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
+ 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
NYIssued 11/2011Postsec.Continues the New York State Council on Returning Veterans and Their Families, and expands the membership and mission. Expansion of membership adds the Commissioner of the State Education Department, the President of the Higher Education Services Corporation or their designees, among others. Expanded mission includes making recommendations to (1) assist with the credentialing of military specialties into civilian occupations, so that the skills, education, training, experience, and credentials acquired by veterans during their military service can be used to expand their employment opportunities, and (2) provide returning veterans with information and assistance in meeting their academic goals, including information and assistance regarding scholarship opportunities and higher education loans. Directs every agency and authority in the state to review paths into the civilian workforce and identify ways the state can better recognize the skills, education, training, experience, and credentials acquired by veterans while in military service, including by reviewing licensure and educational credit programs to identify ways qualifying military training and experience can be counted.
Executive Order 34: http://www.governor.ny.gov/executiveorder/34
Original 2008 Executive Order (revoked and superceded by Executive Order 34): http://www.governor.ny.gov/archive/paterson/executiveorders/eo_12.html
Title: Executive Order 34
Source: www.governor.ny.gov

CASigned into law 10/2011P-12
Postsec.
From bill summary: Authorizes the organization of a California Cadet Corps (http://www.cadet.org/cadet/site/default.asp) at each college, community college or school where there is not currently a J.R.O.T.C. or R.O.T.C. program, and under such rules and regulations as the governing body of the schools and the Adjutant General may prescribe. Also authorizes the Adjutant General to appoint officers, warrant officers and noncommissioned officers for duty in each college, community college or school under the jurisdiction of the governing board, and requires that their pay, allowances and expenses be disbursed from the college, community college or school in which they serve. Authorizes the Adjutant General to order those officers to temporary state active duty to perform functions in support of the California Cadet Corps. Authorizes the governor, upon recommendation of the Adjutant General, to appoint Special Project Officers, warrant officers, and noncommissioned officers for service in the California Cadet Corps, and authorizes the Adjutant General to adopt rules and regulations for the promotion of officers, warrant officers and noncommissioned officers of the California Cadet Corps. Authorizes members of the California Cadet Corps to use California National Guard facilities for training purposes. Authorizes any executive officer, assistant executive officer, advisor, officer, warrant officer or noncommissioned officer hurt in the line of duty to receive workers' compensation. Creates a presumption that the yearly earning of such individual is not less than $10,000.

Authorizes the instructors of a military academy meeting specified requirements, including having more than 80 students, to be commissioned in the California Cadet Corps, and authorizes the Adjutant General to enter into a cooperative agreement with a governing board of a school district or a county office of education to establish a military academy or an alternative education option. Requires the executive officer, the assistant executive officer, the regional advisors or military officers of the California National Guard, State Military Reserve, or Naval Militia detailed by the Adjutant General to inspect units of the California Cadet Corps at least once every 2 years and annually for any unit receiving a rating of unsatisfactory in a prior year's inspection. Also requires units in their first year of operation to receive an assistance visit to ensure assigned personnel receive the training and support needed to adequately prepare for their first formal, for-record inspection. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_0501-0550/sb_537_bill_20111008_chaptered.pdf
Title: S.B. 537
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

CASigned into law 10/2011Postsec.From bill summary: Amends state law to conform with federal law granting a member of the Armed Forces, or his or her dependent, entitlement to resident classification for so long as he or she is continuously enrolled at that institution. Requests the Regents of the University of California to establish the same residency requirements as those established by this bill for students enrolled at the University of California. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_0851-0900/ab_882_bill_20111009_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.B. 882
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

CASigned into law 09/2011Postsec.From bill summary: Existing law requires the California State University and each community college district, and requests the University of California, with respect to each campus in their respective jurisdictions that administers a priority enrollment system, to grant priority for registration for enrollment to any member or former member of the U.S. Armed Forces for any academic term attended at one of these institutions within 2 years of leaving active duty. This bill would grant priority enrollment to these members or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are California residents, within 4 years of leaving active duty.

Because the bill would impose additional duties on community college districts, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill provides that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs must be made pursuant to these statutory provisions. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_0801-0850/sb_813_bill_20110930_chaptered.pdf
Title: S.B. 813
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

LASigned into law 06/2011Postsec.Revises current statute on providing tuition exemption for family members of a member of the Louisiana National Guard.
http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=760079
Title: H.B. 232
Source: http://www.legis.state.la.us

LASigned into law 06/2011Postsec.Awards educational credits to a student enrolled in a public college or university, who is also a veteran, for courses that are part of the student's military training or service and that meet certain academic standards. Provides definitions and implementation requirements, including the adoption of certain policies and necessary rules, regulations, and procedures.
http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=760100
Title: H.B. 500
Source: http://www.legis.state.la.us

OHSigned into law 06/2011Postsec.Amends various provisions related to the Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program. Makes students at private institutions of higher education, community colleges, state community colleges, university branches, and technical colleges eligible for participation. Clarifies that "tuition" for purposes of the amount of scholarship payments does not include laboratory fees, room and board, or other similar fees and charges. Provides that scholarships will be approved for all eligible applicants. Repeals language regarding reducing an applicant's scholarship amount based on the amount of certain other service-related benefits. Makes applicants enrolled in 3 but fewer than 6 credit hours eligible for a scholarship. Establishes procedures for projecting the potential costs of the program (i.e., scholarship recipients) and identifies actions to be taken if the amounts available for the program are inadequate to provide scholarships for all eligible applicants.
Pages 801-807 of 1000: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_HB_153_EN_part3.pdf
Title: H.B. 153 - National Guard Scholarship Program
Source: www.legislature.state.oh.us

ORSigned into law 06/2011Community CollegeDirects the board of each community college district, in consultation with the department of veterans' affairs, to develop standards for the district to award credit for education and training obtained during service in the U.S. Armed Forces. Requires the community college to give credit for education and training that meets board standards. Directs community college boards to develop methods to inform veterans about how credit may be received through U.S. Armed Forces education and training. http://www.leg.state.or.us/11reg/measpdf/sb0200.dir/sb0275.en.pdf
Title: S.B. 275
Source: www.leg.state.or.us

TXSigned into law 06/2011P-12
Postsec.
Specifies that military personnel, veterans or dependents seeking the tuition exemption must be currently residing in the state, effective with fall 2011 (provides grandfather clause for existing recipients who received an exemption while residing out of state). Requires the higher education coordinating board to allow, following the death of an individual eligible for an exemption, assignment of the exemption for the unused portion of the credit hours to a child of the person, to be made by the person's spouse or other legally designated caretaker of the child, if the child does not otherwise qualify for an exemption. Requires a child dependent eligible for an exemption to be 25 or younger on the first day of the term for which the exemption is claimed. Directs the higher education coordinating board to prescribe procedures by which a child who suffered from a severe illness or other debilitating condition that affected the child's ability to use the exemption before reaching age 25 to be granted additional time to use the exemption corresponding to the time the child was unable to use the exemption because of the illness or condition.

Creates new section directing the governing board of an institution to provide a tuition exemption to the dependent child of a resident member of the U.S. Armed Forces (or who is otherwise eligible for resident tuition) for any semester during which the member is on active duty in a combative military operation outside the U.S. Requires each applicant to submit satisfactory evidence of eligibility for the exemption. Provides a person may not receive such an exemption for more than 150 semester credit hours, and may not receive an exemption if the person is in default on a Texas educational loan. Prohibits institutions from considering the person's eligibility for such an exemption when determining whether to admit the person to any certificate or degree program. Directs the legislature, in its appropriations to institutions of higher education, based on availability, to provide sufficient money to cover the full costs of such exemptions. Requires the higher education coordinating board, in the event of insufficient funds, to prorate the available funding to each institution for these purposes in proportion to the total amount the institution would otherwise be entitled to receive. Specifies an institution is required to grant an exemption from the payment of tuition under these provisions only to the extent money is available for that purpose. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00639F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 639
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us

VASigned into law 04/2011Postsec.Ensures that the established in-state tuition eligibility must not be affected by the establishment and maintenance of a place of residence in another jurisdiction for the purpose of maintaining a joint household with such member. Also provides that the spouse of an active-duty military service member, if such spouse has established domicile and claimed a dependent student on federal or state income tax returns, must not be subject to minimum income tests or requirements. http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+ful+CHAP0782
Title: H.B. 1848/S.B. 1279
Source: http://lis.virginia.gov

KYSigned into law 03/2011P-12
Postsec.
Permits the governing board of a public university to adopt a tuition policy whereby any veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard who is eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits who enrolls as a student in the university as a non-Kentucky resident is charged no more than the maximum tuition reimbursement provided under the Post-9/11 GI Bill to public universities for eligible Kentucky residents. http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/11RS/HB425/bill.doc
Title: H.B. 425 - Resident Tuition for Veterans
Source: www.lrc.ky.gov

UTSigned into law 03/2011P-12
Postsec.
Requires an institution of higher education to grant resident status to the child of active duty military personnel if the child produces any of specified identification.
http://le.utah.gov/~2011/bills/sbillenr/sb0046.pdf
Title: S.B. 46
Source: le.utah.gov

VASigned into law 03/2011Postsec.Provides in-state tuition for any person who met the requirements for in-state tuition prior to being called to active duty in the National Guard of another state following completion of active duty service if during active duty that person maintained one or more of the following in Virginia rather than in another state or jurisdiction: a driver's license, motor vehicle registration, voter registration, employment, property ownership, or sources of financial support. http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+ful+CHAP0376+pdf
Title: S.B. 1074
Source: http://lis.virginia.gov/

VASigned into law 03/2011Postsec.Authorizes certain veterans who elect to establish Virginia as their permanent residence for domiciliary purposes to establish immediate residency in Virginia and become eligible for in-state tuition, rather than waiting the required one-year period. http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+ful+CHAP0038+pdf
Title: H.B. 1861/S.B. 824
Source: http://lis.virginia.gov/

VASigned into law 02/2011Postsec.Updates language requiring the State Council of Higher Education to issue and update military reinstatement guidelines to allow reinstatement for students whose service in the uniformed services has required sudden withdrawal or prolonged absence from enrollment in a public institution of higher education. http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+ful+CHAP0027+pdf
Title: H.B. 1647
Source: http://lis.virginia.gov/

+ 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