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
+ 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
ILSigned into law 08/2011Postsec.Admission, Retention and Graduation of 1st-Generation College-Goers
S.B. 122
Directs the board of higher education to include in a specified annual report to the governor and general assembly information on each publi...

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CTSigned into law 07/2011Postsec.Planning Commission for Higher Education
S.B. 858 - Postsecondary Provisions
Existing law creates the Blue Ribbon Commission to develop and implement a strategic master plan for higher education in the state. Renames ...

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ORSigned into law 07/2011Postsec.Task Force on Higher Education
H.B. 3418
Creates Task Force on Higher Education Student and Institutional Success and specifies membership. Directs task force to study and prepare r...

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FLSigned into law 06/2011Postsec.Higher Education Coordinating Council/Articulation Coordinating Committee/Various Postsecondary Provisions
H.B. 7151
Establishes the Higher Education Coordinating Council and directs the council to make recommendations on: (1) The primary core mission of pu...

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LAAdopted 06/2011Postsec.Study of Higher Education Institutions
H.C.R. 30
Urges and requests the Board of Regents to study the provision of public postsecondary educational opportunities, to establish the appropria...

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LAAdopted 06/2011Postsec.Postsecondary and Workforce Development Study
H.C.R. 66
Urges and requests the Board of Regents, the Department of Revenue, and the Louisiana Workforce Commission to report and share information a...

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LASigned into law 06/2011Postsec.Revises LA Grad Act - Peformance Agreements
H.B. 549
Revises the Louisiana Granting Resources and Autonomy for Diplomas Act (LA GRAD Act) to provide for additional operational autonomies to be ...

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LASigned into law 06/2011Postsec.LA Graduation Act Performance Audits
H.B. 560
Requires audits of information submitted by such Board of Regents institutions as indication of achievement of performance objectives under ...

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LAAdopted 06/2011Postsec.Shared Vision for Higher Education in Louisiana
H.C.R. 121
Urges the Louisiana Board of Regents to aggressively and fully implement its previously established admission standards, those standards the...

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NVTo governor 06/2011Postsec.Tuition and Fees
S.B. 449
Authorizes the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada, in fixing tuituon charges and assessing registration fees and other fees, to ad...

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TXSigned into law 06/2011Postsec.Degree Plan
H.B. 3025 - Degree Plan
Defines "degree plan" as a statement of the course requirements that an undergraduate must complete to be awarded an associate or bachelor's...

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TXSigned into law 06/2011Postsec.Internet Access to Faculty Information for General Academic Teaching Institutions
H.B. 736 - Internet Access to Faculty Information for General Academic Teaching Institutions
Requires that each general academic teaching institution make public on the institution's Web site the following information: (1) the studen...

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TXSigned into law 06/2011P-12
Postsec.
Institution Resume for Institutions of Higher Education
H.B. 736 - Institution Resume for Institutions of Higher Education
Amends provisions of 51A.002, "Powers and Duties of Coordinating Board Relating to Institution Resumes; General Requirements for Institution...

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TXSigned into law 06/2011P-12
Postsec.
Institution Resume for Legislators and Other Policymakers (51A.052)
H.B. 736 - Institution Resume for Legislators and Other Policymakers (51A.052)
Amends provisions of 51A.052, "Institution Resume for Legislators and Other Policy Makers"--these resumes differ from those established by 5...

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TXSigned into law 06/2011P-12
Postsec.
Institution Resume for Prospective Students, Parents and Members of the Public
H.B. 736 - Institution Resume for Prospective Students, Parents and Members of the Public
Amends provisions of 51A.053, "Institution Resume for Prospective Students, Parents, and Members of the Public". Requires that, under the "E...

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TXSigned into law 06/2011P-12
Postsec.
Institution Resume for Legislators and Other Policy Makers (51A.102)
H.B. 736 - Institution Resume for Legislators and Other Policy Makers (51A.102)
Amends provisions of 51A.102, "Institution Resume for Legislators and Other Policy Makers", which differs from 51A.052, "Institution Resume ...

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TXSigned into law 06/2011P-12
Postsec.
Online Information Regarding Certain Career Educational Entities
H.B. 736 - Online Information Regarding Certain Career Educational Entities
Directs the Texas Workforce Commission and the higher education coordinating board to jointly develop a comprehensive strategy to improve an...

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TXSigned into law 06/2011P-12
Postsec.
Comparison Tool
H.B. 736 - Comparison Tool
Directs the higher education coordinating board to make available on its Web site a search tool allowing for comparisons of general academic...

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TXSigned into law 06/2011Postsec.Postsecondary Reporting Requirements
S.B. 5 - Postsecondary Reporting Requirements
Provides for the expiration of specified reporting requirements applicable to institutions of higher education and university systems. Provi...

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COSigned into law 05/2011Postsec.Higher Education Master Plan
S.B. 52
Directs the commission on higher education to design a master plan that achieves the following goals: increasing the overall number of degre...

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INVetoed 05/2011Postsec.Board of Trustee Membership
H.B. 1177
Modifies the manner in which alumni members of the Indiana University board of trustees are elected. Requires all of the members of the boar...

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NVSigned into law 05/2011Postsec.Postsecondary Accountability
A.B. 220
AN ACT relating to the Nevada System of Higher Education; encouraging the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada to examine, audit and...

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TXAdopted 05/2011Postsec.Approval of New Academic Programs and Administrative Changes at Public Universities, Health-Related Institutions, and Review of Existing Degree Programs
19 TAC 5.43, 44, 52
Defines terms, including "doctoral graduation rate", "graduate placement" and "master's graduation rate". Provides that if the minimum numbe...

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WAPartial veto 05/2011Postsec.Higher Education Opportunity Act
H.B. 1795
Establishes the Higher Education Opportunity Act to: (1) ensure tuition dollars are spent to improve student access, affordability and the q...

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WVSigned into law 05/2011Postsec.Collection and Dissemination of Information Concerning Higher Education Institutions
S.B. 375
Authorizes the Higher Education Policy Commission to collect and disseminate information concerning higher education institutions. Requires ...

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ARSigned into law 03/2011Postsec.
Community College
Higher Education Annual Report
H.B. 1454
Clarifies what information specific to higher education-related reports should contain, including information on affirmitive action programs...

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ARSigned into law 03/2011Postsec.
Community College
Presentation of Expenditure Data
H.B. 1017
Requires state-supported institutions of higher education to present expenditure data on a Web site operated by the institution. The website...

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CASigned into law 03/2011Postsec.State Financial Aid Programs
S.B. 70 - Sec. 69432.7, 69432.9, 69433.2, 69433.6
Makes amendments to the Cal Grant A and B Entitlement Awards, the California Community College Transfer Cal Grant Entitlement Awards, the Co...

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+ 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