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
CASigned into law 10/2011P-12From bill summary: Contingent on the cooperation of the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, requires the state lands commission to enter into a memorandum of agreement by April 1, 2012, with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to facilitate land exchanges consolidating school land parcels into contiguous holdings that are suitable for renewable energy-related projects. Requires the commission, by January 1 of each year, to report to the legislature on the status of the memorandum of agreement and school land consolidation efforts for renewable energy-related projects. Requires that a portion of the revenues generated from renewable energy leases pursuant to provisions of the bill be made available to the commission, upon appropriation by the legislature, to cover the commission's costs attributable to the land exchange process. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_0951-1000/ab_982_bill_20111006_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.B. 982
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

NVSigned into law 06/2011P-12Urging Congress to enact legislation requiring the Secretary of the Interior to convey ownership of certain land to the State of Nevada to help fund education in Nevada.
http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/76th2011/Bills/SJR/SJR3_R1.pdf
Title: S.J.R. 3
Source: http://www.leg.state.nv

OKSigned into law 05/2011P-12The measure allows federal grant money applied for on behalf of a school district to be disbursed directly to an interlocal cooperative with the consent of the school districts in the cooperative.
http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20ENR/SB/SB275%20ENR.DOC
Title: S.B. 275
Source: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us

WASigned into law 05/2011P-12Allocates federal forest revenue to public schools based on resident students. Directs the definition of "resident student" to be based on rules adopted by the superintendent of public instruction which shall consider and address the impact of alternative learning experience students on federal forest funds distribution. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Law%202011/5239-S.SL.pdf
Title: S.B. 5239
Source: apps.leg.wa.gov

NCVetoed 04/2011P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Allows community colleges to opt out of participation in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program.
Govenor's Veto Message: http://www.governor.state.nc.us/NewsItems/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?newsItemID=1803
Bill text: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2011/Bills/House/HTML/H7v3.html
Title: H.B. 7
Source: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us; http://www.governor.state.nc.us

NESigned into law 03/2011P-12From the fiscal note: Repeals the section of statute requiring a student achievement coordinator at NDE. The
general fund savings from eliminating the position will be $103,420 in FY12 and FY13.
Increases teacher and administrator certificate fees from $55 to $70 with increases to provide for the expenses of 1.6 FTE at NDE who investigate alleged violations of professional ethics and practices by educators. Transfers funds remaining in the School District Reorganization Fund on July 1, 2011to the Education Innovation Fund. The balance of the reorganization fund was $702,178 on December 31, 2010. NDE anticipates there will be an additional reorganization that will be eligible for reimbursement from the fund in the current year in the amount of $425,915. So, the projected revenue that will be transferred to the Education Innovation Fund is estimated to be slightly in excess of $276,300, depending upon the interest earned the remainder of the fiscal year.
Education Innovation Fund: The bill changes the allocation of the Education Innovation Fund beginning in FY2011-12 through
FY2015-16. The fund is derived from lottery proceeds. Current law provides for the first $1 million of the fund to be used for the
Excellence in Teaching Act and the remainder to be allocated, after administrative expenses, for distance education equipment and
incentives provided to school districts and educational service units.

Provides for the accumulated balance and annual revenue of the Education Innovation Fund to be used to fund a couple of
existing state aid programs for high ability learners and early childhood education grants. The high ability learner program will be funded with lottery funds for five years and early childhood education grants will be shifted to this fund source for two years. The Center for Student Leadership and Extended Learning Act, a state funded program, is also switched to lottery funding for the next five years as is the multicultural education program. An integrated student information system will also be funded by the
Education Innovation Fund. Continues funding for distance education equipment, incentives and administration but instead of $1 million being set aside for this program each fiscal year, the bill provides that only the amount necessary to fund loans for students who received a loan in the prior fiscal year through the Attracting Excellence to Teaching component of the program will be funded.
http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/Current/PDF/Intro/LB333.pdf
Title: L.B. 333
Source: http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov

NESigned into law 02/2011P-12Fiscal Note summary: LB 18 amends the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act (TEEOSA) which is the formula used to distribute state aid to education. Increases the needs calculated for school systems from 100% to 102.23% in the current school year, FY2010-11. The amount of aid received by a school is the difference between calculated needs and formula resources. The formula is changed to increase state aid to include one-time allocations from the federal Education Jobs Fund in FY2010-11.
Federal funds expended pursuant to the bill are considered to be general fund operating expenditures for purposes of state aid. The
funds are to be allocated to schools on the last business day of April. School districts are not required to revise previously adopted
budgets for FY2010-11 unless expenditures are increased in FY2010-11 with the additional state aid received per LB 18.
The bill also changes the certification date for state aid for two fiscal years. The aid certification date for aid distributed in the current
fiscal year is changed to on or before March 1, 2011. The subsequent year's state aid for FY2011-12 is to be certified on or before July 1, 2011. The State Department of Education estimates the formula change will increase state aid to schools by $58,610,740 in FY2010-11. Increased expenditures by school districts result in increased state aid two years later per the state aid formula. However, any future general fund fiscal impact of the one-time allocation of federal funds is dependent upon whether increased funds are used by schools to spend at a higher level or are used to offset revenue shortfalls. This fiscal note assumes the majority of schools will be using the proceeds to offset decreases in other resources, so no future fiscal impact is projected.
http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/Current/PDF/Slip/LB18.pdf
Title: L.B. 18
Source: http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov

+ 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