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--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
+ Counseling/Guidance
+ 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
+ Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ 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--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--Developmental/Remediation
+ Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation
+ Private Schools
+ Privatization
+ Promotion/Retention
+ Public Involvement
+ Reading/Literacy
+ Religion
+ 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
+ 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 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
CASigned into law 09/2010P-12Technology and Supplementary Instructional Materials
A.B. 2694
From bill analysis: Includes in the definition of "supplementary instructional materials" instructional materials that use current relevant technology that further engages interactive learning in the classroom and beyond. Requires a local board, when adopting ...

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CASigned into law 09/2010P-12Work-Based Learning Programs (and Textbooks)
A.B. 2211
States legislative findings regarding work-based learning. Authorizes school districts that maintain high schools to establish work-based learning programs, and to purchase liability insurance for pupils enrolled in
programs of study involving work-based learn...

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CAVetoed 09/2010P-12History-Social Science Framework and Textbooks
S.B. 1451
From bill summary: Requires the state board to inform the chairs of the assembly and senate education committees and the secretary for education of content that it interprets to be the result of certain changes made to the Texas Administrative Code. Repeals th...

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CASigned into law 08/2010P-12Technology-Based Materials as Part of Instructional Materials
A.B. 1742
Adds that a nonpublic, nonsectarian school that provides K-12 special education services must, in providing state-adopted, standards-based, core curriculum and instructional materials, also provide technology-based materials as defined in statute. http://www.l...

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NYVetoed 08/2010P-12Curriculum and Instructional Resources
S.B. 6776
Makes provisions that apply to the selection, purchase, loan of K-12 textbooks also applicable to curriculum and instructional resources. Defines "curriculum and instructional resources" as inquiry-centered curriculum and instructional materials, supplies, man...

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ILSigned into law 07/2010P-12Electronic Textbooks
S.B. 3547
Provides that among other purposes (i.e., purchasing textbooks and software), the School Safety and Educational Improvement Block Grant Program must provide funding for electronic textbooks and the technological equipment necessary to gain access to and use el...

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MISigned into law 07/2010P-12Model Policy on Basic Instructional Supplies
S.B. 1163 - 116(c)
Amends current law to require the state department of education to develop a model policy on basic instructional supplies; institutes a step-by-step process at the local level for teachers to file claims alleging insufficient materials; only in districts ident...

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LASigned into law 06/2010P-12Electronic Textbooks
S.B. 533
Requires the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to make every effort to ensure that electronic versions are available for every title it approves for placement on the state list of approved textbooks and instructional materials.
http://www.legis...

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RISigned into law 06/2010P-12Special Legislative Commission to Study the Purchase and Use of Textbooks in Public Schools
H.R. 8156, S.R. 2822
Establishes the Special Legislative Commission to Study the Purchase and Use of Textbooks in Public Schools. Directs the commission to make a comprehensive study of the use of textbooks in the public schools, and in particular the following:
     (1) The use ...

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GASigned into law 05/2010P-12Inclusion of Digital Content in Definition of "Textbook"
S.B. 319
Requires the definition of a K-12 "textbook" to include computer hardware, software and technical equipment necessary to support the use of nonprint or digital content. Provides that these provisions do not exempt computer hardware or related equipment acquire...

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TNSigned into law 04/2010P-12Textbooks May Be Taken Home
H.B. 3711
Authorizes students to take textbooks home that are issued to them. This authorization does not prohibit teachers from requiring that books be brought back to the classroom.
http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB3711...

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VASigned into law 04/2010P-12Purchase of Electronic Textbooks
H.B. 97
Requires contracts and purchase orders with publishers of textbooks approved by the Board of Education for use in grades 6 - 12 to allow for the purchase of printed textbooks, printed textbooks with electronic files or electronic textbooks separate and apart f...

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IASigned into law 03/2010P-12Textbooks Include Electronic Materials and Computing Devices
S.B. 2178
Expands the definition of "textbooks" to include books, electronic materials and laptop computers or other portable personal computing devices which are used for nonreligious instructional use only.
http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/linc/SF2178_Enrolled.pdf...

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UTSigned into law 03/2010P-12
Postsec.
Money-Saving Measures
H.B. 166
Section 1: Directs the state board, by December 31, 2010, to review mandates provided for in administrative rule, to determine whether some could be waived to remove funding pressures on public schools temporarily.

Sections 2-4: Eliminates the requirement to...

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WVSigned into law 03/2010P-12Instructional Resources
S.B. 631
Updates process for adopting textbooks and other instructional material; replaces the terms "textbooks", "instructional materials", and "learning technologies" with "instructional resources"; modifies the limit on adoption cycles; provides for a listing of ins...

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TXAdopted 02/2010P-12Adoption and Distribution of Instructional Materials
19 TAC 2.66.B.66.33, 66.102, 66.104 and 66.121
§ 66.33: Adds provision to specify that members of state textbook adoption review panels must include educators, parents, business and industry representatives, and employers. Repeals reference to appointment of "academic experts" (teachers and university prof...

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VASigned into law 02/2010P-12Option of Electronic Textbooks
H.B. 709
Requires contracts and purchase orders with publishers of textbooks approved by the Board of Education for use in grades 6-12 to allow for the purchase of printed textbooks, printed textbooks with electronic files, or electronic textbooks separate and apart fr...

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+ Whole-School Reform Models