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
+ Counseling/Guidance
+ 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
+ Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
+ International Baccalaureate
+ 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
+ Mentoring/Tutoring
+ 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--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
+ Remediation (K-12)
+ 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--Military
+ Standards
+ Standards--Common Core State Standards
+ State Longitudinal Data Systems
+ State Policymaking
+ State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions
+ STEM
+ Student Achievement
+ 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
OHRepealed by referendum 11/2011P-12Teacher Tenure
S.B. 5 - Teacher Tenure
Abolishes continuing contracts for teachers, except for those continuing contracts in existence prior to the effective date of the bill. Revises the law relating to limited contracts. For teachers holding contracts prior to the effective date of amendments, co...

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OHRepealed by referendum 11/2011P-12Teacher, Principal, Superintendent and Other Employee Compensation
S.B. 5 - Compensation sections
--Public employee pay: Does away with salary schedules and replaces with salary "ranges." Requires performance-based pay for teachers and nonteaching school employees. Requires a school board to measure performance by considering the level of license the teach...

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CTSigned into law 07/2011P-12Teaching Specialized Courses/Teacher Contract Renewal Notification
H.B. 6499 - Sec. 3, 14
Sec. 3 - Allows the Commissioner of Education, upon request from a board of education for a district that has a school with grades K-8, to permit a certified teacher employed by such board in such school who holds an endorsement in elementary education and who...

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CTSigned into law 07/2011P-12Secondary School Reform Act Delay/Teacher Evaluations/Tenure/Student Governance Councils/6th Grade Student Success Plan
H.B. 6498
Secondary School Reform Act - Delays by two years the implementation of the secondary school reform requirements enacted in 2010 that: (1) Increase the minimum number of credits required to graduate from high school; (2) Require school districts to offer stude...

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INSigned into law 07/2011P-12Teacher Evaluations and Renewal
S.B. 1--Teachers
Establishes an annual staff performance evaluation that categorizes teachers as highly effective, effective, improvement necessary, or ineffective. Allows school corporations to meet requirements for evaluation plans by using any of the following models: A pla...

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INSigned into law 07/2011P-12Probationary Status and Cancellation of Teacher Contracts
S.B. 1 - Teacher Contract Renewal
Adds new sections of law (20-28-6-7.5 and 20-28-7.5). PROBATIONARY STATUS: For teachers not under contract prior to 7/2012, a teacher is considered probationary if he/she was under contract after 7/2011, has not yet received a rating or receives a rating of in...

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MISigned into law 07/2011P-12Continuing Tenure of Certificated Teachers
H.B. 4625
From Legislative Staff Summary: Specifies that a probationary teacher rated as effective or highly effective is not subject to displacement by a tenured teacher solely because the other teacher is on continuing tenure. Increases the probationary period from fo...

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MISigned into law 07/2011P-12Amends Teacher Tenure Law
H.B. 4626
From Legislative Staff Summary - Allows a teacher on continuing tenure to be dismissed or demoted for a reason that is not arbitrary and capricious, rather than for reasonable and just cause. Revises the definition of "demote". Allows a controlling board to pl...

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MISigned into law 07/2011P-12Certain Subjects Excluded From Collective Bargaining Agreement
H.B. 4628
From Legislative Staff Summary - Amends the public employment relations Act to prohibit decisions about the following subjects from being included in collective bargaining between a public school employer and a representative of its employees: (1) Teacher plac...

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MNSigned into law 07/2011P-12Evaluations of Probationary Teachers
H.F. 26
Requires a school board to adopt a plan for at least three written periodic evaluations of probationary teachers throughout a school year. Requires the first evaluation to occur within the first 90 days of teaching service. (Article 2, Sec 12)
http://wdoc.hous...

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MNSigned into law 07/2011P-12Probationary Period, Discharge or Demotion
H.F. 26
For teachers in first class city school districts, requires a school board to adopt a plan for at least three written periodic evaluations of probationary teachers throughout a school year. Requires the first evaluation to occur within the first 90 days of tea...

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MNSigned into law 07/2011P-12Professional Development, Evaluation, and Peer Coaching
H.F. 26
Allows a school board and the exclusive representative of the teachers to develop through joint agreement a teacher evaluation and peer review process, premised on the content of this section, for probationary and continuing contract teachers.

Establishes an...

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NHBecame law without governor's signature 07/2011P-12Regulations for Nonrenomination or Nonreelection of Teachers
S.B. 196
Amends the length of time required for a teacher to be entitled to the rights of notification and hearing for failure to be renominated or reelected. Declares that in cases of nonrenomination or nonreelection because of reduction in force, the reduction in for...

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TXSigned into law 07/2011P-12Voiding of Staff Contracts
S.B. 8 - Voiding and Nonrenewal of Staff Contracts
From bill summary: Revises and expand the grounds for rendering a district employee's probationary, continuing or term contract void on the basis of a failure to meet certain requirements relating to the employee's certification and revises a district's author...

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TXSigned into law 07/2011P-12Employees with Void Contracts
S.B. 8 - Employees with Void Contracts
From bill summary: Revises and expands the grounds for rendering a district employee's probationary, continuing or term contract void on the basis of a failure to meet certain requirements relating to the employee's certification and revises a district's autho...

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TXSigned into law 07/2011P-12Termination/Nonrenewal of Teacher Contracts
S.B. 8 - Termination/Nonrenewal of Teacher Contracts
From bill summary: Changes the deadline by which a district board of trustees is required to notify a teacher employed under a probationary contract and a teacher whose contract is about to expire of its decision to terminate the teacher's employment at the en...

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TXSigned into law 07/2011P-12Hearing on Proposed Nonrenewal of Teacher Contract
S.B. 8 - Hearing on Proposed Nonrenewal of Teacher Contract
From bill summary: Authorizes the board of trustees of a district with an enrollment of at least 5,000 students to designate a licensed attorney who is neither employed by nor affiliated with the district to hold a hearing on a proposed nonrenewal of a teacher...

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ILSigned into law 06/2011P-12Teacher Dismissal; Suspension or Revocation of Teacher Licensure
S.B. 7 - Teacher Dismissal; Suspension or Revocation of Teacher Licensure
Repeals provision allowing teacher to be dismissed for failure to complete a 1-year remediation plan with a "satisfactory" or better rating; replaces with provision allowing dismissal on the basis of performance. Defines "incompetency" for purposes of suspensi...

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ILSigned into law 06/2011P-12Teacher Employment (Attainment of Tenure)
S.B. 7 - Teacher Employment (Attainment of Tenure)
Applies to all districts (Note: The probationary period has been 4 years since 1998): Increases teacher probationary period to 4 consecutive school terms prior to the implementation of PERA (teacher evaluation based in part on student performance; districts va...

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ILSigned into law 06/2011P-12Dismissal of Teacher in Continued Service
S.B. 7 - Dismissal of Teacher in Continued Service
Applies to all districts: Requires that the dismissal notice of a teacher in continued service (other than an honorable dismissal) include a bill of particulars and the teacher's right to request a hearing. Amends various due process provisions. Allows a teach...

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NCSigned into law 06/2011P-12Modifies Law Governing Teacher Career Status
S.B. 466
Modifies the law governing teacher career status. Creates a definition of "inadequate performance" for teachers: failure to perform at a proficient level on any standard of the Department of Public Instruction's teacher evaluation instrument or otherwise perfo...

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NVSigned into law 06/2011P-12Teacher and Administrator Evaluations and Employment
A.B. 229
Expands the requirements of the annual reports of accountability to include a reporting of the number and percentages of administrators, teachers, and other staff for each elementary school, middle school or junior high school and high school and for each scho...

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ALSigned into law 05/2011P-12
Postsec.
Employer and Employee Rights
S.B. 310
Establishes the Students First Act of 2011. Establishes the purposes of this act. Provides definitions. Provides no action may be proposed or approved based upon the personal or political reasons of the employer, chief executive officer or governing board. Est...

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FLSigned into law 05/2011P-12
Postsec.
Repeals Various Obsolete Education Provisions
H.B. 7087
Repeals provisions relating to programs that were never implemented or are no longer funded. The programs are: Digital Divide Council and the associated Pilot Project for Discounted Computers and Internet Access for Low-Income Students; the Institute on Urban ...

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MDSigned into law 05/2011P-12Requires Posting of Various Paths Leading to Teacher Certification and Tenure
S.B. 687
Requires the state Department of Education to develop an informational form that lists and explains the various paths that can be taken in order to obtain certification and tenure in the state and must post the form on its website. http://mlis.state.md.us/2011...

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MDSigned into law 05/2011P-12Teacher Certification & Tenure/Employment for Military Spouses
H.B. 998
Requires the state Department of Education to develop a specified form relating to teacher certification and tenure and to post the form on its Web site. Requires the Adjutant General or the Adjutant General's designee to assist military spouses in finding spe...

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MESigned into law 05/2011P-12Teacher Continuting Contract Offers/Probationary Teacher Evaluation
H.P. 720
Requires three years of experience in a school administrative unit before a teacher may receive a continuing contract offer. Requires the superintendent to evaluate probationary teachers during, but not limited to, their second year of employment. Provides tha...

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TNSigned into law 05/2011P-12Written Notices of Termination
H.B. 731
Eliminates the requirement that written notices of termination for K-12 teachers in public schools contain a statement of prior authorization by a majority vote of the local school board with the name of the teacher recorded.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/10...

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OKSigned into law 04/2011P-12Revises Due Process Provisions for Teachers and Administrators
H.B. 1380
Modifies and deletes several substantive elements related to teacher contract definitions and the Teacher Due Process Act of 1990. Deletes career teacher pretermination hearing procedures and requirements and the right to appeal to a district court; deletes re...

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TNSigned into law 04/2011P-12Teacher Non-Renewal, Tenure
S.B. 1528
From the Fiscal Note: Changes, from May 15 to June 15, the date by which teachers must receive termination notices and by which teachers and other school personnel must be assigned to a school for the next school year. Changes the probationary period that a te...

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FLSigned into law 03/2011P-12Teacher Contracts
S.B. 736 - Teacher Contracts
Repeals existing language in section 1012.33 regarding procedures after employee performance deficiencies have been identified. Provides that effective July 2011, each new district employee hired as instructional personnel must be awarded a probationary contra...

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IDSigned into law 03/2011P-12Renewable Contracts
S.B. 1108
Section 33-515 states that it is the intent of the legislature that after January 31, 2011, no new employment contract between a school district and a certificated employee shall result in the vesting of tenure, continued expectations of employment or property...

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WYSigned into law 03/2011P-12Tenure
S. F. 146--Tenure
Requires districts to evaluate teacher performance, based in part upon standards set by State Board of Education.
--Initial contract teachers evaluated twice annually
--Continuing contract teachers evaluated annually
--Requires each District Superintendent to ...

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+ 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