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
ORSigned into law 07/2011P-12Requires virtual public charter school to have at least 95 percent of school's instructional hours taught by licensed teachers. Modifies notice that virtual public charter school must provide when student enrolls or withdraws from school. Requires specified separation between sponsoring school district board, virtual public charter school and third-party entity providing educational services to virtual public charter school. Provides that student does not need approval of school district where student is resident before student enrolls in virtual public charter school unless more than three percent of students from student's school district are enrolled in virtual public charter schools not sponsored by student's school district. Allows appeal to State Board of Education if student does not receive approval. Specifies provisions of public charter school law that may not be waived by State Board of Education. Declares emergency, effective August 2, 2011.
http://www.leg.state.or.us/11reg/measpdf/hb2300.dir/hb2301.en.pdf
Title: H.B. 2301
Source: http://www.leg.state.or.us

FLSigned into law 06/2011P-12Creates Digital Learning Now Act. Requires school districts to establish virtual instruction options. Authorizes establishment of virtual charter schools. Authorizes blended learning courses. Authorizes Florida Virtual School (FLVS) to provide full-time instruction to students in kindergarten through grade 12 and provides additional requirements for FLVS. Provides funding and accountability requirements. Requires high school students entering grade 9 in the 2011-12 school year to complete at least one online course within the 24 credit requirement for high school graduation. Redefines FTE student for purposes of virtual instruction. Requires the Department of Education (DOE) to issue a report identifying and explaining the best methods and strategies for increasing student access to digital learning. Requires the DOE to develop an evaluation method for providers of part-time virtual programs. Provides that all statewide end-of-course assessments be administered online by the 2014-15 school year. http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h7197er.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=7197&Session=2011
Title: H.B. 7197
Source: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov

OHSigned into law 06/2011P-12Clarifies that until January 2013, no Internet- or computer-based community school may operate unless the school was open for instruction as of May 1, 2005; provides exceptions. Adds that effective January 1, 2013, up to five new Internet- or computer-based community schools may open each year. Provides for a lottery if more than 5 operators notify the department that they have signed with a sponsor to open in the following year. By July 1, 2012, requires the director of the governor's office of 21st century education and the superintendent of public instruction to develop standards for the operation of Internet- or computer-based community schools. Requires the director to submit those standards to the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate for consideration of enactment by the general assembly. Directs each Internet- or computer-based to either comply with the general assembly-adopted standards for for the operation of Internet- or computer-based community schools, if those have been adopted by January 2013; if those have not been adopted by January 2013, each Internet- or computer-based community school must comply with the standards developed by the international association for K-12 online learning. Requires that each Internet- or computer-based school that initially opens on or after January 1, 2013 to comply with the applicable set of standards at the time it opens, and for each Internet- or computer-based school that initally opened before January 1, 2013 to comply with the appropriate standards by July 1, 2013. Page 181-183 and 233 of 1000: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_HB_153_EN_part2.pdf
Title: H.B. 153 - Internet- and Computer-Based Community Schools
Source: www.legislature.state.oh.us

OHSigned into law 06/2011P-12For purposes of start-up community schools, adds to definition of "challenged school district" any district ranked in the lowest 5% according to its performance index score. Defines "operator" as either an individual or organization that manages the daily operations of a community school pursuant to a contract between the operator and the school's governing authority, or a nonprofit organization that provides programmatic oversight and support to a community school under a contract with the school's governing authority and that retains the right to terminate its affiliation with the school if the school fails to meet the organization's quality standards. Adds start-up schools created while a district ranked in the lowest 5% according to the performance index to those schools that may continue once their district's status as low-performing no longer applies. Permits the governing authority of a start-up community school to provide by resolution for its members' compensation; provides, however, that no member of a start-up community school governing board may be compensated more than $425 per meeting, or more than $5,000 per year for all governing authorities on which the individual serves. Repeals provision requiring the sponsor of a community school to be located or have representatives within 50 miles of the community school, or in the case of an Internet- or computer-based school, within 50 miles of the school's base of operation. Requires a represenative of a community school sponsor to meet every month rather than every other month with either the governing authority or treasurer of the school; requires that enrollment records also be reviewed (previously only financial records were required to be reviewed).

Amends deadlines related to termination or nonrenewal of a community school's contract. Specifies procedures for appealing a contract termination to the state board of education. Specifies that any community school whose contract is terminated must close permanently at the end of the school year or on a date specified in the notification of termination. Specifies that a sponsor of a community school and the officers, directors, or employees of such a sponsor are immune from civil liability for any action authorized under chapter 3314 (community schools) or the contract entered into with the school.
Pages 187-192 and 204-206 of 1000: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_HB_153_EN_part2.pdf
Title: H.B. 153 - Community Schools (Miscellaneous Provisions)
Source: www.legislature.state.oh.us

OHSigned into law 06/2011P-12Provides that except as otherwise specified, beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, any student who completed the prior school year in an Internet- or computer-based community school must be considered to be enrolled in the same school in the subsequent school year until the student's enrollment has ceased as specified in statute. Directs the department to continue subtracting and paying amounts for the student
without interruption at the start of the subsequent school year. Specifies that if the student without a legitimate excuse fails to participate in the first 105 consecutive hours of learning opportunities offered the student in that subsequent school year, the student must be considered not to have re-enrolled for that school year and the department must recalculate the payments to the school for that school year to account for the fact that the student is not enrolled. Page 216 of 1000: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_HB_153_EN_part2.pdf
Title: H.B. 153 - Enrollment in, State Payments for Student in Cyber Charter
Source: www.legislature.state.oh.us

INSigned into law 05/2011P-12Provides that, beginning with the 2011-12 school year, a virtual charter school may apply for sponsorship with a statewide sponsor in accordance with the sponsor's guidelines. It specifies the amount that a virtual charter school is entitled to receive in state funding. Also provides for a New Charter School Startup Grant for charter schools that initially are established and begin enrolling eligible pupils after June 30, 2011. This grant is equal to one-third of the school's tuition support of the following school year. The grant is to be paid from the Charter School Facilities Assistance Fund. Changes the current virtual charter school formula from 80% of the statewide average basic tuition support to 85% of the state foundation amount times the virtual charter school's complexity index.
http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2011/HE/HE1001.1.html
Title: H.B. 1001--Charter Schools
Source: http://www.in.gov/

+ 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
+ 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