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
+ 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
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

RISigned into law 06/2010P-12
Postsec.
Moves from February 2010 to February 2011 date by which the board of governors for higher education must present to the general assembly an initial report, recommendations and timeline on the "Bachelors Degree in Three" program. Delays start of pilot "Bachelors Degree in Three" program to fall 2011.

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/law10075.htm
Title: H.B. 7342, S.B. 2124
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us

TNSigned into law 05/2010Postsec.A resolution to require the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) and the University of Tennessee (UT) to accommodate non-traditional students seeking to complete degrees by accepting completed coursework and credits to the extent authorized by the institution's academic standards.
Link to fiscal note: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Fiscal/HJR0959.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 959
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov

VTSigned into law 05/2010P-12
Postsec.
Creates a prekindergarten–16 council (the "council") to help coordinate and better align the efforts of the prekindergarten–12 educational system with the higher education community. Establishes goals and sets membership of the Council. Together with the secretary of administration or the secretary's designee, a higher education subcommittee of the council is to perform any statutory or other duties required of it, including duties in connection with the higher education endowment trust fund. Sets membership of the subcommittee (higher education, business/industry and legislative). Legislative and higher education staff are directed to provide support to the council as appropriate to accomplish its tasks. Primary administrative support is to be provided by the legislative council. Repeals the commission on higher education funding. All members of the Council are to be selected byAugust 1, 2010, and the the commissioner of education is to convene the first meeting of the prekindergarten–16 council before September 1, 2010.
The strategies developed by the prekindergarten–16 council are to include the goal of ensuring that at least 60% of the adult population will have earned an associate's or higher-level degree by 2020.
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2010/Acts/ACT133.pdf
Title: H.B. 709
Source: http://www.leg.state.vt.us

VAIssued 03/2010Postsec.Establishes the Governor's Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment. Directs the commission to consider the current state of public and private higher education in the state, and best practices in other states and countries. Directs the commission to make findings and recommendations for addressing the following priorities:
(1) Preserving and enhancing the instructional excellence of Virginia's leading universities and of the higher education system as a whole
(2) Significantly increasing the percentage of college-age Virginians who enroll in colleges and complete degrees
(3) Attracting and preparing young people for the STEM areas and other disciplines (e.g., healthcare and advanced manufacturing) where skill shortages now exist and/or unmet demand is anticipated
(4) Forging new public-private partnerships and regional strategies for business recruitment, workforce preparation, and university-based research
(5) Making the state a national leader in providing higher education opportunities to military personnel and veterans
(6) Crafting a sustainable higher education funding model that will move Virginia toward higher levels of educational attainment and economic competitiveness over the next 15 years
(7) Developing innovative ways to deliver quality instruction, cost-saving reform strategies, and affordable new pathways to degree attainment for Virginians, regardless of income or background
(8) Evaluating strategies to reduce costs through additional college placement testing and accelerated degree completion
(9) Creating effective workforce development programs through expanded use of the community college system in coordination with the commission on economic development and job creation.

Calls for the creation of the following committees, and identifies tasks for each committee: (1) Increased Degree Attainment, Financial Aid and Workforce Training; (2) Implement Innovation and Cost Containment; and (3) Regional Strategies/Partnerships for Research and Economic Development.

Directs the committee to submit its interim findings and recommendations on matters potentially impacting the executive budget by September 30, 2010. Directs the commission to an interim report of its activities, findings and recommendations by November 30, 2010. Provides the interim report must focus primarily on increasing degree attainment, concentrating increased educational attainment in STEM areas and other high-demand and high-income fields, a model for higher education funding, and partnerships through which public and private colleges and community colleges participate actively in economic development and workforce training. Directs the commission to continue to meet and make recommendations on additional stated objectives throughout 2011.

Provides this executive order will become effective upon signing and remain in full force and effect until March 26, 2011 unless amended or rescinded by further executive order.
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Issues/ExecutiveOrders/pdf/EO_9.pdf
Title: E.O. 9
Source: www.governor.virginia.gov

+ 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