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
+ 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
CASigned into law 10/2011P-12From bill summary: Redefines pupil directory information that districts may release to no longer include a pupil's place of birth, but to include a pupil's e-mail address. Allows school districts to permit a counsel of record for a minor to access pupil records for the same purposes as other persons in a professional capacity (i.e., district attorney, probation officer) are permitted to access those records. Requires a probation officer, district attorney, and counsel of record for a minor to be deemed to be local officials for purposes of specified federal law, and would require pupil records obtained pursuant to the above provision to be subject to specified evidentiary rules. Requires officials and authorities receiving pupil records pursuant to specified law to certify in writing to the school district that the information will not be disclosed to another party, except as provided under specified federal law and state law, without the prior written consent of the parent of the pupil or the person identified as the holder of the pupil's educational rights. Authorizes a local educational agency or other person or party to release pupil records or information to specified persons or parties not otherwise permitted access if the records or information are deidentified, as specified. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_0101-0150/ab_143_bill_20111003_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.B. 143
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

CASigned into law 10/2011Community CollegeFrom bill summary: Requires the office of the chancellor of the California Community Colleges, by January 1, 2012, to implement a procedure to facilitate the electronic receipt and transmission of student transcripts by districts. Also requires all community college districts, contingent upon the office of the chancellor's receipt of new, one-time state, federal or philanthropic funding sufficient for this purpose and as a
condition for receiving funding, to implement a process for the receipt and transmission of electronic student transcripts. Requires the office of the chancellor to determine the requirements and procedures for dispersing those funds to participating community college districts and to report to appropriate legislative committees, a year after funds are dispersed, the community colleges that have adopted electronic transcripts and the remaining community colleges that have yet to adopt the electronic transcript delivery system. Allows a community college district that has elected to implement a process for the receipt and transmission of electronic student transcripts to later opt out of the program in any subsequent year. States the intent of the legislature in enacting this measure, and repeals its provisions on January 1, 2015. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_1051-1100/ab_1056_bill_20111008_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.B. 1056
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

CASigned into law 09/2011Postsec.From bill summary: Requires records maintained by an auxiliary organization of the governing board of a community college district, the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, and California State University, or a University of California (UC) campus foundation, as defined, to be available to the public to inspect or copy at all times during the office hours of the organization or foundation. Requires an auxiliary organization and a UC campus foundation to follow specified requirements when fulfilling or denying a request for a record. Prohibits specified records maintained by an auxiliary organization or UC campus
foundation from being subject to disclosure. Prohibits an auxiliary organization from disclosing trade secrets, as defined, and requires this information to be redacted from the organization's records before disclosure. Provides specified judicial relief to persons seeking disclosure of records from an auxiliary organization or a UC campus foundation pursuant to this bill. Requires a disclosure of a record, which is exempt from disclosure, by an auxiliary organization or a UC campus foundation to constitute a waiver of the exemptions provided by this bill with regard to that record, except as specified. Provides that a contract entered into after the effective date of this bill, which would prevent the disclosure of information required to be disclosed pursuant to this bill, is void and unenforceable. Provides that these provisions do not apply to any records subject to a request made pursuant to the California Public Records Act. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_0001-0050/sb_8_bill_20110906_chaptered.pdf
Title: S.B. 8
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

MESigned into law 06/2011P-12Repeals the provisions of law that require local school units to request and report student social security numbers to the state Department of Education. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC223.asp
Title: H.P. 399
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org

NCSigned into law 06/2011P-12Provides that principals must (previously read "may") require the parent/guardian of a child presented for admission to a school for the first time to furnish a certified copy of the child's birth certificate or other satisfactory evidence of birth. Adds a certificate of required immunizations to the required documents that a principal must receive from a parent/guardian of a student presented for admission to a school for the first time. Provides that secondary proof of age may only be established through competent and verifiable evidence, including a medical record of the child's birth issued by the treating physician or the hospital in which the child was born or a certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a church, mosque, temple or other religious institution that maintains birth records of its members.
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2011/Bills/House/PDF/H744v5.pdf
Title: H.B. 744
Source: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us

PASigned into law 06/2011P-12Places a moratorium on the personal data collected by the departments of public welfare and education except for those data points needed to comply with federal law, distribute funds and maintain the health and safety of children.
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

MESigned into law 05/2011P-12Requires a school administrative unit to allow every student enrolled in the school administrative unit the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at some point during a school day in which students are required to attend. Provides that a school administrative unit may not require a student to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC162.asp
Title: H.P. 842
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org

ORSigned into law 05/2011P-12Requires transfer of student education records to school district when charter is terminated or public charter school is dissolved. Applies student education record statutes to public charter schools.
http://www.leg.state.or.us/11reg/measpdf/hb2000.dir/hb2029.en.pdf
Title: H.B. 2029
Source: http://www.leg.state.or.us

TXSigned into law 05/2011Postsec.Provides that information is excepted from public disclosure laws if it is collected or produced by a systemwide compliance office for the purpose of reviewing compliance processes at a university system's member institution. Provides that information that is confidential or excepted from public disclosure may be made available to (1) a governmental agency responsible for investigating a matter that is the subject of a compliance report, including the Texas Workforce Commission civil rights division or the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; or (2) an officer or employee of an institution of higher education or a compliance officer or employee of a university system administration who is responsible under institutional or system policy for a compliance program investigation or for reviewing a compliance program investigation. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB01327F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1327
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us

AZSigned into law 04/2011Postsec.
Community College
Prohibits public universities and community colleges from discriminating against, adopting policies that penalize or punish, or withholding a certificate or degree from a student based on the student's religious viewpoint, expression or belief. Specifies coursework requiring a student''s viewpoint be evaluated based on ordinary academic standards and adherence to the instructions for that assignment. Stipulate that a university or community college cannot discipline or discriminate against a student in a counseling, social work, or psychology program if the student refuses to counsel a client about goals that conflict with the student's sincerely held religious belief and the student consults with the supervising instructor to determine the proper course of action to avoid harm to the client. Requires community colleges and universities that grant recognition to any student organization or group to give equal access or a fair opportunity to other student organizations regardless of the religious, political, philosophical, or other content of the organizations' speech. Chapter 337
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/50leg/1r/bills/hb2565s.pdf
Title: H.B. 2565
Source: http://www.azleg.gov/

AZSigned into law 04/2011P-12Requires charter schools to comply with state statute concerning access to school property by educational and occupational recruiters and the release of student directory information. Directs a school district or charter school which chooses to release student directory information to do so by October 31 each year. Directors the state department of education to develop a form for students to opt out of automatic release of their directory information and requires that form to be distributed to each student each year, separate from any other forms. Allows school districts and charter schools which distribute materials to students electronically to distribute the opt-out form in the same manner. Allows a person who is wrongfully denied access to student directory information or school property to report the violation to the Arizona Department of Public Instruction who must then inform the U.S. Department of Education. Chapter 302
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/50leg/1r/bills/hb2587s.pdf
Title: H.B. 2587
Source: http://www.azleg.gov

CASigned into law 03/2011Community CollegeFrom bill summary: Under existing law, a community college or community college district may not permit any person to access student records without the written consent of the student or under judicial order for access, with specified exceptions generally relating to education. Existing law provides that a person, persons, agency, or organization that is permitted access to student records is prohibited from further disclosing the records without the written consent of the student.

This bill allows a person, persons, agency, or organization that is permitted access to student records to disclose them pursuant to the extent permitted under specified federal and state laws.
Pages 52-53 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_0051-0100/sb_70_bill_20110324_chaptered.pdf
Title: S.B. 70 - Sec. 76243
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

IDSigned into law 03/2011P-12Amends existing law relating to education to eliminate language relating to regulations for proof of illness.
http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2011/H0051.pdf
Title: H.B. 51
Source: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov

MTSigned into law 03/2011P-12By November 1 and March 1 of each school fiscal year, districts are required to prepare a report for the director of the Montana youth challenge program containing the name, last-known address, and dates of attendance of a student who:
(i) is at least 16 years of age but less than 19 years of age;
(ii) was enrolled but is no longer enrolled in a school in the district;
(iii) has not provided school transfer or graduation information to a school in the district; and
(iv) has not received a high school diploma or general educational development certificate.
After preparing the report the local education agency is required to provide written notice to the parent or guardian or to the student if the student is at least 18 or is under 18 and emancipated that the agency intends to provide the report to the director
of the Montana youth challenge program. The parent or guardian or the student must be given the opportunity
to object to the planned disclosure of the information. If no objection is received, the report is supposed to be submitted.
(c) The report provided by the local educational agency may not include a student who:
(i) is receiving medical care or treatment that prohibits school attendance;
(ii) is enrolled in a foreign exchange program;(iii) is enrolled in an early admissions college program;
(iv) is participating in a job corps program, an adult basic education program, or an accredited
apprenticeship program; or (v) is excused from school for a reason determined acceptable by the local educational agency.
(d) The official to whom the information in subsection (8)(a) is provided shall certify in writing to the local
educational agency that is providing the information that the information will not be disclosed to any other party
except as necessary to recruit and retain students.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2011/billpdf/HB0208.pdf
Title: H.B. 208
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov

NDSigned into law 03/2011P-12
Postsec.
Adds new section requiring each high school to provide to the North Dakota university system a list of all students enrolled in grades ten and eleven as of April 15 each year, together with the students' addresses and telephone numbers. Requires the North Dakota university system to disclose this information to each institution under the control of the state board of higher education and to each nonpublic university and college in this state.
http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/62-2011/documents/11-0736-04000.pdf
Title: S.B. 2278
Source: http://www.legis.nd.gov

UTSigned into law 03/2011P-12Requires the state board of education to establish confidentiality standards for student information and student records; develop resource materials for training district and charter school employees, student aides, and volunteers on the confidentiality of student records and information; and provide the resource materials to each district and charter school. Also requires the rules established by the state board to allow a local school board or charter school governing board to adopt policies related to the public school student confidentiality standards to address local needs or priorities. http://le.utah.gov/~2011/bills/hbillenr/hb0145.pdf
Title: H.B. 145
Source: le.utah.gov

VASigned into law 03/2011P-12Authorizes local school boards to adopt and implement policies pursuant to which electronic records and electronic signatures may be accepted from any parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of a child enrolled in the relevant school division.
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+ful+CHAP0261+pdf
Title: H.B. 2243
Source: http://lis.virginia.gov

+ 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