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
+ 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
ILSigned into law 11/2009P-12
Postsec.
Civil Rights
H.B. 2547
Provides that the exercise of free speech, free expression, free exercise of religion or expression of religiously based views by any individual or group of individuals that is protected under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and that occurs in a ...

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CAVetoed 10/2009P-12Access to Student Records
A.B. 261
Amends existing law that prohibits a school district from permitting access to pupil records to any person without parental consent or judicial order. Makes various changes to these pupil record provisions to conform them to federal law. Bill: http://www.legin...

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CAVetoed 10/2009P-12Immigration Agents, Immigration Status and Care for Neglected Pupils
A.B. 132
Creates new Section 32297. Provides that immigration agents shall not interfere with the education of pupils. Specifies that this policy not impede or restrict any lawful authority of immigration agents. Prohibits school officials and employees from collecting...

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ILSigned into law 08/2009Postsec.Credit Card Marketing Act of 2009
H.B. 2352
Creates the Credit Card Marketing Act of 2009. Requires institutions of higher education that enter into an agreement to market credit cards to students pursuing an education, or that allow their student groups, alumni associations, or affiliates to enter into...

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ILVetoed 08/2009Postsec.Data Security on State Computers Act
S.B. 2218 -- pp 1-4
Amends and adds to the Data Security on State Computers Act. Directs each public university's governing board to implement and administer
the provisions of the Act with respect to state-owned electronic data processing equipment used by the university. Require...

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ILSigned into law 08/2009P-12Confidentiality of Information
S.B. 1508
Provides that nothing contained in the Illinois School Student Records Act may be construed to impair or limit the confidentiality of information communicated in confidence to a school social worker, school counselor, school psychologist, or school psychologis...

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ALAdopted 07/2009P-12Alabama Educator Code of Ethics
290-4-1
Adds section creating the Alabama Educator Code of Ethics. Identifies nine areas of standards of conduct, including teacher/student relationships, background checks and confidentiality of the content of student records and standardized tests. Requires educator...

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OHSigned into law 07/2009P-12Timely Transfer of Student Records when Charter School Closes
H.B. 1 - Section 3314.44
Partially from DOE summary of H.B. 1: Specifies that if a community school closes, the chief administrative officer must transmit all educational records to the student's district of residence within seven business days of the school's closing. Provides that f...

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OHSigned into law 07/2009P-12Assignment of Surrogate Parent
H.B. 1 - Section 3323.05
From DOE summary of H.B. 1: Modifies existing procedural guidelines established for the department of education to protect the rights of a child whenever the parents of a child are not known or cannot be found, or a child is a ward of the state, specifying tha...

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FLSigned into law 06/2009P-12
Postsec.
Public Records Requirements
H.B. 7119
Provides exemption from public records requirements for K-12 education records held by agency, public school, center, institution, or other entity that is part of state's education system; provides the requirements for the release, use, and maintenance of educ...

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LASigned into law 06/2009P-12Student Records and Suspension/Expulsion
H.B. 545
Requires principals of public schools where a student was enrolled to release the student's records to a public or nonpublic school which is inside or outside of the state, where the student is enrolled or seeking enrollment; requires the records to contain in...

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ORSigned into law 06/2009P-12Student Records
S.B. 512
Requires notice to a school administrator when a youth is within jurisdiction of the juvenile court, is charged with or convicted of certain offenses, or is excused by reason of insanity; requires notice when a petition is set aside or dismissed or the youth i...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009Postsec.Tuition Set-Asides for Financial Aid
S.B. 1304
Creates new Section 56.014. Directs institutions of higher education that are required to set aside a portion of student tuition payments to provide financial aid to notify each student from which a portion of tuition payments is set aside of the amount requir...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12Disclosure of Child Misdemeanor Information
S.B. 1056
Bars criminal justice agencies from publicly disclosing criminal history information related to a child's conviction for a misdemeanor offense punishable by fine only. Provides an exception allowing such information to be disclosed to specified agencies and en...

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WISigned into law 06/2009P-12Milwaukee Parental Choice Program
A.B. 75
Requires that a private school participating in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program adhere to policies that apply to public schools/districts regarding transfer of pupil records (i.e., requires that a private school transfer a pupil's records within five wor...

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FLSigned into law 05/2009P-12Exemption From Public Records Law for Information Identifying a Child in a Government-sponsored Recreation Program
H.B. 7019
Removes the scheduled repeal under the Open Government Sunset Review Act of an exemption from public records requirements for information that would identify or locate a child who participates in a government-sponsored recreation program (i.e., a program for w...

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MNSigned into law 05/2009P-12Access to Student Records
H.F. 2
Allows a child's parent or guardian to designate a "significant individual" to participate in a school conference involving that child. Requires the parent or guardian to give prior written consent to allow the individual to participate in the conference and h...

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OKSigned into law 05/2009Postsec.Agents May Not Contact Student Athletes
H.B. 1095
Amends Uniform Athlete Agents Act. Prohibits an athlete agent from any contact with a student-athlete who is not eligible to enter into a professional-sports-services contract. For the purposes of this subsection, "contact" shall not include general promotion...

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TNSigned into law 05/2009P-12Notice to Schools Clarified/Broadened
S.B. 680
Expands the offenses for which notice must be given to schools when an adjudicated delinquent juvenile offender is sent back into a regular school setting (to include an offense involving the use or attempted use of force, violence, or a deadly weapon).
http:...

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UTAdopted 05/2009P-12
Postsec.
E-Transcript and Record Exchange
R277-484
Changes state data system from "Data Clearinghouse File"-based to "UTREx" (Utah eTranscript and Record Exchange), effective July 1, 2010. Defines UTREx as system that allows individual student records to be exchanged electronically among public schools, LEAs a...

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MSSigned into law 03/2009P-12Student Records
S.B. 2313
Relates to student records; authorizes storage of permanent records by school districts in any acceptable form of medium.
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2009/pdf/SB/2300-2399/SB2313SG.pdf...

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VASigned into law 03/2009P-12School Records in Custody Cases
H.B. 2406
Expands the types of school records that may be admissible in cases involving custody of the student or termination of parental rights to all school records, rather than just those relating to attendance, transcripts or grades, provided that they are authentic...

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VASigned into law 02/2009Postsec.
Community College
Virginia College Savings Plan
H.B. 2549
Provides for the exclusion of certain financial records of the Virginia College Savings Plan from the Freedom of Information Act, the authorization for closed meetings of the Board of the Virginia College Savings Plan in certain circumstances, the expansion of...

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+ 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