ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2012 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 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
+ 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--Credit Recovery
+ 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
CASigned into law 08/2012P-12Independent Study
A.B. 1987
Extends educational opportunities that may be offered through independent study to include leadership opportunities that support and strengt...

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LAAdopted 07/2012P-12AP 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 Internation...

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NCSigned into law 07/2012P-12Graduation 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 t...

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NYSigned into law 07/2012P-12State 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 schoo...

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HISigned into law 06/2012P-12Veterans 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...

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LATo governor 06/2012P-12Review 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, particu...

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PAPassed 06/2012P-12Postsecondary 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, regulati...

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GASigned into law 05/2012P-12Demonstration 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 S...

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GASigned into law 05/2012P-12Online 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 ...

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IASigned into law 05/2012P-12Competency-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 s...

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LASigned into law 05/2012P-12Distinction 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 s...

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LAPassed 05/2012P-12Granting 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 jo...

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LAAdopted 05/2012P-12Louisiana 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 Se...

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TNSigned into law 05/2012P-12Online 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 lea...

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TXAdopted 05/2012P-12High 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 requi...

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VASigned into law 05/2012P-12Graduation 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...

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FLSigned into law 04/2012P-12Early 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 ...

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FLSigned into law 04/2012P-12Online 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 i...

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KYSigned into law 04/2012P-12Alternative 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 compl...

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MNSigned into law 04/2012P-12Graduation 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 ...

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MNSigned into law 04/2012P-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 comp...

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MNSigned into law 04/2012P-12Early 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 requ...

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MSSigned into law 04/2012P-12Academic 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 t...

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OKSigned into law 04/2012P-12High 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...

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TNSigned into law 04/2012P-12Special 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 proficienc...

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AZSigned into law 03/2012P-12Alternative 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 cur...

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AZSigned into law 03/2012P-12Competency-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. Esta...

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OHSigned into law 03/2012P-12American 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 ...

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TNSigned into law 03/2012P-12Middle 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...

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UTSigned into law 03/2012P-12Financial 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 m...

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WISigned into law 03/2012P-12Technical 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 diplom...

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INAdopted 01/2012P-12Minimum 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 credi...

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+ High School--International Baccalaureate
+ Instructional Approaches
+ 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--Preparation
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Professional Development
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Tenure
+ 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--Completion--Completion Rates (Statistics)
+ 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)
+ 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 Supports--Counseling/Guidance
+ Student Supports--Mentoring/Tutoring
+ Student Supports--Remediation
+ 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