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
CAVetoed 10/2009P-12School Counseling
S.B. 272
Partially from Legislative Counsel's Digest:
States legislative intent relating to the role of school counselors and counseling programs. Authorizes the academic counseling component of educational counseling to include an individualized review of pupil's ac...

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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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CASigned into law 08/2009P-12Career Resource Network
S.B. 123
Relates to the existing Career Resource Network, the primary duty of which is to provide career development information and resources to middle and high school counselors, adminstrators and educators to ensure that schools and high schools have the necessary i...

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OHSigned into law 07/2009P-12Governor's Closing the Achievement Gap Initiative
H.B. 1 - Section 3306.31 and 265.70.80
Specifies that the following provisions apply to any district with a three-year average graduation rate at or below 80%. Requires each such district's local board to implement actions prescribed by the governor's closing the achievement gap initiative in each ...

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NYAdopted 06/2009P-12Supplementary Bilingual Education Extension
Title 8 NYCRR 80-2.9, 80-4.3, 80-5.18
Creates a three-year, non-renewable supplementary bilingual education extension to authorize a pupil personnel service professional currently certified in a pupil personnel service title (i.e., school counselor, social worker, and school psychologist) to work ...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12Excused Absence to Visit Colleges
H.B. 2542
Allows 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...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009Postsec.Financial Aid Guidance for Veterans
H.B. 3951
Requires public institutions of higher education to ensure that one or more employees is trained in understanding state and federal student financial assistance programs for military veterans and their families, and in assisting veterans and family members in ...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12School Counselors
H.B. 3646 - Section 39
Rewrites 33.002 regarding certified school counselors. Directs the commissioner to distribute funds for school counselor and counseling programs to districts that apply for such funds. Requires the commissioner to give preference to districts that received pro...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009Postsec.Exception to Automatic Admission of Students in Top 10% of High School Class
S.B. 175 - Section 1, subsections (a)-(f), (j)-(k)
Permits the University of Texas at Austin to make an exception to the statute requiring all general academic teaching institutions to admit all students in the top 10% of their graduating classes, beginning with admissions for the 2011-12 school year, when suc...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12
Postsec.
Higher Education Assistance Plan
S.B. 175 - Section 6
Directs the higher education coordinating board to develop a plan under which each public high school that is, as determined by the board, substantially below the state average in the number of
graduates who attend public or private or independent institutions...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12
Postsec.
Counseling about Automatic Admissions Policy
S.B. 175 - Section 3 and 4
Requires districts to notify every high school student, at the time the student first registers for one or more classes required for high school graduation, about the provisions of Section 51.803, which provides for automatic admission to a general academic te...

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TXSigned into law 06/2009P-12
Postsec.
Outreach to Top 10% Seniors
S.B. 175 - Section 1, subsections (g), ((l)
Directs the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to institute a program to improve the outreach efforts of general academic teaching institutions in providing counseling and information to Texas high school seniors likely to be eligible for automatic admi...

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GAVetoed 05/2009P-12College- and Work-Ready Programs of Study
S.B. 178 Section 10, Part 1
Enacts the "Building Resourceful Individuals to Develop Georgia's Economy Act". Directs the department of education to develop focused programs of study in high demand, high skill and high wage academic and career fields, which may include aerospace, health ca...

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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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NDSigned into law 05/2009P-12Counselor Positions
H.B. 1400 - Counselor Positions Section
Beginning with 2010-11 school year, requires each district to have one full-time equivalency counselor for every 300 students. Up to one third of this requirement can be met by career advisors (defined as holding a certificate in career development facilitatio...

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OHAdopted 05/2009P-12Academic and Career Planning
OAC 3301-68-01
Amends rules related to K-12 career development programs. Adds that middle school career exploration activities must enable students to develop a
personalized learning plan using either the Ohio career information system, a career planning system provider or a...

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ARSigned into law 04/2009P-12College and Career Readiness Planning Program Act
H.B. 1808
Creates the College and Career Readiness Planning Program Act. Defines "college and career readiness". Beginning with the 2010-11 school year, directs public schools to administer the EXPLORE to 8th graders, and either the PLAN or PSAT to 10th graders. Permits...

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IASigned into law 04/2009P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Articulation from High School to College and from Community College to Four-Year
H.B. 815
Adds several new subsections of law. Requires development and implementation of a plan to provide, at least twice annually to all principals and guidance counselors employed by school districts and accredited nonpublic schools, notice describing how students c...

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UTAdopted 03/2009P-12Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance Program
R277-462
Amends definition of Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance Program ("Program") to add reference to informing and involving parents. Adds definition of counselor-to-student ratio.

Defines Student Education Occupation Plan (SEOP) as a developmentally organized ...

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SDSigned into law 02/2009P-12Guidance counselor
H.B. 1186
Reimburses and rewards public school counselors who earn the credential of National Certified School Counselor.
http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2009/Bill.aspx?File=HB1186ENR.htm...

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OHSigned into law 01/2009P-12
Postsec.
Free Career Information
H.B. 525
Authorizes the board of regents to enter into an agreement with private entities to provide free career information for students via the board of regents Web site. http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=127_HB_525...

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+ 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
+ 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