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
+ 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
OHSigned into law 07/2009P-12**No funds allocated in the current budget for this center, according to the DOE's H.B. 1 summary document http://www.education.ohio.gov/GD/DocumentManagement/DocumentDownload.aspx?DocumentID=71635**

Authorizes the state superintendent to create the center for creativity and innovation in the department of education. Provides that, if created, the center must help schools in districts, educational service centers, community schools and STEM schools with any of the following:
(1) Designing and implementing strategies and systems that enable schools to become professional learning communities, including:
(a) Mentoring and coaching teachers and support staff
(b) Enabling school principals to focus on supporting instruction and engaging teachers and support staff as part of the instructional leadership team so that teachers and staff may share the responsibility for making and implementing school decisions
(c) Adopting new models for restructuring the learning day or year, such as including teacher planning and collaboration time as part of the school day
(d) Creating smaller schools or smaller units within larger schools to facilitate teacher collaboration to improve and advance the professional practice of teaching and to enhance instruction that yields enhanced student achievement.
(2) Using strategies in collaboration with the teach Ohio program to promote, recruit and enhance the teaching profession, including:
(a) Designing and implementing "grow your own" recruitment and retention strategies to support individuals in becoming licensed teachers, to retain highly qualified teachers, to assist experienced teachers in obtaining licensure in subject areas for which there is need, to assist teachers in earning senior professional educator and lead professional educator licenses, and to assist teachers to grow and develop in the profession
(b) Enhanced conditions for new teachers
(c) Incentives to attract qualified math, science or special education teachers
(d) Developing and implementing a partnership with teacher preparation programs at colleges and universities to help attract teachers qualified to teach in shortage areas
(e) Implementing a program to increase the cultural competency of both new and veteran teachers.
(3) Identifying state policies that impede the adoption of innovative practices and making recommendations to the superintendent of public instruction for the repeal, revision, or waiver of those provisions
(4) Identifying promising programs and practices based on high quality education research and developing models for their early adoption, including research and practices in arts education and creativity
(5) Other duties as assigned by the superintendent of public instruction.

If created, directs the center to promote collaboration between districts and community schools to enhance the academic programs of both and to broaden the application of successful and innovative academic practices developed by community schools. In doing so, directs the center to (1) Study and serve as a clearinghouse of best practices and innovative programming developed and utilized by community schools that could be adopted by school districts; and (2) Identify circumstances in which students could benefit from collaboration between the complementary programs of school districts and community schools.
Pages 1044-1045 of 3120: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText128/128_HB_1_EN_N.pdf
Title: H.B. 1 - Section 3301.82
Source: www.legislature.state.oh.us

OHSigned into law 07/2009P-12Section 3333.39: Directs the chancellor of the board of regents and the state superintendent to establish and administer the teach Ohio program to encourage residents to consider teaching as a career. Requires that the program include all of the following:
(1) A statewide program administered by a nonprofit corporation that has been in existence for at least 15 years with demonstrated results in encouraging economically disadvantaged high school students to enter the teaching profession
(2) The teaching fellows program
(3) The Ohio teacher residency program
(4) Alternative licensure procedures established under section 3319.26.
(5) Any other program as identified by the chancellor and superintendent.

Section 3333.391: Defines a "qualifying school" as a hard-to-staff school or a school with a performance rating of "academic watch" or "academic emergency" at the time the recipient is hired by the district. If the chancellor of the Ohio board of regents determines that sufficient funds are available from general revenue fund appropriations made to the board of regents or to the chancellor, permits the chancellor and the state superintendent to jointly develop a plan for the Ohio teaching fellows program to promote and encourage high school seniors to enter and remain in the teaching profession. Provides the chancellor is to administer the program, which will provide undergraduate scholarships for up to four years to students who commit to teaching in a qualifying school for at least four years after graduating from a teacher training program from a postsecondary institution in the state. Directs the chancellor to develop a competitive process for awarding teaching fellows scholarships; requires that the process give additional consideration to anyone who has participated in the teach Ohio program; anyone who plans to teach special needs students; or anyone who plans to teach in science, technology, engineering or math.

Section 3333.392: Establishes provisions for repayment of the scholarship amount or termination of the scholarship under certain conditions.
Pages 1454- of 3120: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText128/128_HB_1_EN_N.pdf
Title: H.B. 1 - Section 3333.39, 3333.391 and 3333.392
Source: www.legislature.state.oh.us

TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12Relates to certification of an educator in Texas who is certified in another state or country. Requires an educator certified in another state or country to pass the state teacher certification exam within a year of approval of the educator's credentials by the state board for educator certification. Requires the commissioner to provide guidance to districts employing an educator certified outside Texas on procedures to classify the educator as a highly qualified teacher. Requires state board to approve or deny within 30 days of receipt all applications from educators certified in another state to teach high-need subjects, including math, science, bilingual education and special education. Requires applications from educators in high-need subjects certified in other states to include specified content. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB04152F.pdf
Title: H.B. 4152
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us

TXVetoed 06/2009P-12Beginning in the 2012-13 school year, directs the higher education coordinating board to assist in repaying the eligible student loans of certain undergraduates who agree to teach math or science in districts determined by the state education agency to have teacher shortages in these subjects. Establishes the mathematics and science teacher investment fund to provide loan repayment assistance. Establishes limits on the number of individuals who may be provided loan assistance in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years, and in any school year. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00518F.pdf
Title: H.B. 518, Section 3
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us

GASigned into law 04/2009P-12Provides that effective July 2010, and until there is no longer a shortage of math and science teachers, a secondary school teacher licensed in math or science must be moved to the salary step on the state salary schedule that is applicable to six years of creditable service, unless he or she is already on or above such salary step. After such salary step, provides one additional year of creditable service each year for the next five years, after which time the teacher may continue to be attributed one additional year of creditable service on the salary schedule each year if he or she meets or exceeds student achievement criteria established by the Office of Student Achievement. Provides that upon expiration of five years, or any year thereafter that the teacher does not meet or exceed student achievement criteria, teachers must be moved to the salary step applicable to the actual number of years of creditable service the teacher has accumulated.

Provides an annual $1,000 stipend for each year a K-5 teacher with an endorsement in math or science for each year the endorsement is in effect, for up to five years. After the five years, such teacher may continue to receive such stipend if he or she meets or exceeds student achievement criteria established by the Office of Student Achievement. Establishes minimum criteria for math and science endorsements for kindergarten and elementary teachers. Requires the Professional Standards Commission to establish standards for the math and science endorsements. http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/pdf/hb280.pdf
Title: H.B. 280
Source: www.legis.state.ga.us

NJSigned into law 03/2009P-12Establishes a pilot program in Department of Education to address the state's shortage of mathematics and science teachers.
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/S3000/2707_I1.PDF
Title: S.B. 2707
Source: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us

+ 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