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From the ECS State Policy Database 2012 State Policies / Activities

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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 2012. 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 Drive 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--High Stakes/Competency At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education Attendance Attendance--Compulsory Attendance--Statutory Ages (Upper and Lower) Attendance--Truancy Background Checks Bilingual/ESL Career/Technical Education Career/Technical Education--Career Academies/Apprenticeship Cheating Choice of Schools Choice of Schools--Charter Schools 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--Magnet or Specialized Schools Choice of Schools--Tax Credits Choice of Schools--Vouchers Civic Education Civic Education--Character Education Civic Education--Curriculum/Standards Civic Education--Pledge of Allegiance Class Size Counseling/Guidance Curriculum Curriculum--Arts Education Curriculum--Drivers Education Curriculum--Excusal Curriculum--Family Living Education Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed. Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education Curriculum--Language Arts Curriculum--Mathematics Curriculum--Multicultural Curriculum--Physical Education Curriculum--Science Curriculum--Sex Education Curriculum--Social Studies/History Data-Driven Improvement Economic/Workforce Development Equity Finance Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost Finance--Bonds Finance--District Finance--Equity Finance--Facilities Finance--Federal Finance--Funding Formulas Finance--Local Foundations/Funds Finance--Lotteries 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--Regional Entities Governance--School Boards Governance--School Boards--Training Governance--Site-Based Management Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies Health Health--Child Abuse 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 CA Signed into law 08/2012 P-12 Independent Study A.B. 1987 Extends educational opportunities that may be offered through independent study to include leadership opportunities that support and strengthen student achievement. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_1951-2000/ab_1987_bill_20120817_chaptered.pdf... More... LA Adopted 07/2012 P-12 AP Courses for High School Graduation Credit LAC 28:CXV.2318 and 2325 From July 2012 Louisiana Register: Revises LAC 28:CXV §2318, "The College and Career Diploma" and §2325, "Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate." These revisions add some Advanced Placement (AP) courses to the list of courses that can be taken for... More... NC Signed into law 07/2012 P-12 Graduation Requirement - CPR H.B. 837 Makes the successful completion of instruction in CPR a high school graduation requirement by the 2014-2015 school year. Requires schools to maintain documentation in an electronic database that students have successfully completed CPR instruction to meet Hea... More... NY Signed into law 07/2012 P-12 State Seal of Biliteracy A.B. 10292 Establishes purposes of the state seal of biliteracy. Confers a state seal of biliteracy (district participation is voluntary) to high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more la... More... HI Signed into law 06/2012 P-12 Veterans High School Diploma S.B. 2540 - Veterans High School Diploma Effective 6/30/2015, repeals provision to award a high school diploma to veterans who did not receive a diploma after being conscripted into active service in the U.S. armed services. Page 53 of 83 (section 302A-431.9) http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2012... More... LA To governor 06/2012 P-12 Review of State Graduation Requirement Policies H.C.R. 201 Urges and requests the state board of elementary and secondary education to review its policies relative to graduation requirements, particularly as they pertain to core curricula and diploma paths, and to submit a written report of its findings and recommenda... More... PA Passed 06/2012 P-12 Postsecondary Degree Satisfies Requirement for High School Diploma H.R. 660 Encourages the Governor to request that the Independent Regulatory Review Commission and all Commonwealth agencies with guidelines, regulations, licenses, certifications or criteria that require a high school diploma deem a postsecondary degree from an accredi... More... GA Signed into law 05/2012 P-12 Demonstration of Subject Area Competency H.B. 713 - Demonstration of Subject Area Competency Section 5: Delays until 2013-14 school year deadline by which the state board, in consultation with the board of regents of the University System of Georgia and the state board of the Technical College System of Georgia, must adopt policies and guidelines for ... More... GA Signed into law 05/2012 P-12 Online Learning S.B. 289 - Online Learning Directs the state board to establish rules and regulations to maximize the number of students, beginning with students entering ninth grade in the 2014-2015 school year (Class of 2018), who complete at least one course containing online learning through (1) an... More... IA Signed into law 05/2012 P-12 Competency-Based Instruction S.F. 2284 - Division I Permits high school credit to be awarded to students that demonstrate competency in the subject areas required to be offered by accredited schools and allows students to receive credit on a performance basis through the administration of an assessment. Creates... More... LA Signed into law 05/2012 P-12 Distinction for Community Service Diploma Endorsement H.B. 1194 Authorizes the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a diploma endorsement program for the performance of community service by high school students. Endorsement would apply to high school students who perform a certain number of hours of... More... LA Passed 05/2012 P-12 Granting a High School Diploma to Adult Education Program Completers H.C.R. 95 Urges and requests the board of supervisors of community and technical colleges and the state board of elementary and secondary education jointly to study the feasibility of granting a Louisiana high school diploma to successful completers of adult education p... More... LA Adopted 05/2012 P-12 Louisiana Seat Time Waiver LAC 28:CXV.907 and 1103 Amends §907, "Secondary Class Times and Carnegie Credit," and §1103, "Compulsory Attendance" to accommodate the newly developed Louisiana Seat Time Waiver (LSTW). §907 permits districts to submit applications to the department of education for a waiver of the ... More... TN Signed into law 05/2012 P-12 Online Courses, Virtual Schools H.B. 3062 Requires virtual schools to maintain teacher-pupil ratios set by the state board of education and to provide the same length of time for learning opportunities as required for other schools, but allow a student to move at the student's own pace. Provides stude... More... TX Adopted 05/2012 P-12 High School Graduation Requirements 19 TAC 74.1, 3, 71, 72, 73, 74 Updates the graduation requirements to align with recently passed legislation, allows additional courses to satisfy certain graduation requirements, and provides additional clarification regarding requirements. Sections 74.1 and 74.71 adopted as published in t... More... VA Signed into law 05/2012 P-12 Graduation Requirements; Standard and Advanced Studies Diplomas H.B. 1061 Directs the Board of Education to modify the credits necessary for a student to earn a standard or an advanced studies diploma. The advanced studies diploma shall be the recommended diploma for students pursuing baccalaureate study. The standard diploma shall ... More... FL Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Early Graduation H.B. 7059 - Early Graduation Defines "early graduation." Establishes provisions to allow a student to graduate high school in fewer than 8 semesters while completing 24 credits. Requires local boards to adopt a policy that allows a high school student to graduate early. Requires student a... More... FL Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Online Course for High School Graduation H.B. 7063 - Online Course for High School Graduation Prohibits a school from requiring a student to complete the online course requirement for high school graduation outside the school day or in addition to a student's courses for a given semester. Specifies that this requirement does not apply to a student with... More... KY Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Alternative High School Diploma for Students with Disabilities S.B. 43 Directs the state board to promulgate administrative regulations for an alternative high school diploma for students with disabilities completing a modified curriculum and an individualized course of study. Amends KRS 158.140 to require local boards to award t... More... MN Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Graduation Requirements - Science H.F. 2949 Permits a course for chemistry, physics or CTE (career technical education) course to integrate chemistry, physics, biology standards, or a combination of such standards. Article 1, Sec. 5, Subd. 2 https://www.revisor.mn.gov/data/revisor/law/2012/0/2012-239.pd... More... MN Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Postsec. Early Graduation Scholarship Provisions H.F. 2949 Defines "eligible student" for purposes the early graduation scholarship program. Clarifies the definition of "quarter" for purposes of computing early graduation scholarship amounts. Requires the early graduation scholarship application to be received at the ... More... MN Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Early Graduation Military Service Award Program H.F. 2949 Clarifies eligibility for the early graduation military service award program. Establishes a deadline for submission of application and request for payment for early graduation military service award. Clarifies that once the original amount of the award has be... More... MS Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Academic Credit for National Guard Basic Training Camp H.B. 784 Authorizes school boards to allow course credit to high school students who are also members of the national guard, and who complete basic training camp at the end of their junior year and before the start of their senior year. Authorizes the school district t... More... OK Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 High School Tests H.B. 2970 Adds provisions requiring the state board to adopt rules establishing an appeal process for students who have been denied a standard diploma by the school district in which the student is or was enrolled for failing to meet the requirements for graduation esta... More... TN Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Special Ed Diplomas S.B. 2900 Requires a special education diploma be awarded to students who have satisfactorily completed an IEP, but who have not passed the proficiency tests required for graduation with a regular diploma. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB2900.pdf... More... AZ Signed into law 03/2012 P-12 Alternative High School Diploma S.B. 1254 Adds an additional pathway for students eligible for a Grand Canyon Diploma (allows students who perform at a higher academic level than currently required to graduate to pursue one of several options, including early graduation), whereby the student, if accep... More... AZ Signed into law 03/2012 P-12 Competency-Based Pathways S.B. 1255 Directs the State Board of Education to adopt rules to define competency-based educatational pathways for college and career readiness. Establishes competency-based college-ready educational pathways for students eligible for a high school diploma through thei... More... OH Signed into law 03/2012 P-12 American History and American Government S.B. 165 Directs the state board to incorporate into the grades 4-12 social studies standards content regarding the Declaration of Independence, the Northwest Ordinance, the U.S. Constitution and its amendments, with emphasis on the Bill of Rights, and the Ohio Constit... More... TN Signed into law 03/2012 P-12 Middle Schools Teaching High School Courses H.B. 2653 Provides that schools teaching courses in grades seven or eight that are also taught in any grade nine through twelve and which count toward high school graduation shall be classifed as secondary schools. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB2653.pdf... More... UT Signed into law 03/2012 P-12 Financial Literacy Test-Out Option H.B. 156 - Financial Literacy Test-Out Option Directs the state board to develop a test-out option from the general financial literacy component of the grades 9-12 curriculum [students must complete .5 unit General Financial Literacy to graduate from high school]. Page 6 of 9: http://le.utah.gov/~2012/bil... More... WI Signed into law 03/2012 P-12 Technical Education High School Diploma S.B. 335 Act 156 (amends 115.787) Requires that an individualized education program that indicates a goal of a technical education high school diploma should specify the course of study that the pupil must take to attain that goal. Adds a new section: 118.33 (1) (g) 1... More... IN Adopted 01/2012 P-12 Minimum Credits, Core 40 Diploma, Core 40 Diploma with Academic Honors, Core 40 Diploma with Technical Honors 511 IAC 6-7.1-1, 4, 5, 6, 7 Defines "college and career pathway", "quantitative reasoning" course, "priority course list" (for purposes of dual credit), and "dual credit courses". Requires students completing the minimum high school program to earn two credits (1 Carnegie unit) in either... More... Instructional Approaches 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--Preparation Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Professional Development Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Tenure Mentoring/Tutoring Middle School Minority/Diversity Issues Minority/Diversity Issues--American Indian / Alaska Native / Native Hawaiian No Child Left Behind No Child Left Behind--Choice/Transfer No Child Left Behind--Consequences for Schools No Child Left Behind--Reauthorization Issues/Waivers 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 Data Systems P-3 Early Intervention (0-3) P-3 Ensuring Quality P-3 Family Involvement 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 Teaching Quality/Professional Development Parent/Family Parent/Family--Parent Rights Partnerships--University/School Postsecondary Postsecondary Accountability Postsecondary Accountability--Accreditation Postsecondary Accountability--Licensing/Program Review and Approval 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--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--Private/Independent Postsecondary Online Instruction Postsecondary Participation Postsecondary Participation--Access Postsecondary Participation--Enrollments (Statistics) Postsecondary Participation--Outreach Postsecondary Students Postsecondary Students--Adults Postsecondary Students--Disabled Postsecondary Students--Foster Youth Postsecondary Students--Graduate/Professional Postsecondary Students--Military Postsecondary Success Postsecondary Success--Completion Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation Postsecondary Success--Retention/Persistence Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation Private Schools Privatization--Education Management Agencies (EMOs) Proficiency-Based Approaches Promotion/Retention Purposes of Public Education Reading/Literacy Religion Religion--Prayer/Meditation Religion--Scientific Creationism (Evolution) 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--Year School Safety School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution 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--Facilities School/District Structure/Operations--Food Service School/District Structure/Operations--Org. (K-3/K-8 etc.) School/District Structure/Operations--Personnel (Non-Teaching) School/District Structure/Operations--Shared Services 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--Migrant Education Special Populations--Military Standards Standards--Common Core State Standards State Longitudinal Data Systems State Policymaking State Policymaking--Ballot Questions State Policymaking--Constitutional Clauses State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions STEM Student Achievement Student Achievement--Closing the Achievement Gap Student Surveys Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities Students--Employment Students--K-12 Exchange Students 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 Contracts (Not Tenure) Teaching Quality--Teacher Rights Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining Technology Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware Technology--Equitable Access Technology--Funding Issues Technology--Internet Safety Technology--Teacher/Faculty Training Textbooks and Open Source Urban