ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2010 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 2010. 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
+ 21st Century Skills
+ Accountability
+ Accountability--Accreditation
+ Accountability--Measures/Indicators
+ Accountability--Reporting Results
+ Accountability--Rewards
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--Takeovers
+ Accountability--School Improvement
+ Adult Basic Education
+ Assessment
+ Assessment--Accommodations
+ Assessment--College Entrance Exams
+ Assessment--Computer Based
+ Assessment--Formative/Interim
+ 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
+ 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--Choice/Open Enrollment
+ Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment--Research
+ Choice of Schools--Magnet or Specialized Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Tax Credits
+ Choice of Schools--Vouchers
+ Civic Education
+ Civic Education--Character Education
+ Civic Education--Civic Knowledge and Literacy
+ Civic Education--Pledge of Allegiance
+ Class Size
+ Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Alignment
+ Curriculum--Arts Education
+ Curriculum--Censorship
+ Curriculum--Drivers Education
+ Curriculum--Excusal
+ Curriculum--Family Living Education
+ Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed.
+ Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language
+ Curriculum--Geography Education
+ Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education
+ Curriculum--Language Arts
+ Curriculum--Language Arts--Writing/Spelling
+ Curriculum--Mathematics
+ Curriculum--Physical Education
+ Curriculum--Science
+ Curriculum--Sex Education
+ Curriculum--Social Studies/History
+ Demographics--Enrollments
+ Economic/Workforce Development
+ Equity
+ Federal
+ Finance
+ Finance--Bonds
+ Finance--District
+ Finance--Facilities
+ Finance--Federal
+ Finance--Funding Formulas
+ Finance--Local Foundations/Funds
+ Finance--Lotteries
+ Finance--Private Giving
+ 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--Mandates
+ 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
+ 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--Grading Practices
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ 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--Induction Programs and Mentoring
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Preparation
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Preparation--Alternative
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Tenure
+ Middle School
+ Minority/Diversity Issues
+ Minority/Diversity Issues--American Indian / Alaska Native / Native Hawaiian
+ Minority/Diversity Issues--Hispanic
+ No Child Left Behind--Adequate Yearly Progress
+ No Child Left Behind--Assessment
+ No Child Left Behind--Consequences for Schools
+ No Child Left Behind--Finance
+ No Child Left Behind--Reauthorization Issues/Waivers
+ No Child Left Behind--Report Cards
+ No Child Left Behind--School Support
+ No Child Left Behind--Special Populations
+ 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 Family Involvement
+ P-3 Finance
+ P-3 Governance
+ P-3 Grades 1-3
+ P-3 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 Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Undocumented Immigrants
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Compensation
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Tenure
+ Postsecondary Finance
+ Postsecondary Finance--Efficiency/Performance-Based Funding
+ Postsecondary Finance--Facilities
+ Postsecondary Finance--Revenue and Expenditures
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures--Administrative/Leadership Issues
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures--State Executives/State Agencies
+ Postsecondary Institutions
- Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges
CASigned into law 09/2010Community College
Postsec.
Directs the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges to adopt a plan for promoting and improving student success within the California Community Colleges. Directs the board of governors to establish a taskforce to examine best practices in the community colleges and effective models nationwide for achieving student success. Directs the taskforce to develop and present recommendations to the board of governors for incorporation into the plan. Requires that these recommendations focus on, but not be limited to, the following considerations:

(1) Multiple measures and effective programs for assessing student success and completion, including attaining college-level skills, accumulating college-level course credits, earning a degree or certificate, or transferring to a four-year college or university
(2) Statutory and regulatory barriers to student success and completion
(3) Best practices for promoting student success and completion, including, but not limited to, the acquisition of basic skills
(4) Alternative funding options for providing necessary services to students and promoting best practices for student success and completion
(5) Alternative funding options instituted in other states for improving student success and completion
(6) The effective use of technology by community colleges and districts to promote, evaluate and improve student success and completion

Directs the taskforce, prior to presenting its recommendations to the board of governors, to facilitate discussions with key community college stakeholders and other appropriate parties to provide input on the findings and recommendations. Directs the board of governors, prior to implementing the plan, to report the contents of the plan and the taskforce's recommendations to the senate committee
on education and the assembly committee on higher education at a joint hearing by March 1, 2012. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/sen/sb_1101-1150/sb_1143_bill_20100928_chaptered.pdf
Title: S.B. 1143
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

CASigned into law 09/2010P-12
Community College
Postsec.
From bill analysis: Authorizes the California Community Colleges (CCC) to consolidate annual reports on concurrent enrollment and special admits into a single report and changes the due date from November 1 to March 1. Changes the due date from May 1 to July 1 for an annual report on the amount of full-time equivalent students claimed by each CCC district for career development and college preparation courses.
Bill text: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_1701-1750/ab_1713_bill_20100924_chaptered.pdf
Bill analysis: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_1701-1750/ab_1713_cfa_20100806_123345_asm_floor.html
Title: A.B. 1713
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

CAVetoed 09/2010Community College
Postsec.
Requires the board of governors of the California Community Colleges to establish a pilot project that seeks to create a centrally delivered system of student assessment to be used as one of multiple measures for community college placement and advisement. Provides that the pilot must include creation of:
(1) A single assessment instrument in English, math and English as a second language ("the California Community Colleges Common Assessment")
(2) A secure, centrally housed data warehouse to collect (a) all available assessment scores generated by assessed students at all participating community colleges, and (b) all available K–12 assessment data and transcript information for students at all participating community colleges. Requires that use of this data be limited to placing and advising community college students to enhance their success with and completion of their postsecondary education objectives.
(3) A Web portal accessible to community college personnel and students and that provides: (a) An assessment profile, generated for each student upon request, that includes all assessment information in the data warehouse, for purposes of counseling, matriculation and course placement; (b) A pretest application that emulates the structure of the centrally delivered student assessment that students can practice on and familiarize themselves with before taking future assessments; (c) An advisement tool that provides students with information on historical success rates of remedial courses for students at various levels of academic remediation.

Requires the board to convene an advisory committee for the pilot project and report on specified progress by February 28, 2011. Requires that the report include estimated costs for full implementation of the centralized delivery and warehousing of assessment instruments, as well as the technical feasibility of expanding the pilot project, legislative changes needed, and the best model for providing ongoing funding for the pilot project. Requires the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, in developing the California Community Colleges Common Assessment, to use the existing test item banks created by the California State University and the K-12 system as part of the state's college readiness assessment. Requires the office of the chancellor of the California Community Colleges to work with the California State
University to align and leverage the state's college readiness assessment to facilitate the implementation of the California Community Colleges Common Assessment.
Bill text: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_2651-2700/ab_2682_bill_20100908_enrolled.pdf
Governor's veto message: http://dl5.activatedirect.com/fs/distribution:letterFile/yvcee9xanplikz_files/z5yw8s8x3up0x3?&_c=d|yvcee9xanplikz|z5yxksmilkmaj8&_ce=1289861485.234b57d44a3ea07ba24a86f8c3de5d17
Title: A.B. 2682
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

MISigned into law 09/2010Postsec.
Community College
Requires community colleges receiving funds under this appropriations bill to cooperate with the state to comply with the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 111-5, requiring the establishment of a statewide P-20 longitudinal data system. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-2010/publicact/htm/2010-PA-0165.htm
Title: S.B. 1151 - Sec. 405
Source: http://www.legislature.mi.gov

FLSigned into law 07/2010P-12
Postsec.
Directs the Division of Statutory Revision of the Office of Legislative Services to substitute the term "Florida College System institution" for the terms "Florida college," "community college," and "junior college" where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code, to conform the code to 2008 legislation that created the Florida college system, and 2009 legislation that renamed the "Division of Community Colleges" as the "Division of Florida Colleges" and defined the term "Florida college."http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h7037er.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=7037&Session=2010
Title: HB 7037 - Sec 21
Source: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov

RISigned into law 06/2010Community College
Postsec.
Extends role of the Community College of Rhode Island as a workforce development center. Redefines purpose of the community college to be "to offer all students the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for intellectual, professional and personal growth by providing an array of academic, career and lifelong learning programs, while contributing to Rhode Island's economic development and the needs of the region's workforce." http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/law10099.htm
Title: H.B. 8181, S.B.2823
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us

AZSigned into law 05/2010P-12
Community College
Postsec.
Relates to a comprehensive database of receipts and expenditures of state monies; relates to an official internet website that is electronically searchable by the public at no cost; provides for cross-linked expenditures associated with contracts or subcontracts to the actual language of the contract or subcontract; includes local governments, community college districts and school districts. Chapter 288
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/2r/bills/hb2282c.pdf
Title: H.B. 2282
Source: http://www.azleg.gov

CTSigned into law 05/2010Postsec.
Community College
Requires higher education institutions in Connecticut to publicize green technology initiatives in higher education and to collaborate in furthering these initiatives; requires the department of higher education (DHE), in consultation with the department of education, to develop annually and publish on its website (1) a list of every green jobs course and academic program in a public higher education institution or a regional vocational-technical school in the state and (2) an inventory of green jobs-related equipment in these schools; requires the community-technical colleges board of trustees (CTC) to have uniformly named green jobs academic programs in the CTC; requires institutions to share equipment and to hold meetings to explore possible ways to collaborate on green initiatives, and it requires public higher education institutions to support efforts to develop career ladders in the green technology industry. http://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/ACT/Pa/pdf/2010PA-00156-R00HB-05164-PA.pdf
Title: H.B. 5164
Source: http://www.cga.ct.gov

KSSigned into law 05/2010Community College
Postsec.
Amends Private and Out-of-State Postsecondary Educational Institutions Act. Requires each institution to notify the State Board of Regents about the existence of a branch campus in the state; includes new definitions of regulated institutions; relates to the powers and duties of the governing bodies thereof; changes the application and renewal process for branch campuses; clarifies the types of degrees requiring a certificate of approval; provides for greater penalties for violations of the Act; establishes a broad range of fees for degree and non-degree granting institutions. Requires any faculty member employed by a state educational institution who received an annual salary of $150,000 or more to file a statement of substantial interests with the Kansas Governmental Ethics Comittee..
http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2010/131.pdf
Title: S.B. 131
Source: http://www.kslegislature.org

MDSigned into law 05/2010Postsec.
Community College
Requires that community college capital projects that receive state funds comply with the state's High Performance Building Act; Allows community colleges to apply for waivers from this requirement under existing waiver procedures; Takes effect July 1, 2010, and applies only to capital projects that have not initiated a request for proposals (RFP) for the selection of an architectural and engineering consultant on or before July 1, 2011. http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/bills/hb/hb1044t.pdf
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/chapters_noln/Ch_527_sb0234T.pdf
Title: H.B. 1044/S.B. 234
Source: http://mlis.state.md.us

AZSigned into law 04/2010Community College
Postsec.
Changes various community college reporting requirements relating to dual enrollment programs. Changes the dual enrollment reporting requirements from being submitted annually to only in odd-numbered calendar years. Removes the following community college annual reporting requirements related to dual enrollments: (a) summary data on the performance of students enrolled in dual enrollment courses, including completion rates and grade distribution; and (b) itemized actual program costs for curriculum development and approval, facilities and equipment, counseling and tutoring, textbooks, and teacher training and observation. Restores the requirements that community college districts report total enrollments listed by location, high school grade level and course number and summary data by district and individual community colleges on the number of scholarships or grants awarded to students. Extends the submission deadline for the community college districts' annual report. Changes the dual enrollment segment of the report to be submitted biennially. Chapter 43
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/2r/bills/hb2040s.pdf
Title: H.B. 2040
Source: http://www.azleg.gov

COSigned into law 04/2010Community College
Postsec.
Authorizes Colorado mountain college to offer baccalaureate degrees that address the needs of the communities within its service area.
http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2010a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/45C7C63C518F2BAF872576A80026AF4E?open&file=101_enr.pdf
Title: S.B. 101
Source: http://www.leg.state.co.

COSigned into law 04/2010Community College
Postsec.
Authorizes community colleges and junior colleges to offer 2-year degree programs with academic designation; provides a community college must submit the degree program designation for a review and approval by the state board for community colleges and occupational education and a junior college must submit the degree program designation for review and approval by its board of trustees.
http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2010a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/242CCCDAF99E1FF1872576A80026B7CD?open&file=088_enr.pdf
Title: S.B. 88
Source: http://www.leg.state.co.us

NESigned into law 04/2010Community College
Postsec.
Terminates the current funding formula and dissolves the Nebraska Community College Association on June 30, 2011. The six community college presidents will work together to develop a new funding formula and reorganize a community college association.
http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=9739
Title: L.B. 1072
Source: http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov

ALSigned into law 03/2010Community College
Postsec.
Creates the Two Year College System Joint Interim Legislative Committee. Directs the committee to study all facets of the two-year college system and to adopt the recommendations of the Final Report of the House of Representatives Interim Legislative Study Committee to Assess the Two-year College System, submitted to the Alabama State Legislature on January 21, 2010. Directs the committee to report its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the legislature by the 5th day of the 2011 Regular Session, at which time the committee will be dissolved.
Title: H.J.R. 97
Source:

MESigned into law 03/2010Postsec.
Community College
Amends the Job Creation Through Educational Opportunity Program; amends the definition of accredited Maine junior college, college or university to include that the institution must have regional accreditation; relates to financial aid, educational cost of living adjustments, publishing average in-state tuition and mandatory fees and student eligibility for the educational opportunity tax credit; enacts an income modification to taxable income with respect to loan payment amounts paid by employers. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/PUBLIC553.asp
Title: H.B. 899
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org

VASigned into law 03/2010Postsec.
Community College
Requires the development of a uniform certificate of general studies program by the State Council of Higher Education, in consultation with the Community College System, to be offered at each community college.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?101+ful+HB1066ER+pdf
Title: H.B. 1066
Source: http://leg1.state.va.us

+ 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 Students--Adults
+ Postsecondary Students--Disabled
+ Postsecondary Students--Foster Youth
+ Postsecondary Students--Graduate/Professional
+ Postsecondary Students--International
+ Postsecondary Students--Military
+ Postsecondary Students--Minority
+ Postsecondary Success
+ Postsecondary Success--Completion
+ Postsecondary Success--Completion--Completion Rates (Statistics)
+ Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation
+ Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation
+ Private Schools
+ Privatization
+ Promotion/Retention
+ Public Involvement
+ Reading/Literacy
+ Religion
+ 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
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Year Round
+ School Climate/Culture
+ 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--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--Federal Law/Regulations
+ 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--Migrant Education
+ Special Populations--Military
+ Standards
+ Standards--Common Core State Standards
+ State Longitudinal Data Systems
+ State Policymaking
+ State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions
+ STEM
+ Student Achievement
+ Student Achievement--Closing the Achievement Gap
+ Student Supports
+ Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance
+ Student Supports--Remediation
+ Student Surveys
+ Students
+ Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities
+ Students--Employment
+ Students--K-12 Exchange Students
+ 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--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 Rights
+ Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract
+ Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining
+ Teaching Quality--Working Conditions
+ Technology
+ Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware
+ Technology--Equitable Access
+ Technology--Funding Issues
+ Technology--Research/Evaluation
+ Textbooks and Open Source
+ Whole-School Reform Models