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
+ 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
PASigned into law 11/2010P-12Not a traditional voucher, but does provide tuition for students to attend school in another district under a tuition arrangement. From the fiscal note: Authorizes tuition for students in small district that are currently under fiscal district to designated districts that accept those students. Receiving school districts will be paid a calculated tuition rate and an additional stipend for two years. The sending district will continue to count those students as part of its average daily membership.
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=2009&sessInd=0&billBody=S&billTyp=B&billNbr=0441&pn=2281
Title: S.B. 441 - Amending Section 1607
Source: http://www.legis.state.pa.us

NYVetoed 09/2010P-12Creates the school district finance security task force to develop guidelines for school districts to protect sensitive banking and other information related to school district funds, from theft and other adverse consequences related to financial transactions, and to make recommendations for legislation. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=S07323&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Memo=Y&Text=Y
Title: S.B. 7323
Source: assembly.state.ny.us

NYSigned into law 08/2010P-12Authorizes the commissioner of education to receive all information required to be reported by statute or regulation through electronic means. Provides that it is the duty of the commissioner of education to review all reports and plans that districts and BOCES must submit and, by November 2010, report to the board of regents, governor and specified legislative leaders recommendations to eliminate unnecessary or duplicative reporting requirements, and where possible, recommendations to consolidate reports, plans and other information required to be submitted to the commissioner.
http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=%0D%0A&bn=A11566&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y
Title: A.B. 11566 - Section 1
Source: assembly.state.ny.us

NYSigned into law 08/2010P-12Requires that boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES) include special education and career education program plans in their long range program plans. Eliminates language requiring BOCES to create separate plans for special education and career education. Repeals provision requiring BOCES report cards to include information on BOCES services regarding pupil performance and per pupil expenditure required to be included in the annual report by the regents to the governor and the legislature pursuant to section 215a of the education code. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=%0D%0A&bn=A11566&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y
Title: A.B. 11566 - Section 6 and 7
Source: assembly.state.ny.us

CASigned into law 07/2010P-12Encourages school districts to engage in recycling programs and to promote awareness of available state resources that schools may utilize to establish and maintain recycling programs. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_0101-0150/acr_128_bill_20100706_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.C.R. 128
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

DCAdopted 07/2010P-12Establishes an environmental programs office in the Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization that would establish comprehensive recycling, energy reduction, integrated pest management and lead testing programs. Requires DC public schools to use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies. Directs the District of Columbia Public Schools to submit to the mayor, the council, and the Healthy Schools and
Youth Commission, on or before December 31, 2010, a plan to use sustainable products in serving meals to students. On or before December 31, 2010, directs the Mayor to submit to the council a comprehensive report describing the implementation of recycling, composting, energy-reduction, pest management, air quality and environmentally friendly cleaning supplies programs in public schools. Directs the district department of the environment to create an environmental literacy plan.

Establishes a school gardens program in the office of the state superintendent of education. On or before June 30, 2011, requires the school gardens program to issue a report to the mayor, the council, and the Healthy Schools and Youth Commission about the state of school gardens in the District of Columbia, plans for expanding them, and recommendations for improving the program. Directs the University of the District of Columbia to assist the school gardens program by providing technical expertise, curricula and soil testing for school gardens. Permits the sale and consumption of food grown in school gardens when safe. Provides that one of the purposes of the newly-created Healthy Schools Fund is to make competitive grants available to support school gardens.

Amends the Green Building Act of 2006 to encourage school construction to achieve LEED Gold certification if sufficient funding for the construction or renovation is provided.
Pages 4 and 11-13 of 19: http://www.dccouncil.us/images/00001/20100510112429.pdf
Title: LB 18-564 - School Environments and School Gardens
Source: www.dccouncil.us

ILSigned into law 06/2010P-12Authorizes any two or more school districts to form an agency, by establishment of an intergovernmental agreement, to acquire and construct facilities designed to convert wind or solar power to energy. Identifies elements that must be addressed in the intergovernmental agreement. Establishes powers and duties of an agency, including (1) purchasing or selling, or investigating the desirability of and necessity for additional means of providing electrical energy from wind sources of any kind and (2) issuing bonds to provide sufficient funds to cover the costs of such projects. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/96/HB/PDF/09600HB6419lv.pdf
Title: H.B. 6419
Source: www.ilga.gov

NHSigned into law 05/2010P-12Authorizes school district treasurers to appoint a deputy treasurer subject to approval by the school board.
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB1157.html
Title: H.B. 1157
Source: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us

WISigned into law 05/2010P-12Under the Act (Act No. 250), a school district resident may object to the use of a race-based nickname, logo, mascot, or team name by a school board of that school district by filing a complaint with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The state superintendent must notify the school board of the receipt of the complaint and of the State Superintendent's determination and schedule a contested case hearing within 45 days after the complaint is filed. Provides for exceptions.
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/SB-25.pdf
Title: S.B. 25
Source: http://www.legis.state.wi.us

NHSigned into law 04/2010P-12This bill makes various changes to the section on organization of, reorganization of, and withdrawal from a school administrative unit.
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB0615.html
Title: H.B. 615
Source: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/

OKSigned into law 04/2010P-12Relates to a study by the State Board of Education concerning ways to eliminate or reduce reports, data, and other information required of school districts and district personnel; provides for the participation of other educational organizations in the study; extends the date by which a report shall be issued; authorizes the Board to survey a sample of classroom teachers, to review certain school district efforts, and to standardize compliance requirements of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Act.
http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/2009-10bills/HB/HB1479_ENR.RTF
Title: H.B. 1479
Source: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us

IASigned into law 03/2010P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Requires public schools, community colleges, institutions under the control of the State Board of Regents, and state agencies to comply with an environmentally preferable cleaning and maintenance policy.
http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/linc/HF823_Enrolled.pdf
Title: H.B. 823
Source: http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us

KYSigned into law 03/2010P-12Establishes a deadline of January 1, 2011 for cities and school boards to submit to the county clerk a list of properties and boundaries and changes to boundaries, to allow the county clerk to maintain a roster of voters who are eligible to vote in school board elections. Permits electronic transmission of information. Prohibits county clerks from charging a fee to cities or school boards for transmittal of such information. Permits county clerks to request more information if necessary in order to maintain the voting roster. http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/10RS/SB35/bill.doc
Title: S.B. 35
Source: www.lrc.ky.gov

NYVetoed 03/2010P-12Relates to teachers' rights; adds other specified personnel to teachers and teaching assistants when a board of cooperative educational services takes over a program previously offered by a district or districts or by a county vocational education and extension board. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=%0D%0A&bn=S06154&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Memo=Y&Text=Y
Title: S.B. 6154
Source: assembly.state.ny.us

ORSigned into law 03/2010P-12Provides school district resident qualification for certain exchange students; provides for adjustments to distributions to school districts for such exchange students; adds prekindergarten providers to the entities that may receive assistance under a health literacy program pilot project; establishes a funds diversion agreement between the State Board of Education and districts to divert moneys from the State School Fund to a special account for school construction bond debt service. Chapter 21
http://www.leg.state.or.us/10ss1/measpdf/sb0900.dir/sb0988.en.pdf
Title: S.B. 988A
Source: http://www.leg.state.or.us/

DESigned into law 02/2010P-12Amends the notice requirements for school districts conducting elections; provides a deadline for a district to return voter affidavits if given to it and makes voting twice in a school election a crime; clarifies the content of the notice to be posted by school districts conducting referenda to raise local taxes and/or issue local bonds; authorizes the Department of Elections to cancel an election to raise local taxes and/or issue bonds if the notice requirements are not met.
http://legis.delaware.gov/LIS/lis145.nsf/vwLegislation/HB+244/$file/legis.html?open
Title: H.B. 244
Source: http://legis.delaware.gov

NESigned into law 02/2010P-12Excerpts from the Fiscal Note: LB 711 changes provisions for the withdrawal of districts from a unified school system or the dissolution of a unified school system. A unified school system has two or more Class II or III school districts participating in the system for a minimum of three years. There are currently three unified school systems in the state. The bill authorizes additional school districts to form unified systems in the future. It also allows school districts currently participating in unified systems to withdraw from such systems and not be required to merge with another district. The financial implications of the bill cannot be determined because it is unknown which districts may seek to dissolve or withdraw from existing unified systems; how interlocal agreements relating to the rights and liabilities of districts upon
withdrawal or dissolution of a system will differ from declaratory judgments; and, which districts may form unified systems in the future.
The bill also changes the certification date for state aid pursuant to the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act
(TEEOSA) for 2010-11, from on or before March 1, 2010 to on or before March 10, 2010.
http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=9631
Title: L.B. 711
Source: http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov

VASigned into law 02/2010P-12Relates to local school divisions; reduces certain reporting requirements of local schools.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?101+ful+HB208ER+pdf
Title: H.B. 208
Source: http://leg1.state.va.us

ILSigned into law 01/2010P-12Requires the department of human services to operate a comprehensive professional development system called the Gateways to Opportunity program. Directs the department of human services to award Gateways to Opportunity credentials to early care and education, school-age, and youth development practitioners, based on a variety of professional achievements in field experience, knowledge and skills, educational attainment and training accomplishments. Specifies the Gateways to Opportunity program must identify professional knowledge guidelines that define what all practitioners working with children and youth need to know and be able to do to support children's and youth's development, school readiness and school success

Provides that a child who has attended a private preschool and attended a kindergarten class at that school taught by an appropriately certified teacher, who will turn 6 on or before December 31, may attend 1st grade in a public school at the beginning of that school year, upon an assessment of the child's readiness. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/96/HB/PDF/09600HB0806lv.pdf
Title: H.B. 806
Source: www.ilga.gov

MASigned into law 01/2010P-12Authorizes two or more school committees of cities, towns and regional school districts and boards of trustees of charter schools to enter into written agreements to conduct education programs and services to complement and strengthen the school programs of member school committees and charter schools and increase educational opportunities for children. The school committees and boards of trustees of charter schools shall collaborate to offer the programs and services; provided, however, the association of school committees and board of trustees of charter schools which is formed to deliver the programs and services shall be known as an education collaborative.
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/186/st02/st02247.htm
Title: S.B. 2247; (NEW BILL)
Source: http://www.mass.gov

+ 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