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--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
+ 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
FLAdopted 10/2012P-12Standardizes screenings of children enrolled in the School Readiness Program. https://www.flrules.org/gateway/notice_Files.asp?ID=12219495
Title: FL ADC 6M-4.720
Source: www.flrules.org

MASigned into law 09/2012P-12Establishes an Early Literacy Expert Panel to develop recommendations to have all students in the commonwealth reading proficiently by the end of third grade. Outlines who will serve on the panel, and logistics including term limits and meeting criteria.

Requires the panel to advise the departments of early education and care, elementary and secondary education and higher education and the executive office of education on the refinement and implementation of plans for early literacy development on the following:
(1) comprehensive curricula on language and literacy development for children in early education and care programs and grades pre-kindergarten to third grade
(2) effective instructional practices to promote children's language and literacy development in early education and care programs and grades pre-kindergarten to third grade
(3) pre-service and in-service professional development and training for educators on language and literacy development, the administration of screenings and assessments, and the analysis of data gained through screenings and assessments to make instructional decisions
(4) developmentally appropriate screening and assessment to monitor and report on children's progress toward achieving benchmarks in language and literacy development across educational levels prior to third grade and measuring school readiness and children's reading proficiency from pre-kindergarten to third grade
(5) family partnership strategies for improving the quality, frequency, and efficacy of home-school interactions to support children's literacy and language development, as well as for building community capacity to support family literacy practices
(6) action steps to implement the recommendations contained in "Turning the Page: Refocusing Massachusetts for Reading Success" by Nonie Lesaux.

Requires the panel to advise on leveraging existing and new federal grant opportunities and private funding to support language and literacy acquisition for children from birth to third grade.

Requires an annual report on the activities of the expert panel in advising the departments and sets forth requirements for the content and availability of the report.

http://www.mass.gov/legis/journal/desktop/Current%20Agenda%202011/H4243.pdf
Title: H.B. 4243
Source: http://www.malegislature.gov/

ILAdopted 06/2012P-12From Illinois Register: This rulemaking resulted from the State Board of Education's application for funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) for a Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) grant to design and implement early learning and development systems that are comprehensive in scope and coordinated among the various state agencies charged with administering the programs. As set forth in RTT-ELC, the goals of the federal grant program were to increase the number and percentage of low-income and disadvantaged children enrolled in high-quality early learning programs; design and implement an integrated system of high-quality early learning programs and services; and ensure the use of certain nationally recommended assessments.

As a support to the RTT-ELC application, the State Board in October considered a rulemaking to require school districts to administer a kindergarten readiness survey, starting in school year 2014-15. Funding from the federal grant was for the design and implementation of a survey that would be used to gauge a student's progress during the school year. Unfortunately, Illinois was not successful in its effort to win a RTT-ELC
grant.

The lack of federal funding now available for the Illinois Kindergarten Individual Development Survey, or KIDS, initiative has resulted in staff's recommendation that the implementation date for districts to begin administering the kindergarten survey be delayed until the 2015-16 school year, provided state funding is available to pay the cost of the survey's administration. It is anticipated that the limited statewide implementation of the KIDS be conducted during two school years – 2013-14 and 2014-15 – rather than one, and the proposed rule is being modified to note the second year.

Additionally, the agency removed a requirement for school districts to participate either in a pilot of the survey or a limited statewide implementation, to align with a modification to 23 Ill. Adm. Code 235 (Early Childhood Block Grant), effective April 18, 2012.

Finally, the amendments also acknowledge that the Illinois Learning Standards, set forth in Section 1.Appendix D (State Goals for Learning) of the rules, apply to kindergarten. This Section lists the goals and standards for all students, including the common core standards that are for K-12 in English language arts and math. The remaining State-developed goals and standards are the same for kindergarten as they are for other grade levels, with the benchmarks (which are not stated in the rules) specific to the kindergarten level.
Page 250-276 of 403: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/index/register/register_volume36_issue22.pdf
Title: 23 IL ADC 1.420; 23 IL ADC 1.APP. D
Source: www.cyberdriveillinois.com

OHSigned into law 06/2012P-12Directs the state board and the early childhood advisory council, in consultation with the governor's office of 21st century education, to develop legislative recommendations regarding the state's policies on literacy education for birth through 3rd grade with the goal of increasing kindergarten readiness, K-3 reading proficiency, and increasing school success and college- and career-readiness for Ohio's children. Directs the state board and early childhood advisory council to submit these recommendations no later than February 28, 2013. Requires that the recommendations address (1) alignment of state's policies and resources for reading readiness and proficiency from birth through 3rd grade; (2) identification of birth through kindergarten entry strategies to reduce the kindergarten readiness gap, increase literacy success throughout the K-12 continuum, and increase college- and career-readiness; and (3) recommendations for implementing reading proficiency strategies. Page 395 of 401: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_SB_316_EN_N.pdf
Title: S.B. 316 - Birth through 3rd Grade Literacy Education
Source: www.legislature.state.oh.us

COSigned into law 05/2012P-12Requires each local education provider (LEP, i.e., school districts, Boards of Cooperative Educational Services or BOCES, charter schools) to provide to students in kindergarten through 3rd grade the instruction and evidence based interventions necessary to ensure to the greatest extent possible that early-grade students develop the reading skills necessary to enable them to succeed in later grades.

Beginning in 2012-13, requires LEPs to report to the department the number of early-grade students with significant reading deficiencies, based on the state board's definition. Beginning in the 2013-14 academic year, requires each LEP to measure reading competency for early-grade students using a combination of assessments approved by the department, which is required to create a list of approved instructional programs and professional development tools. The department will provide training, technical assistance, and coaching as necessary.

Creates a process for teachers, parents, and other personnel to create a Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) plan for when a student with significant reading deficiencies is identified. Provides the READ plan is part of the student's academic record until the student achieves reading competency.

Creates a process for parents and educators to determine if the student should advance to the next grade level in the next academic year. If the student is completing 3rd grade, the joint decision is subject to approval of the local superintendent, or his/her designee. If the student does not advance, the LEP must provide more rigorous instructional services to the student.

Creates the Early Literacy Grant Program in the department to provide funding to LEPs for literacy assessment, instructional support, and appropriate interventions for early-grade learners. Creates the Early Literacy Fund to support the implementation of the act and to provide a source of funds for the grant program. Also describes how funding will be calculated for the program and for per student support.
http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2012a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/BE80872E0CC93D2987257981007DC105?Open&file=1238_enr.pdf
Title: H.B. 1238
Source: http://www.leg.state.co.us

DCSigned into law 04/2012P-12Requires the chancellor to establish academic acheivement goals for three and four-year olds, and readiness goals and evaluations for three and four-year olds and for students in kindergarten through 3rd grade. The chancellor also must establish guidelines for academic achievement, develop and implement curricula, and ensure staff and administors are properly trained to carry out the curricula to meet the academic and readiness goals. The chancellor is responsible for tracking and monitoring progress on the goals; developing a plan for students who are not achieving the readiness goals; conducting evaluations of students' readiness; and submitting annual reports to the council and mayor.
http://dcclims1.dccouncil.us/images/00001/20120405113239.pdf
Title: Bill 19-648
Source: http://dcclims1.dccouncil.us

INSigned into law 03/2012P-12Requires the education roundtable to establish an advisory committee on early education, with members from around the state, to provide professional and technical assistance to the roundtable. http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/SE/SE0268.1.html
Title: S.B. 268
Source: www.in.gov

ORSigned into law 03/2012P-12Revises the purpose of the Early Learning Council to ensuring that children enter school ready to learn, determines responsibilities, membership and term limits and establishes the Early Learning Council Fund. Requires that the Early Learning Council implement and oversee a system that coordinates the delivery of early learning services to the communities of this state through the use of
community-based coordinators of early learning services. Requires that the Child Care Division provide to the Early Learning Council a report that summarizes the development and administration of child care resource and referral policies and practices under this section and the report must be provided at least twice a year and as otherwise required by the Early Learning Council. Funds appropriated pending passage of HB 4082.

Establishes the Youth Development Council for the purpose of assisting the board in overseeing a unified system that provides services to school-age children through youth 20 years of age in a manner that supports academic success, reduces criminal involvement and is integrated, measurable and accountable and determines responsibilities and membership. Funds Appropriated pending passage of HB 4082.

Abolishes the State Commission on Children and Families and its Account and transfers of duties, functions and powers to the Early Learning Council and the Youth Development Council. Abolishes the Juvenile Crime Prevention Advisory Committee and transfers duties, functions and powers to the Youth Development Council. Abolishes the Commission for Child Care and Account and trasfers duties, functions and powers to the Early Learning Council. Directs the Child Care Division of the Employment Department to initiate development of a tiered quality rating and improvement system for child care facilities. Establishes the Keep Kids Safe Registration Plate Account.

http://www.leg.state.or.us/12reg/measpdf/hb4100.dir/hb4165.en.pdf
Title: H.B. 4165
Source: leg.state.or.us

NMSigned into law 02/2012P-12Converts the "K-3 plus" pilot project to a program in the state education department to provide funding for additional educational time for disadvantaged students in kindergarten through third grade to improve numeracy, literacy and social skills. In evaluating applications for K-3 plus, the department shall grant priority to those schools with research-based, scientific reading strategies and programs.The legislation discusses funding for the program and dissemination of information about best practices.
http://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/12%20Regular/bills/house/HB0014.pdf
Title: H.B. 14
Source: http://www.nmlegis.gov

+ 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--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