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
OHSigned into law 12/2011P-12College-Preparatory Boarding School Program
H.B. 157 - College-Preparatory Boarding School Program
Repeals provision requiring any board of trustees of a college-preparatory boarding school to secure at least $20 million dollars of private money to satisfy its share of facilities acquisition to be eligible for state assistance (under new revisions, some boa...

More...
TXAdopted 12/2011P-12New Instructional Facility Allotment
19 TAC 61.1034
Modifies provisions related to the allotment for new instructional facilities to reflect statutory changes, implement a recent TEA policy decision to allow open-enrollment charter schools to apply for the allotment, amend the application process, and establish...

More...
CASigned into law 10/2011P-12School Facilities Funding: High-Performance Schools
S.B. 128
Makes specified new construction and modernization projects eligible for an incentive grant if the project meets the criteria prescribed in the 2006 Bond Act for incentive grants to high-performance schools. Provides that by allowing an existing appropriation ...

More...
ILSigned into law 08/2011P-12School Action and Facility Master Planning
S.B. 630
Very similar to S.B. 620 (http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/97/SB/PDF/09700SB0620lv.pdf). Differs from S.B. 620 in definition of "school action" by excluding from definition reassignment due to a new
school with an attendance area boundary and that is made to re...

More...
ILSigned into law 08/2011P-12School Action and Facility Master Planning for Chicago Public Schools
S.B. 620
Creates new sections 105 ILCS 5/34-200 through -235 regarding school action and facility master planning for Chicago Public Schools. By December 31, 2011, directs the district to publish space utilization standards on the district's Web site. Requires that the...

More...
MESigned into law 07/2011P-12Alternative Delivery Methods for School Construction Projects
H.P. 413
Authorizes the approval of additional school construction projects by school districts seeking to use an alternative delivery method for a school construction project. Requires such a project to be locally funded, have a minimum total project cost of $2,500,00...

More...
ORSigned into law 07/2011Postsec.Capitol Construction
H.B. 5006
Limits for six-year period beginning July 1, 2011, payment of expenses from other funds collected or received by various state agencies for capital construction. Limits expenditures from federal funds collected or received by Oregon Department of Aviation and ...

More...
HISigned into law 06/2011P-12School Repair and Maintenance
S.B. 1383
Permits the Hawaii 3R's School Repair and Maintenance Fund to receive moneys transferred to it from the School-level Minor Repairs and Maintenance Special Fund. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2011/Bills/SB1383_CD1_.HTM...

More...
MESigned into law 06/2011P-12Amends Laws Governing Competitive Bidding for School Construction and Repair
S.P. 110
Changes the minimum amount of the cost of school construction, major alteration or repair requiring a competitive bid from over $100,000 to over $250,000. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC352.asp...

More...
NVSigned into law 06/2011P-12Textbooks and Instructional Materials
A.B. 493
Extends the prospective expiration of the temporary waiver from certain requirements governing expenditures of money for textbooks, instructional supplies, instructional software and instructional hardware by school districts, charter schools and university sc...

More...
OHSigned into law 06/2011P-12
Postsec.
K-12 and Higher Education Construction Contracts
H.B. 153 - K-12 and Higher Education Construction Contracts
Sections 9.33 to 9.335: Makes certain provisions related to a public authority's contracting for construction (that are already applicable to school districts) applicable to any state institution of higher education. Defines "construction manager at risk" as a...

More...
OHSigned into law 06/2011P-12
Postsec.
Reporting on Costs of Capital Facilities Projects
H.B. 153 - Reporting on Costs of Capital Facilities Projects
Directs public entities (including a state agency and a state institution of higher education), upon completion of a capital facilities project funded wholly or partially through state funds, to submit a report about the project to the director of administrati...

More...
OHSigned into law 06/2011P-12Unit Prices Established in Contract
H.B. 153 - Unit Prices Established in Contract
Permits a regional council to enter into a contract that establishes a unit price for materials, labor, services, overhead, profit, and associated expenses for the repair, enlargement, improvement or demolition of a building or structure if the contract is awa...

More...
OHSigned into law 06/2011P-12Lease or Sale of Unused School Facilities
H.B. 153 - Lease or Sale of Unused School Facilities
Repeals certain language related to unused school property. Adds new language requiring districts to offer unused school facilities (that have not been used for two years) for lease or sale to the governing authorities of community schools located in the schoo...

More...
OHSigned into law 06/2011P-12
Postsec.
Renting Facilities to Postsecondary Institutions
H.B. 153 - Renting Facilities to Postsecondary Institutions
Permits a district board to rent or lease facilities under its control to any public or nonpublic institution of higher education for the institution's use in providing evening and summer classes. Page 160 of 1000: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText12...

More...
OHSigned into law 06/2011P-12Relocation or Replacement of Classroom Facilities
H.B. 153 - Relocation or Replacement of Classroom Facilities
Permits the Ohio school facilities commission to provide assistance under the exceptional needs school facilities program to any school district for the purpose of the relocation or replacement of classroom facilities required as a result of any contamination ...

More...
OHSigned into law 06/2011P-12Facilities
H.B. 153 - Facilities
Specifies actions after which a district capital project must be considered complete and the Ohio school facilities commission must issue a certificate of completion to the district board of education. Permits the commission to issue a certificate of completio...

More...
OHSigned into law 06/2011P-12College-Preparatory Boarding Schools
H.B. 153 - College-Preparatory Boarding Schools
Creates chapter 3318 regarding college preparatory boarding schools. Defines an eligible student as a student who is entitled to attend school in a participating school district; is at risk of academic failure; is from a family whose income is below 200% of th...

More...
OHSigned into law 06/2011P-12Funding for STEM School Facilities
H.B. 153 - Funding for STEM School Facilities
Permits the Ohio school facilities commission, upon receipt of a written proposal by the governing body of a STEM school, to provide funding to assist the STEM school in acquiring classroom facilities. Requires the STEM school to pledge at least a matching amo...

More...
ALTo governor 05/2011P-12Funding to Repair Tornado-Damaged Schools
H.J.R. 460
Legislature resolved to work with governor and state superintendent of education to provide funding for tornado-damaged schools....

More...
NEVetoed 05/2011P-12Financing Capital Projects
L.B. 283
From fiscal note: LB 283 expands an existing authority for school districts to levy property taxes and issue bonds for capital projects to include energy efficiency projects. Schools are limited to a levy of 5.2 cents for certain capital projects which will in...

More...
AZSigned into law 04/2011P-12Finance
H.B. 2301
Removes the statutory restrictions on the use of Soft Capitol Allocation (SCA) monies. Allows, as session law, 50% of unemnumbered ECA credits to be spent for short term capital items such as technology, textbooks, library resources, instructional aids, pupil ...

More...
CASigned into law 03/2011P-12Funding School Facility Maintenance
S.B. 70 - Sec. 17070.766
Extends through the 2014-15 fiscal year the temporary provision that reduces the deposit that districts applying for ongoing and major school maintenance must make from 3% to 1% of the district's total general fund expenditures. Continues through the 2014-15 f...

More...
KYSigned into law 03/2011P-12Funds for Districts wtih Structurally Unsound School Buildings
H.B. 428
Directs the department of education to determine urgent and critical construction needs. Directs the department to provide a funding allocation to a district for a school that is closed to the public because it is structurally unsound or is otherwise uninhabit...

More...
VASigned into law 03/2011P-12
Postsec.
Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002
S.B. 1127
Provides that whenever a responsible public entity rejects a proposal initiated by a private entity that purports to develop specific cost savings, the public entity shall specify the basis for the rejection.
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+ful...

More...
+ 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
+ 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