ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2011 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 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
+ 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
ILAdopted 10/2011P-12Amends certification requirements for administrators of transitional bilingual education program, to bring into compliance with other changes. Pages 715-719 of 764: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/index/register/register_volume35_issue42.pdf
Title: 23 IL ADC 228.35
Source: www.cyberdriveillinois.com

ILAdopted 10/2011P-12From administrative register: In 2006, the state board established for the first time requirements for administrators of bilingual education programs. These rules required such administrators to have the appropriate administrative certification and hold one of several endorsements or approvals required of bilingual education teachers, with the specific endorsement or approval dependent on whether the program offered was a transitional bilingual education program (TBE) or a transitional program of instruction (TPI). It has become clear that a significant number of districts have been unable to find individuals to serve in administrative positions who have the proper bilingual endorsement or approval. The previous requirements have been particularly troubling for school districts with transitional bilingual education programs, wherein instruction is provided to students in their native language while they are learning English. Under those requirements, an administrator of a TBE program was required to hold either the bilingual endorsement or approval or the English as a new language endorsement with a language designation. Both of these endorsements require passage of a language examination to demonstrate proficiency in a second language.

New Section 1.783 offers, as an alternative to obtaining an endorsement or approval, the option for an administrator to complete coursework specific to bilingual education. Pages 589 and 597-599: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/index/register/register_volume35_issue42.pdf
Title: 23 IL ADC 1.705, 783
Source: www.cyberdriveillinois.com

ILSigned into law 08/2011P-12Effective June 30, 2012, repeals 105 ILCS 5/21-1a on teacher certification exams. Effective June 30, 2013, repeals statutory provisions on (1) teacher certification, qualifications and issuance of certificates; (2) subject endorsement on teacher certificates; (3) grades of certificates; (4) early childhood certificates; (5) required instruction for all teachers; (6) elementary, special and high school certificates; (7) alternative certification and alternative routes to teacher certification; (8) administrative certification and alternative routes to administrator certification; (9) teacher leader endorsements; (10) principal preparation programs; (11) substitute certificates and substitute teaching; (12) provisional certificates; (13) recognition of certification of teachers from out of state; (14) additional certificates for experienced employed teachers; (15) resident teacher certificates; (16) 105 ILCS 5/21-12 related to printing, seal, signature, credentials for teacher certificates; (17) annual registration fees for certificates; (18) school service personnel certificates; (19) the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program (however, this program is reauthorized in the new Article 21B).

Effective September 2013, repeals statutory provisions related to the Illinois Teacher Corps.

Creates new Article 21B, "Educator Licensure". As summarized in http://www.ift-aft.org/News/DailyNews/11-06-06/Changes_in_Educator_Licensing_Pass_in_SB_1799.aspx:
--Renames the State Teacher Certification Board as the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
--Changes the name of the certificate to the Illinois Professional Educator License. Qualified educators will be issued a professional educator license endorsed in each area and grade level for which they are eligible to seek employment in teaching, administration or school service. Each license will be valid for 5 years.
--Streamlines the 66 types of available certificates to 3 types of licenses: the Illinois Professional Educator License, the Professional Educator License with Stipulations and the Substitute Teaching License.. Each will be endorsed in specific content and grade areas. This change will make it easy for each license holder to track his/her qualifications as all endorsements will be on a single license rather than multiple certificates.
--All certificates renewing after July 2012 will be exchanged for Illinois licenses. Hard copy licenses will not be issued but the new credentials can be accessed and printed from the Educator Certification System online.
--The three license system (Initial, Standard, Master certificates) will be eliminated.
--Individuals holding National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification will get a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards designation on an existing Professional Educator License. Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards does not automatically allow an individual to teach in the area for which he/she received NBPTS certification unless the individual also has the appropriate Illinois endorsement. The designation is issued for the same validity period (10 years) as the NBPTS certification. If an individual does not renew his/her NBPTS certification, the designation will be removed from the Professional Educator License.
--New fee structure effective January 2012 for applications for license (for in-state and out-of-state educators), additional endorsements/approvals, and registration per year.
--Effective September 2014, the general administrative endorsement will not be issued. Until July 2015, an individual may convert to a principal endorsement if he/she served at least 1 full year during the last 5 years in a position requiring a general administrative endorsement.
--Substitute teacher licenses are valid for 5 years and may be renewed if the individual has passed a test of basic skills. However, if an individual has had his/her Professional Educator License or Educator License with Stipulations suspended or revoked or has not met the renewal requirements for licensure, the individual is not eligible to obtain a Substitute Teaching License.
--The Paraprofessional educator endorsement will be on the Professional Educator License and renewable every 5 years. Renewal requirements have not yet been determined. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/97/PDF/097-0607.pdf
Title: S.B. 1799
Source: www.ilga.gov

ORSigned into law 07/2011P-12Directs preparation of plan to encourage national board certification for teachers and administrators. Requires creation of comprehensive leadership development system for administrators. Renames Professional Organizations Certification Fund as National Board Certification Fund and sets purpose of fund to promote national certification of teachers and administrators. Directs preparation of guidelines for uniform set of model core teaching standards for teaching preparation. Requires adoption of standards on or before March 1, 2012, and use of standards by school districts in 2012-2013 school year. Establishes reporting and implementation timeline. Declares emergency. Effective July 6, 2011
http://www.leg.state.or.us/11reg/measpdf/hb3400.dir/hb3474.en.pdf
Title: H.B. 3474
Source: http://www.leg.state.or.us

HISigned into law 06/2011P-12Permits the department of education to determine alternative routes to certification for principals and vice-principals. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2011/Bills/HB1056_SD2_.HTM
Title: H.B. 1056
Source: www.capitol.hawaii.gov

NVSigned into law 06/2011P-12Requires the Commission on Professional Standards in Education to adopt regulations prescribing the qualifications for licensing teachers and administrators pursuant to an alternative route to licensure; requiring the State Board of Education to evaluate the providers of education and training approved by the Commission to offer an alternative route to licensure.
http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/76th2011/Bills/SB/SB315_EN.pdf
Title: S.B. 315
Source: http://www.leg.state.nv.us

PASigned into law 06/2011P-12Article X allows individuals who have a master's degree in business or finance from an accredited higher education institution to be hired as superintendents or assistant superintendents. Candidates must also complete an approved school leadership program.
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/FN/2011/0/HB1352P2227.pdf
Title: H.B. 1352
Source: http://www.legis.state.pa.us

KYSigned into law 03/2011P-12Specifies that any active duty military personnel must be kept in good standing by the administrative body with which he/she is licensed or certified, provided that, at the time of activation, the member was in good standing with a state administrative body, and was duly licensed to engage in his/her profession in the Commonwealth. Requires that any active duty military personnel's certification or licensure must be renewed without payment of fees or obtaining continuing education credits when circumstances associated with military duty prevent obtaining training, and a waiver request has been submitted to the appropriate administrative body. Provides the license or certificate must be continued as long as the holder is an active duty member of the military, and for a period of six months after discharge from active duty.

Directs an administrative body to issue a temporary or regular license or certificate to the spouse of any active duty military personnel within 30 days if the spouse meets the administrative body's statutory requirements and applies to the administrative body. http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/11RS/HB301/bill.doc
Title: H.B. 301
Source: www.lrc.ky.gov

+ 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
+ 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