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
- Teaching Quality
DESigned into law 07/2009P-12License Denial and Revocation Standards
S.B. 149
Creates license denial and revocation standards for nonpublic school teachers, specialists and administrators, and for public education employees, that are consistent, to the extent possible, with the license denial and revocation standards applicable to publi...

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OHSigned into law 07/2009P-12Quality of Preparation Programs for Teachers and Other School Personnel
H.B. 1 - Section 3301.12, 3301.42, 3333.048 and 3333.048
Partly from DOE summary of H.B. 1: Directs the superintendent of public instruction, jointly with the chancellor of the board of regents, to establish metrics and courses of study for postsecondary institutions that prepare educators and other school personnel...

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COSigned into law 05/2009P-12Teacher Identifier Program
H.B. 1065
Extends the repeal date for the quality teachers commission and redefines the time frames within which the commission must accomplish certain tasks. Creates the educator identifier pilot program (program) in the department of education. Outlines the scope and ...

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MNSigned into law 05/2009P-12Differential Pay for Deployed National Guard Members Who are Teachers
S.B. 1794
Relates to veterans; clarifies the circumstances under which pay differential applies for deployed National Guard and reserve members who are teachers.
https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=S1794.2.html&session=ls86...

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MNSigned into law 05/2009P-12Mentoring and Peer Coaching
H.F. 2
Allows school districts to have trained observers serve as mentors or coaches and to have probationary teachers participate in professional learning communities as part of the district's peer review process for probationary teachers. Peer coaching for continui...

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MNSigned into law 05/2009P-12Assessment of Reading Instruction
H.F. 2
Includes as part of the Board of Teaching's licensure exams an assessment of reading instruction for teacher licensure prekindergarten and elementary school candidates.
https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H0002.5.html&session=ls86...

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MNSigned into law 05/2009P-12Alternative Compensation Rural District Application Assistance
H.F. 2
Makes districts in the rural equity region eligible for assistance in developing Q-Comp applications with specific compensation program components.  Requires the commissioner to provide technical assistance to rural districts or groups of rural districts.
ht...

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MNSigned into law 05/2009P-12Expiration and Renewal of License
H.F. 2
Allows educators applying to renew their licenses to present to their local licensing committees evidence of work that demonstrates professional reflection and growth in best teaching practices. Requires applicants to include a reflective statement of professi...

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MNSigned into law 05/2009P-12Teacher Education Report
S.F. 2083
Requires the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and Minnesota Department of Education to report to the committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over teacher education on best practices in innovative teacher education programs and teacher education res...

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ARSigned into law 04/2009P-12Code of Ethics Proceedings
H.B. 1859
Provides for the confidentiality of certain documents and procedures relating to code of ethics proceedings of the professional licensure standards board relating to an ethics complaint against an administrator or teacher.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembl...

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ARSigned into law 04/2009P-12On-Leave Teachers Reponsible for Cost of Replacements
H.B. 2004
Eliminates the requirement that members of the National Guard or reserve who are teachers or administrators pay for the cost of a substitute employee when the member is on military leave.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act944.pdf...

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ARSigned into law 04/2009Postsec.
Community College
Teacher Opportunity Program
S.B. 852
Amends the Teacher Opportunity Program; provides scholarships to teachers returning to college to receive an additional certification.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1214.pdf...

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ARSigned into law 04/2009P-12Teacher Recruitment for High-Priority Districts
S.B. 980
Provides additional incentives for teacher recruitment and retention in high-priority school districts. Increases teacher signing bonuses; equalizes teacher salaries between high-priority school districts and higher paying surrounding school districts.
http://...

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ARSigned into law 04/2009Postsec.
Community College
Consolidation of Teacher Education Recruitment Programs
S.B. 853
Consolidates the Teacher Education Recruitment Programs by repealing the Minority Teachers Scholars Program, Minority Masters Fellows Program, and the State Teacher Assistance Resource Program: creates the State Teacher Education Program.
http://www.arkleg.sta...

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ARSigned into law 04/2009P-12Subpoena Power
H.B. 1372
Grants subpoena power to the state board of education and the professional licensure standards board.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1283.pdf...

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ARSigned into law 04/2009P-12Teacher Professional Development Credit
H.B. 1999
Revises provisions of existing law governing school district teacher professional development credit. Authorizes online professional development credit hours; provides procedures allowing a teacher to make up missed credit hours due to illness of the teacher o...

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ARSigned into law 04/2009P-12Smart Core Incentive Funding Program
S.B. 918
Creates the Smart Core Incentive Funding Program to provide a financial incentive to assist with a public high school's efforts to encourage students to complete the Smart Core curriculum and promote programs that contribute to student success, including tutor...

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ARSigned into law 04/2009P-12Bonuses for Nationall Board Certified Teachers
H.B. 1862
Provides bonuses for individuals who have worked for a minimum number of years with a national board certification as a classroom teacher, building-level principal, or assistant principal in a public school district, employed full time as a teacher in an accre...

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COSigned into law 04/2009P-12Teacher of the Year Program
H.B. 1240
Creates the Teacher of the Year Program in the Department of Education; requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules for the implementation of the program, including rules concerning the rewards, duties, and opportunities for the teacher named Teacher ...

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DESigned into law 04/2009Postsec.
Community College
Teach For America
H.B. 102
Enables the implementation of the Teach For America program and teacher residency programs on a state- wide basis by modifying the entry requirements for the Teach For America program and training requirements for Teach For America corps members.
http://legis....

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MDSigned into law 04/2009P-12Teacher Identification Numbers
H.B. 587
Authorizes the State Department of Education to assign a unique identification number to each teacher employed in the public schools in the state; requires that the identification number meet specified requirements; limits the use of the teacher identification...

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MSSigned into law 04/2009P-12Negotiating Teachers Salaries
S.B. 2050
Authorizes school districts to negotiate salary levels with teachers who are receiving payments from the retirement system of another state; directs school districts to make an annual report on the number of employees who also received Mississippi retirement p...

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OKSigned into law 04/2009P-12
H.B. 1598
Prohibits certain persons from certain involvement in due process hearings; creates the School Protection Act; provides short title; states purpose; defines terms; makes it unlawful to make a false criminal report against an education employee; provides punish...

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ARSigned into law 03/2009P-12Correcting Calculation Errors in Teacher Retirement
S.B. 155
Allows the teacher retirement system to correct calculation errors that cause manifest injustice to Arkansas teacher retirement system members.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/sB155.pdf...

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ARSigned into law 03/2009P-12Recouping Benefits
S.B. 227
Allows the teacher retirement system to recoup benefits, including interest, paid to a member who does not meet the eligibility requirements under the teacher deferred retirement option plan; allows for the collection of interest.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us...

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MSSigned into law 03/2009P-12Children First Act of 2009
S.B. 2628
Prohibits public school students in 7th-12th grades who fail to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 from participating in extracurricular activities. Authorizes and directs the state board to define failing schools and school districts under certain standards. Re...

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VASigned into law 03/2009P-12Teacher Planning Time
H.B. 2474
Requires school boards to ensure that all elementary school teachers are provided an average of 30 minutes a day of planning time.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?091+ful+HB2474ER...

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ARSigned into law 02/2009P-12Lifetime Teaching License
H.B. 1133
Amends eligibility and application requirements for the lifetime teaching license.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB1133.pdf...

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CARule Adoption 01/2009P-12Single-Subject Teaching Credential Authorization
Title 5 CCR Section 80004
Amends rules concerning single-subject teaching credential authorization. Allows for an additional option for employers to assign individuals to teach science....

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+ 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