantial and reasonable attempts to get student to attend, "Any person who fails to ensure that a child is in attendance as required by this chapter is
guilty of an infraction for a first offense and is guilty of a class B misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense."
http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/61-2009/bill-text/JBDE0300.pdf
Title: S.B. 2217
Source: http://www.legis.nd.gov

NDSigned into law 08/2009P-12Modifies 15.1-06-01. Changes the cut-off date for enrollment in grade one from September first to August first. For kindergarten, the cut-off date changes from five by September first of the year of enrollment to August first. Provides exception for children who are six by December first (changed from January 1) and who meet other readiness indicators. Schools are free, open and accessible to students who have not reached the age of 21 prior to August first (changed from September first). Effective July 2010. http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/61-2009/bill-text/JBCQ0300.pdf
Title: H.B. 1378
Source: http://www.legis.nd.gov

OHSigned into law 07/2009P-12Defines "extracurricular activity". Requires districts to provide students with up to four days of excused absence per school year for a student absence for the sole purpose of traveling out of state to participate in an enrichment activity approved by the local board of education or an extracurricular activity. Provides districts must require any such student to complete any classroom assignments that the student misses because of the absence. Specifies that if a student will be absent for four or more days due to an enrichment or extracurricular activity, a classroom teacher employed by the school district must accompany the
student to provide instructional assistance. Page 1406 of 3120: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText128/128_HB_1_EN_N.pdf
Title: H.B. 1 - Section 3321.041
Source: www.legislature.state.oh.us

LASigned into law 06/2009P-12Spells out policies for habitual absence and tardiness of students, including penalties for violations by parents and legal guardians or custodians of such students. Addresses the crime of improper supervision of a minor as it relates to habitually absent or tardy students; penalties and minimum conditions of probation for certain violations by parents or legal custodians of such students, including fines, school or community service, attendance in parenting classes and family counseling programs, and the suspension of certain licenses.
http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=663977
Title: H.B. 731
Source: http://www.legis.state.la.us/

LAAdopted 06/2009P-12Allows excused absences for students for visitation with a parent who is a member of the Armed Forces or the National Guard of a state and such parent has been called to active duty for or is on leave from overseas deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting.
http://doa.louisiana.gov/osr/lac/28v115/28v115.doc
Title: LAC 28:CXV.1103
Source: http://doa.louisiana.gov/

TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12Allows districts to grant excused absences for juniors and seniors visiting institutions of higher education. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02542F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2542
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us

TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12Allows certain high school students to serve as election clerks. Provides an excused absence for such service. Adds new section 33.092 allowing a student election clerk to apply such time served toward a school service requirement or school project requirement, subject to local discretion. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01134F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1134
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us

ALSigned into law 05/2009P-12Adds Alabama to the Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, an interstate compact to address the education transition issues of children of active duty military families. Allows for the uniform treatment at the state and local district level of military children for transferring between school districts and states.
Title: H.B. 438
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

GASigned into law 05/2009P-12Provides for the transfer of students who are military dependents into a local school system. Provides that students must be placed in grade level commensurate with their grade level in the sending state at the time of transition, including in kindergarten, regardless of age. Requires local school systems to initially honor student placement in courses based on the student's enrollment in the sending state school or assessments administered at the school in the sending state, if the courses are offered, including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, vocational, technical and career pathway courses. Also requires local school systems to initially honor education program placements in the sending state, including placement in English as a second language and gifted and talented programs. Directs local school systems to be flexible in waiving course or program prerequisites or other preconditions for placement in courses and programs.

Allows additional excused absences for students whose parent has been called to active duty for, is on leave from or immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting. Directs local school systems to facilitate the opportunity for transitioning qualified military children's inclusion in extracurricular activities, regardless of application deadlines. Adds provisions related to high school course substitution, and recognition of other states' exit exams, national norm-referenced achievement tests or alternative testing to facilitate on-time graduation. Provides that if a military student transferring at the beginning or during his or her senior year is ineligible to graduate from the receiving local education agency after all alternatives have been considered, the local school system must coordinate with the sending local education agency to ensure the receipt of a diploma. http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/pdf/sb114.pdf
Title: S.B. 114
Source: www.legis.state.ga.us

ARSigned into law 04/2009P-12Allows a student whose parent or guardian is employed by a school district or educational service cooperative to continue attendance at a nonresident school district in some circumstances.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1368.pdf
Title: S.B. 847
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us

MDSigned into law 04/2009P-12Prohibits a principal from suspending or expelling a student from school solely for attendance-related offenses.
http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/bills/hb/hb0660t.pdf
Title: H.B. 660; S.B. 241
Source: http://mlis.state.md.us/

MSSigned into law 04/2009P-12Deletes the requirement that the school superintendent must approve student absences for medical and dental appointments. Authorizes a designee of the superintendent to report unlawful absences to the school attendance officer.
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2009/pdf/HB/0500-0599/HB0525SG.pdf
Title: H.B. 525
Source: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us

NMSigned into law 04/2009P-12Changes terms and notice provisions of compulsory attendance policies; clarifies how unexcused absences are determined; requires reports.
http://nmlegis.gov/Sessions/09%20Regular/final/SB0189.pdf
Title: S.B. 189
Source: http://nmlegis.gov/

KYSigned into law 03/2009P-12Allows a local board of education in a county identified as a federal disaster area because of Tropical Storm Ike and the severe weather storm of January and February of 2009 to request from the commissioner of education up to ten disaster days missed and require the commissioner to approve the request. http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/09RS/HB322/bill.doc
Title: H.B. 322
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

KYSigned into law 03/2009P-12Relates to students of civilian military employees; provides students of civilian military employees the same rights as students of military families under the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children if the parents are required to move to perform their job responsibilities, resulting in the students changing schools. http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/09RS/SB39/bill.doc
Title: S.B. 39
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

KYSigned into law 03/2009P-12Requires a school principal to give up to 10 days excused school absence for children of Armed Forces servicemembers if the parent is stationed out of the country and is granted leave. http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/09RS/HB124/bill.doc
Title: H.B. 124
Source: www.lrc.ky.gov

UTSigned into law 03/2009P-12Adds 53A-11-1401 through -1404, collectively known as Education Policies for Military Children. Provides definitions. Allows for certain exceptions when military children transfer schools, including the use of official and unofficial education records, time periods for producing official records, age of school enrollment, immunizations and graduation provisions. Provides that tuition may not be charged a military child in the care of a non-custodial parent or other person living in a jurisdiction other than that of the custodial parent. http://le.utah.gov/~2009/bills/hbillenr/hb0194.pdf
Title: H.B. 194
Source: le.utah.gov

ARSigned into law 02/2009P-12Ensures consistent public school attendance laws.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/SB295.pdf
Title: S.B. 295
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us

VASigned into law 02/2009P-12Provides that the sufficient cause necessary to suspend a student cannot rest solely on instances of tardiness or truancy.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?091+ful+HB1794ER
Title: H.B. 1794
Source: http://leg1.state.va.us/

VASigned into law 02/2009P-12Provides for the suspension of the driver's license or learner's permit of any minor who has 10 or more unexcused absences from public school on consecutive school days.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?091+ful+HB1826ER
Title: H.B. 1826
Source: http://leg1.state.va.us

COAdopted 01/2009P-12Provides specificity for consistency in reporting attendance and truancy data across school districts and BOCES. Allows the usage these indicators to leverage resources to support the complete success of children and youth in school.

http://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/NumericalSubDocList.do?deptID=4&deptName=300 Education&agencyID=109&agencyName=301 State Board of Education , Colorado&ccrDocID=3012&ccrDocName=1 CCR 301-78 RULES CONCERNING THE STANDARDIZED CALCULATION FOR COUNTING STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND TRUANCY
Title: 1 CCR 301-78
Source: http://www.sos.state.co.us

+ 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