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
+ 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
CASigned into law 09/2012Postsec.From bill summary: Requires students who are victims of trafficking, domestic violence, and other serious crimes who have been granted a specified status under federal law, to be exempt from paying nonresident tuition at the California State University and the California Community Colleges, and to be eligible to apply for, and participate in, all student financial aid programs and scholarships administered by a public postsecondary educational institution or the State of California, to the same extent as individuals who are admitted to the U.S. as refugees under specified federal law. Requests the University of California to adopt policies that are consistent with these provisions. Requires community college districts to waive the fees of those students to the same extent as individuals who are admitted to the U.S. as refugees under specified federal law. Provides that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs must be made pursuant to these statutory provisions. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_1851-1900/ab_1899_bill_20120924_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.B. 1899
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

CASigned into law 09/2012Community CollegeFrom bill summary: Requires that a student qualifying for a waiver from $46 per unit per semester student enrollment fee meet minimum academic and progress standards adopted by the California Community Colleges board of governors, and provides detailed requirements regarding the content, adoption, and application of those standards. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_1451-1500/sb_1456_bill_20120927_chaptered.pdf
Title: S.B. 1456 - Community College Student Fees
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov/

CASigned into law 09/2012Postsec.From bill summary: Establishes the Working Families Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Act as a part of the Donahoe Higher Education Act, and establishes various policies relating to student fees and student financial aid at the University of California and the California State University. Requires the regents and the trustees to comply with prescribed public notice and student consultation procedures prior to adopting an increase in mandatory systemwide fees, and prohibits them from adopting a mandatory systemwide fee increase before specified dates. Requires the regents and the trustees, by April 2, 2013, to develop a list of factors required to be taken into consideration when developing recommendations to adjust mandatory systemwide fees.

Commencing with the 2012–13 academic year, requires the trustees and the regents to provide annual reports on expenditures and financial aid to the legislature, and requires the Legislative Analyst's Office to annually review and report to the legislature its findings, conclusions, or recommendations regarding the implementation of policies implemented pursuant to the bill.

Because the provisions of the bill are added to the Donahoe Higher Education Act, they apply to the University of California only to the extent that the regents act by resolution to make them applicable. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_0951-1000/ab_970_bill_20120927_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.B. 970
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

CASigned into law 09/2012Postsec.From bill summary: Makes students who were stationed in California for more than one year as active duty military for more than one year immediately prior to being discharged from the military exempt from paying nonresident tuition. Revises that provision for purposes of the California Community Colleges by making a community college student who was a member of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in the state on active duty for more than one year immediately prior to being discharged from the military exempt from paying nonresident tuition for up to one year, to be used while he/she lives in this state and within two years of being discharged, if he/she files an affidavit with the community college stating that he.she intends to establish residency in California as soon as possible. Prohibits a former member of the U.S. military who received a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge from being eligible for an exemption. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_2451-2500/ab_2478_bill_20120920_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.B. 2478
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

CASigned into law 09/2012Postsec.From bill summary: Prohibits specified California State University campus-based mandatory fees from being reallocated without an affirmative vote of the majority of the members of either the student body or a specified campus fee advisory committee voting on the fee reallocation, unless the vote that established the fee authorizes an alternative or automatic reallocation mechanism for that fee. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_0951-1000/sb_960_bill_20120926_chaptered.pdf
Title: S.B. 960
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

CASigned into law 06/2012Community CollegeFrom section 50 of bill summary: Amends community college fee for nonresident students. Increases fee from $42 per course unit to a per-unit fee that is 2 times the amount of the resident fee until June 30, 2013, and 3 times the amount of the resident fee commencing on July 1, 2013. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_1001-1050/sb_1016_bill_20120627_chaptered.pdf
Title: S.B. 1016 - Community College Fees for Nonresident Students
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

LASigned into law 06/2012Postsec.Provides that, with the exception of tuition charged to a veteran under the federal Yellow Ribbon Program, a student who has served in the U.S. armed forces and physically resides in Louisiana for the duration of his enrollment in a state public institution of postsecondary education and meets at least one of specified other qualifications is entitled to resident classification for tuition purposes, regardless of the length of residency in the state. Directs the board of regents and each public postsecondary education management board to adopt rules and guidelines necessary to implement these provisions. http://legis.la.gov/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=811693
Title: H.B. 435
Source: legis.la.gov

ALSigned into law 05/2012Postsec.Classifies certain members of the Alabama National Guard as residents eligible for in-state tuition rates.
Title: H.B. 97
Source: Westlaw/StateNet

NJSigned into law 05/2012Postsec.Revises the NJ STARS II Program such that the program covers only tuition (no fees) in the amount of $1,250 per semester (previously up to $3,500 per semester) to four-year public or independent institutions (previously only public). Changes the percentage of the scholarship paid by the state to 100% from 50% (50% previously paid by the public institution of higher education).

Deletes the requirement that the amount of the scholarship awarded for the third academic year of study be based on the student's cumulative grade point average upon graduation from the county college. Deletes the requirement that the amount of the scholarship awarded for the fourth academic year of study be based on the student's grade point average during the third academic year of study.

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/AL12/8_.PDF
Title: S 874
Source: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/

OKSigned into law 05/2012Postsec.Requires that a student will be eligible for in-state tuition regardless of residency if the student is a dependent of a military or reserve service member on active duty and whose home of record is Oklahoma. The student will retain in-state status after the military person has been discharged or released for reasons other than dishonorable as long as the student stays continuously enrolled in a program at an institution in the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. Home of record is defined as the place where a person was living when he or she enlisted or was commissioned into the military or reenlisted in the military.
http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20ENR/hB/HB2689%20ENR.DOC
Title: H.B. 2689
Source: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us

FLSigned into law 04/2012Postsec.From final bill analysis: Increases the surcharge for excess credit hours. Bill text (pages 47-48 of 72): http://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h5201er.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=5201&Session=2012
Final bill analysis: http://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=h5201z.HEAS.DOCX&DocumentType=Analysis&BillNumber=5201&Session=2012
Title: H.B. 5201 - Surcharge for Excess Credit Hours
Source: myfloridahouse.gov

FLSigned into law 04/2012Postsec.From final bill analysis: Allows colleges to increase the fee up to 20% of tuition or the sum of tuition and out-of-state fees. Implements a new fee structure for universities allowing them to increase the Capital Improvement Trust Fund fee up to 10% of tuition or the sum of tuition and out-of-state fees as approved by a fee committee and the board of trustees. Permits the fee to increase no more than $2 per credit hour over the prior year for resident students. Also stipulates the fee may be used to fund any project or real property acquisition and any reduction must undergo review of the State Board of Administration, Division of Bond Finance. Bill text (primarily pages 41-44 of 72): http://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h5201er.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=5201&Session=2012
Final bill analysis (page 10 of 22): http://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=h5201z.HEAS.DOCX&DocumentType=Analysis&BillNumber=5201&Session=2012
Title: H.B. 5201 - Capital Improvement Fee
Source: myfloridahouse.gov

MDSigned into law 04/2012Community College
Postsec.
Adds a reason that any resident of the state who is out of the workforce by reason of total and permanent disability who enrolls at a community college in a class that has at least 10 regularly enrolled students can be exempt from payment of tuition: for continuing education instruction designed to lead to employment, including life skills instruction. http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/chapters_noln/Ch_83_hb0053T.pdf
Title: H.B. 53
Source: mlis.state.md.us

VASigned into law 04/2012Postsec.Provides that the board of visitors of every public institution of higher education shall establish policies requiring the registrar to place an administrative hold on student registration, records, and grades for a period of at least three months prior to referring a student account to collections for nonpayment.
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+HB703ER+pdf
Title: H.B. 703
Source: http://lis.virginia.gov/

NYSigned into law 03/2012Postsec.Part P: Permits each university center to increase non-resident undergraduate tuition rates each year by not more than 10% over the previous year's tuition, for a five-year period beginning with the semester following the semester in which the governor and the chancellor of the state university of New York approve the NY-SUNY 2020 proposal for such university center. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A09057&term=&Summary=Y&Memo=Y&Text=Y
Title: A.B. 9057 - NY-SUNY 2020
Source: assembly.state.ny.us

NYSigned into law 03/2012Community College
Postsec.
Part Q: Directs the state university board of trustees, in conjunction with the city university board of trustees, to examine the laws, regulations and policies regarding community college charges for non-resident students. Requires the examination to review the impacts of the current law mechanisms for covering the local sponsor's share of community college operating costs attributable to non-resident students. Identifies other issues the examination must address. Directs the boards to submit a joint report of their findings to specified legislative leaders by September 1, 2012.
Chapter 57: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A09057&term=&Summary=Y&Memo=Y&Text=Y
Title: A.B. 9057 - Study of Laws Regarding Community College Charges for Non-Resident Students
Source: assembly.state.ny.us

IDSigned into law 02/2012Postsec.Identifies as a resident for tuition purposes an Idaho resident who is a member of the U.S. armed forces but stationed outside the state..
http://legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2012/H0384.pdf
Title: H.B. 384
Source: http://legislature.idaho.gov

OHSigned into law 02/2012Postsec.Permits a student who completed the final year of high school at home and establishes domocile in Ohio to be recognized as an Ohio resident for tuition purposes.
Pages 4-6 of 9: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_HB_116_EN_N.pdf
Title: H.B. 116 - Determining Student Residency
Source: www.legislature.state.oh.us

SDSigned into law 02/2012Postsec.Exempts veterans from the twelve-month residency requirement for the purposes of tuition and fees. http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2012/Bills/SB80ENR.pdf
Title: S.B. 80
Source: http://legis.state.sd.us

+ 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