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
+ 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
NDSigned into law 08/2009P-12Provides for a legislative council study of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/61-2009/bill-text/JAMP0300.pdf
Title: H.B. 1309
Source: http://www.legis.nd.gov

NDSigned into law 08/2009P-12Creates a state youth council; sets membership and duties. Requires the North Dakota youth council to develop a list of issues and concerns pertinent to residents of this state who have not yet reached the age of twenty-five. The list may include education, health care, employment opportunities, and quality of life issues such as recreation and entertainment. The council, on its own and in conjunction with any guests it elects to invite, is to explore its issues and concerns, review current situations, and develop recommendations for consideration by local, regional, and state-level policymakers. The council is required to provide a report and any recommendations to the legislative council before September 1, 2010.
http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/61-2009/bill-text/JBNH0400.pdf
Title: H.B. 1463
Source: http://www.legis.nd.gov

MESigned into law 06/2009P-12Enacts the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children; relates to active duty status; relates to veterans, educational records, extracurricular activities and member states.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/HP092801.pdf
Title: H.B. 928
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org/

ORSigned into law 05/2009P-12Exempts children under 16 years of age from limitation on hours of work during summer and any vacation period of five or more consecutive school days in school year.
http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2800.dir/hb2826.en.pdf
Title: H.B. 2826
Source: http://www.leg.state.or.us

MDSigned into law 04/2009P-12Establishes, through an Interstate Compact with specified member states, the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children in elementary and secondary schools; provides for transfer of records.
http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/bills/hb/hb0306t.pdf
Title: H.B. 306; S.B. 257
Source: http://mlis.state.md.us/

MDSigned into law 04/2009P-12Alters the term of a youth member of the Youth Advisory Council; increases the term of a youth member who is elected cochair of the Council; requires the State Department of Education to categorize a specified number of school absences per school year of a youth member as lawful absences if the absence was due to the business of the Council.
http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/bills/hb/hb0485t.pdf
Title: H.B. 485; S.B. 463
Source: http://mlis.state.md.us/

NMSigned into law 04/2009P-12Enacts the School Athletics Equity Act which provides that each public school shall operate its athletics program in a manner that does not discriminate against students or staff on the basis of gender; provides for collection of data concerning school athletics programs.
http://nmlegis.gov/Sessions/09%20Regular/final/HB0432.pdf
Title: H.B. 432
Source: http://nmlegis.gov/

WASigned into law 04/2009P-12Regards recess periods for elementary school students; requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to collaborate with the statewide parent-teacher organization to conduct and report the results of a survey of Washington elementary schools to determine the current availability of recess for elementary students and the perceptions of the importance of recess in Washington elementary schools. Chapter 182
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Passed%20Legislature/5551-S.PL.pdf
Title: S.B. 5551
Source: http://apps.leg.wa.gov

WASigned into law 04/2009Postsec.Regards insurance for higher education students participating in study or research abroad; authorizes a governing board of a state institution of higher education to require its students who participate in studies or research outside of the United States sponsored, arranged, or approved by the institution to purchase, as a condition of participation, certain insurance approved by the governing board; prohibits requiring insurance if the student is already under sufficient coverage of another policy. Chapter 297
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Passed%20Legislature/5925-S2.PL.pdf
Title: S.B. 5925
Source: http://apps.leg.wa.gov

ARSigned into law 03/2009P-12Removes barriers to educational success for military children.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB1400.pdf
Title: H.B. 1400
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us

IASigned into law 03/2009P-12Establishes the interstate compact on educational opportunity for military children; establishes a council on educational opportunity for military children to provide advice and recommendations regarding this state's participation in and compliance with the interstate compact; directs the governor to appoint a military family education liaison to assist military families and the state in facilitating the implementation of the compact.
http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=BillInfo&Service=Billbook&ga=83&menu=text&hbill=HF214
Title: H.B. 214
Source: http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us

MSSigned into law 03/2009P-12Relates to interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children; enact.
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2009/pdf/SB/2600-2699/SB2669SG.pdf
Title: S.B. 2669
Source: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us

MSSigned into law 03/2009P-12Relates to school classrooms; allow parents to choose if twins attend same class or separate classes.
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2009/pdf/HB/1100-1199/HB1191SG.pdf
Title: H.B. 1191
Source: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us

VASigned into law 03/2009P-12Establishes a compact to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?091+ful+HB1727ER
Title: H.B. 1727
Source: http://leg1.state.va.us

VASigned into law 03/2009P-12Requires local school boards to develop and implement policies to allow a parent of twins or higher order multiples to request that the children be placed in the same classroom or separate classrooms if they are in the same grade level at the same elementary school.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?091+ful+HB2070ER
Title: H.B. 2070
Source: http://leg1.state.va.us/

WYSigned into law 03/2009Postsec.Relates to the Teacher Shortage Loan Repayment Program; expands loan program to specified teaching endorsements; excludes federal financial assistance as loan eligibility requirement for specified programs; specifies loan amount; adds reading and English as a second language to the list of courses that qualify for a loan recipient to teach in order to repay the loan without cash payment. Chapter 121
http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2009/Enroll/HB0173.pdf
Title: H.B. 173
Source: http://legisweb.state.wy.us

+ 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