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
+ 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
WISigned into law 12/2011P-12This new section of law allows a charter or contract to include grounds for expelling a pupil from the charter school. If such grounds are included, they must include the procedures to be followed by the charter school. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/related/acts/105
Title: S.B. 95 - Section 9 - 118.40 (2r) (b)
Source: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov

ILSigned into law 08/2011P-12Permits a district to expel a student guilty of gross disobedience or misconduct perpetuated by electronic means. Permits a student to be suspended for up to 10 days or to be expelled for up to two years if (1) the student has made an explicit threat on a Web site against a school employee, a student, or any school-related personnel, (2) the Web site was accessible in the school at the time the threat was made or was available to third parties who worked or studied within the school grounds at the time the threat was made, and (3) the threat could be reasonably interpreted as threatening to the safety and security of the student or staff member because of his/her duties or status as a student or staff member in the school. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/97/PDF/097-0340.pdf
Title: H.B. 3281
Source: www.ilga.gov

ILSigned into law 08/2011P-12Permits a student who has been suspended for more than 20 days to be immediately transferred to an alternative program. Provides that an eligible student may not be denied participation in an alternative learning opportunities program solely because s/he has been expelled, or suspended for more than 20 days. Provides an exception when such transfer is deemed to cause a threat to the safety of students or staff in the alternative program. Permits a student who has been expelled or suspended more than 20 days to be eligible to enroll in a charter alternative learning opportunities program. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/97/PDF/097-0495.pdf
Title: H.B. 2086
Source: www.ilga.gov

CTSigned into law 07/2011P-12 Specifies that a student who has been expelled for the first time and is at least 16 years old is not required to withdraw from regular public school to attend adult education as part of an alternative educational opportunity during the expulsion. Allows such an expelled student to enroll in an adult education program without the approval of his or her school principal (that approval is still required for students who have not been expelled). http://www.cga.ct.gov/2011/ACT/PA/2011PA-00126-R00HB-06433-PA.htm
Title: H.B. 6433
Source: http://www.cga.ct.gov

LAVetoed 07/2011P-12Relates to the discipline of students. Adds restorative justice practices to options for disciplinary measures when students are removed from classrooms. Indicates discliplinary measures that need to be implemented before students can return to classrooms. Requires school boards to adopt rules and guidelines pertaining to willful disobedience by students. Indicates that K-5 students shall not be suspended in-school or out-of-school for school uniform violations, or for being habitually tardy or absent. Requires school boards to publish student discipline policies and other specified information on their websites.
http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=758787
Title: S.B. 67
Source: http://www.legis.state.la.us

NCSigned into law 06/2011P-12Clarifies the definitions of the following terms: alternative education services; corporal punishment; educational property; explusion; firearm; long-term suspension; parent; destructive device; principal; school official; school personnel; short-term suspension; substantial evidence; and superintendent. Requires local boards of education to adopt policies to govern the conduct of students and establish procedure to be followed by school officials in disciplining students. Details what such policies must include. Encourages school officials to use a full range of responses to violations of disciplinary rules, such as conferences, counseling, and peer mediation.

Reasonable force - Provides that school personnel may use reasonable force to control behavior or to remove a person from the scene in those situations when necessary for any of the following reasons: (1) To correct students; (2) To quell a disturbance threatening injury to others; (3) To obtain possession of weapons or other dangerous objects on the person, or within the control, of a student; (4) For self-defense; (5) For the protection of persons or property; and (6) To maintain order on educational property, in the classroom, or at a school-related activity on or off educational property.

Corporal punishment - Directs each school board to determine whether corporal punishment will be permitted in its district. Specifies what the policies adopted for the administration of corporal punishment must include. Requires each school board to report annually to the state board of education on the number of times that corporal punishment was administered.

Suspension - Details when a principal has the authority to impose short- and long-term suspension on a student and what a student subject to short- and long-term suspension must be provided. Provides the procedures for imposing short- and long-term suspension.

Alternative education services - Provides that students who are long-term suspended must be offered alternative education services unless the superintendent provides a significant or important reason for declining to offer such services. Details what constitues a significant or important reason for declining such services.

365-day supension for gun possession - Requires all local boards to develop and implement policies and procedures requiring suspension for 365 calendar days of any student who is determined to have brought or been in possession of a firearm or destructive device on educational property or to a school-sponsored event off educational property.

Expulsion - Provides that upon recommentation of the superintendent, a board of education may expel any student 14 years of age or older whose continued presence in school constitutes a clear threat to the safety of other students or school staff. Provides the procedures for an expulsion. Allows students suspended for 365 days or expelled to, after 180 calendar days from the date of suspension or expulsion, request in writing readmission to the school district. http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2011/Bills/House/PDF/H736v7.pdf
Title: H.B. 736
Source: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us

TXSigned into law 06/2011P-12Provides a student may be expelled if the student accesses a district-owned or -operated computer, computer network or computer system, and knowingly either alters, damages or deletes school district property or information, or commits a breach of any other computer, computer network or computer system. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB01224F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 1224
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us

TXSigned into law 06/2011P-12From fiscal note: Exempts a county with a population of 125,000 or greater from the requirement that expelled students and students meeting other mandatory placement requirements be placed in a Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP). The parameters stipulated in the bill appear to identify Ellis County.
Bill text: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00592F.pdf#navpanes=0
Fiscal note: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/fiscalnotes/pdf/HB00592F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 592
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us

TXSigned into law 06/2011P-12Requires a student who receives deferred prosecution for, is found by a court or jury to have engaged in, or a superintendent or designee has a reasonable belief that a student has engaged in aggravated robbery to be removed from class and placed in a disciplinary alternative education program. Permits a student to be placed in a disciplinary alternative education program if the superintendent or designee has a reasonable belief that the student has engaged in aggravated robbery. Permits a district to expel a student who has received deferred prosecution for or has been found by a court or jury to have engaged in, has been arrested for or charged with, has been referred to a juvenile court for allegedly engaging in, or has received probation or deferred adjudication for aggravated robbery. Clarifies provision allowing expulsion of a student in a disciplinary alternative education program. Specifies that misconduct must be documented and while on the program campus despite documented behavioral interventions. Defines "serious misbehavior" for purposes of this provision.

Provides that each school district in a county with a population over 125,000 and the county juvenile board must annually enter into a joint memorandum of understanding that a student may be placed in the juvenile justice alternative education program if the student engages in serious misbehavior, as defined in statute.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00968F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 968
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us

COSigned into law 05/2011P-12Creates a task force to study school discipline practices and zero tolerance policies and the use of law enforcement and other juvenile justice sanctions for school behavior.
http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2011a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/4573402A707373F18725781800719E8A?Open&file=133_enr.pdf
Title: S.B. 133
Source: http://www.leg.state.co.us

ILAdopted 05/2011P-12Extends the School Success Task Force established during the 96th General Assembly. Directs the task force to submit a report by December 31, 2011. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/97/HJR/PDF/09700HJ0007lv.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 7
Source: www.ilga.gov

NMVetoed 03/2011P-12Would expand data collection and reporting requirements to include the number of student expulsions and suspensions. The data would organized by age, gender, and race/ethnicity; include student enrollment by English language homeless or low-income program; and indicate whether students had been retained. In addition, reports would include data on student violations on school property.
http://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/11%20Regular/bills/house/HB0321.pdf
Title: H.B. 321
Source: http://www.nmlegis.gov/

+ 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