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From the ECS State Policy Database 2011 State Policies / Activities

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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 2011. 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--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 At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol Attendance Attendance--Compulsory 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--Charter Schools--Research Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment Choice of Schools--Innovation Schools Choice of Schools--Magnet or Specialized Schools Choice of Schools--Tax Credits Choice of Schools--Vouchers Choice of Schools--Vouchers--Privately Funded Civic Education Civic Education--Character Education Civic Education--Civic Knowledge and Literacy Civic Education--Pledge of Allegiance Class Size Curriculum Curriculum--Arts Education Curriculum--Drivers Education Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed. Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education Curriculum--Language Arts Curriculum--Mathematics Curriculum--Physical Education Curriculum--Science Curriculum--Sex Education Curriculum--Social Studies/History Data-Driven Improvement Demographics--Enrollments Desegregation Economic/Workforce Development Equity Federal Finance Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost Finance--Aid to Private Schools Finance--Bonds Finance--District Finance--Facilities Finance--Federal Finance--Funding Formulas Finance--Local Foundations/Funds Finance--Lotteries Finance--Performance Funding 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 NV Adopted 12/2011 P-12 Credit for Certain Courses Without Attending Class NAC 389.670 Amends provisions relating to credit for certain courses without attending class. Specifies that each district's board of trustees must make... More... CA Signed into law 10/2011 P-12 Awarding of Credit for Certain Pupils in Foster Care S.B. 578 From bill summary: Requires a school district and county office of education to accept coursework satisfactorily completed by a pupil in fos... More... CA Signed into law 10/2011 P-12 State Seal of Biliteracy on High School Diplomas and Transcripts A.B. 815 From bill summary: Establishes the State Seal of Biliteracy to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency... More... CA Signed into law 10/2011 P-12 Graduation Requirements A.B. 1330 From bill summary: Commencing with the 2012–13 school year, adds completion of a course in career technical education as an alternative to t... More... CT Signed into law 07/2011 P-12 Secondary School Reform Act Delay/Teacher Evaluations/Tenure/Student Governance Councils/6th Grade Student Success Plan H.B. 6498 Secondary School Reform Act - Delays by two years the implementation of the secondary school reform requirements enacted in 2010 that: (1) I... More... MN Signed into law 07/2011 P-12 Postsec. Early Graduation H.F. 26 Redirects early graduation savings from a school district to the early graduation achievement scholarship program for participating students... More... FL Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Digital Curriculum/ Middle School Career and Professional Academy H.B. 1255 - Sec. 17, 19, 20, 28 Authorizes school districts to provide a digital curriculum for students in grades 6 through 12 (Sec. 17). Requires a district's strategic p... More... FL Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Digital Learning Now Act H.B. 7197 Creates Digital Learning Now Act. Requires school districts to establish virtual instruction options. Authorizes establishment of virtual ch... More... ME Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Includes Civics in the Social Studies and History Courses Required for a Diploma H.P. 902 (L.D. 1211) Requires a secondary student to satisfactorily complete at least one course in civics and government to receive a high school diploma. http:... More... ME Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Updating High School Graduation Requirements S.P. 295 (L.D. 949) Proposes to amend the current education laws to update high school graduation requirements. Requires the Department of Education (DOE) to su... More... NV Vetoed 06/2011 P-12 High School Diploma A.B. 456 Bill provides that a pupil who has failed to pass the same subject area of the high school proficiency examination each time the pupil took ... More... OH Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Technology and Competency-Based Credit in Graduation Requirements H.B. 153 - Technology and Competency-Based Credit in Graduation Requirements Removes "whenever praticable" from provisions directing school districts, community schools, and chartered nonpublic schools to integrate te... More... OR Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Instructional Hours H.B. 2283 Specifies that students receiving a modified diploma, extended diploma or alternative certificate have access to instructional hours and tra... More... OR Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 High School Diploma Requirements S.B. 24 Requires students to complete at least 24 total-credits, three credits of mathematics, and four credits of English in order to graduate. Rep... More... TX Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Substitution for P.E. Credit for High School Graduation H.B. 692 Requires the state board of education to allow a student who is unable to participate in physical activity due to disability or illness to s... More... TX Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Applied STEM Courses S.B. 1620 Defines an "applied STEM course" as a STEM course offered as part of a school district's career and technology education curriculum. Directs... More... GA Signed into law 05/2011 P-12 Credit Based on Demonstration of Competency H.B. 186 - Credit Based on Demonstration of Competency Directs the state board, in consultation with the board of regents of the University System of Georgia and the board of technical and adult ... More... ND Signed into law 05/2011 P-12 High School Graduation Requirements S.B. 2150 - Multiple Provisions Clarifies that in order to obtain a high school diploma, a student must have successfully completed 22 units of high school coursework and a... More... NV Signed into law 05/2011 P-12 Demonstrated Competency A.B. 233 Revises provisions granting credit for a course of study without attending the classes for the course if the pupil passes an examination pre... More... SC Signed into law 05/2011 P-12 Clarifies Science Course Requirement for Receiving a High School Diploma S.J.R. 686 Clarifies the science course requirement for receiving a high school diploma. Current law requires students to pass a science course in a su... More... AL Adopted 04/2011 P-12 IB May Substitute for Advanced Academic Endorsement Courses AL ADC 290-3-1-.02 Amends rule 290-3-1-.02(8) (g)6 which will allow any Alabama public school system to substitute the IB Diploma Program courses for required ... More... AR Signed into law 04/2011 P-12 Credit for participating in Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps H.B. 2205 Allows public school student to recieve high school graduation credit participation in Jr. ROTC. A student who completes two semesters of a ... More... AZ Signed into law 04/2011 P-12 Community College Grand Canyon Diploma Implementation S.B. 1451 Makes various clarifying, technical and conforming changes related to the implementation of the Grand Canyon Diploma (GCD). Requires the go... More... IA Signed into law 04/2011 P-12 Graduation Requirements S.F. 453 Requires that the rules establishing high school graduation requirements authorize issuance of high school credit for a high school-level un... More... RI Adopted 04/2011 P-12 Board of Regents Regulation - Secondary School Regulations (6433) RI ADC 21-2-46:L-6-1.0 through 6-4.0 Changes the date for implementation of the graduation requirements from the class of 2012 to the class of 2014. The tiered diploma structure... More... ID Signed into law 03/2011 P-12 Postsec. Mastery Advancement Pilot Program H.B. 78 Amends existing law on the Mastery Advancement Pilot Program (MAPP), which provides students with the opportunity and incentive to move more... More... TX Adopted 01/2011 P-12 Graduation Requirements 19 TAC 89.1070 Specifies graduation requirements for students receiving special education services. Reflects changes to assessment and curriculum requireme... More... High School--International Baccalaureate Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools 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--Professional Development Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Tenure Middle School Minority/Diversity Issues Minority/Diversity Issues--African American Minority/Diversity Issues--American Indian / Alaska Native / Native Hawaiian No Child Left Behind--Adequate Yearly Progress No Child Left Behind--Assessment No Child Left Behind--Consequences for Schools 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 Ensuring Quality P-3 Finance P-3 Governance P-3 Grades 1-3 P-3 Health and Mental Health P-3 Kindergarten P-3 Kindergarten--Full-Day Kindergarten P-3 Preschool P-3 Special Ed./Inclusion P-3 Teaching Quality/Professional Development Parent/Family Postsecondary Postsecondary Accountability Postsecondary Accountability--Accreditation Postsecondary Accountability--Student Learning Postsecondary Affordability 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 Postsecondary Faculty--Compensation Postsecondary Faculty--Intellectual Property 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--Four-Year Baccalaureate Postsecondary Institutions--HBCUs/Minority-Serving Institutions Postsecondary Institutions--Private/Independent Postsecondary Online Instruction Postsecondary Participation--Access Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements Postsecondary Participation--Affirmative Action Postsecondary Participation--Enrollments (Statistics) Postsecondary Students Postsecondary Students--Adults Postsecondary Students--Disabled Postsecondary Students--Foster Youth Postsecondary Students--Graduate/Professional Postsecondary Students--International Postsecondary Students--Low-Income Postsecondary Students--Military Postsecondary Students--Minority Postsecondary Success Postsecondary Success--Completion Postsecondary Success--Completion--Completion Rates (Statistics) 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 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 Safety--Uniforms/Dress Codes School/District Structure/Operations School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation School/District Structure/Operations--District Size 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--Staffing Ratios 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--Immigrant 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 Supports--Counseling/Guidance Student Supports--Mentoring/Tutoring Student Supports--Remediation Student Surveys Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities Students--Employment Students--Incentives 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--Unions/Collective Bargaining--Strikes Technology Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware Technology--Equitable Access Technology--Funding Issues Technology--Teacher/Faculty Training Textbooks and Open Source Urban--Change/Improvements