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
+ 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
CASigned into law 09/2012Postsec.From bill summary: Requires the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, the Trustees of the California State University, and the Student Aid Commission, including a specified auxiliary organization, and requests the Regents of the University of California to provide for live video transmissions and to archive and post the video and audio transmissions on the entity's website for at least 12 months and within 48 hours following the initial transmission. Removes over-the-air transmissions from the list of transmissions that can be accessed through a television. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_1701-1750/ab_1723_bill_20120926_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.B. 1723
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

CASigned into law 09/2012Community CollegeFrom bill summary: Makes legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Los Angeles Community College District. Commencing with the 2013 election, authorizes
the governing board of the Los Angeles Community College District to adopt a resolution by majority vote to enact an alternative method by which members of the governing board may be elected at large and by individual seat number. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_2551-2600/ab_2572_bill_20120929_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.B. 2572
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

CASigned into law 09/2012Postsec.Encourages the recruitment and selection process for the next Chancellor of the California State University to be done in a publicly inclusive manner. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_0151-0200/acr_164_bill_20120918_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.C.R. 164
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

ILSigned into law 08/2012Community CollegeProvides that the provisions of the Procurement of Domestic Products Act (http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2622&ChapterID=7) apply to the Public Community College Act to the extent practicable, provided that the Procurement of Domestic Products Act must not be applied to the Public Community College Act in a manner inconsistent with the requirements of the Public Community College Act. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/97/PDF/097-1105.pdf
Title: S.B. 2929
Source: www.ilga.gov

ILSigned into law 08/2012P-12
Postsec.
Establishes the Financial Reporting Standards Board Act. Includes in definition of "agencies" all departments, officers, commissions, boards, authorities, institutions, universities, foundations, and bodies politic and corporate of the state required to submit financial reporting information to the office of the auditor general, the office of the comptroller, or the federal government. Creates the Financial Reporting Standards Board to assist the state in improving the timeliness, quality, and processing of financial reporting for the state. Includes among the powers of the board (1) the establishment of minimum qualifications, training and continuing education requirements, and best practice guidelines for state agency representatives ("GAAP coordinators") responsible for the submission of required documentation necessary for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, as well as providing assistance during the GAAP cycle, (2) consulting with other states and private businesses that have successfully modernized and streamlined their financial reporting systems, and (3) participating in the development of a statewide GAAP-compliant financial reporting system. Directs each state agency to submit an annual audit of its GAAP and financial statement process for the board's review. Establishes responsibilities of the comptroller's division of financial reporting in the GAAP process. Repeals these provisions effective June 30, 2016. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/97/PDF/097-1055.pdf
Title: S.B. 3794
Source: www.ilga.gov

ILSigned into law 07/2012Postsec.Limits permissible charges for use of an external search firm at four-year public postsecondary institutions to (1) the hiring of the president of the university or (ii) in the case of when the president of the
university and the board of trustees demonstrate a justifiable need for guidance from an individual or firm with specific expertise in the field of the hiring. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/97/HB/PDF/09700HB5914lv.pdf
Title: H.B. 5914
Source: www.ilga.gov

ALSigned into law 05/2012Postsec.Increases the minimum amount of contracts at higher education institutions subject to the competitive bidding process from $7,500 to $15,000.
Title: S.B. 14
Source: Westlaw/StateNet

FLSigned into law 04/2012Postsec.From final bill analysis: Maintains the salary limitation on the amount of state funds that may be used for salaries of Florida College System and State University presidents and administrative employees in Fiscal Year 2012-2013. Bill text (pages 68-71 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 - Salary Limitations for Presidents and Administrative Employees
Source: myfloridahouse.gov

FLSigned into law 04/2012Postsec.From final bill analysis: Revises severance pay language for colleges and universities to conform to s. 215.425, F.S., providing that on or after July 1, 2011, a unit of government that enters into a contract or employment agreement, or renewal or renegotiation of an existing contract or employment agreement, that contains a provision for severance pay with an officer, agent, employee, or contractor must include the following provisions in the contract: (1) A requirement that severance pay provided may not exceed an amount greater than 20 weeks of compensation; and (2) A prohibition of provision of severance pay when the officer, agent, employee, or contractor has been fired for misconduct, as defined in statute. Bill text (pages 9-10 of 72): http://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h5201er.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=5201&Session=2012
Title: H.B. 5201 - Severance Pay at Colleges and Universities
Source: myfloridahouse.gov

FLAdopted 04/2012Postsec.Proposes amendment to s. 7, Art. IX of State Constitution to revise selection process for student member of Board of Governors of State University System. From final bill analysis: If approved by 60 percent of the voters in the 2012 general election, the resolution will take effect on January 8, 2013.
Bill text: http://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h0931er.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0931&Session=2012
Final bill analysis: http://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=h0931z.KINS.DOCX&DocumentType=Analysis&BillNumber=0931&Session=2012
Title: H.J.R. 931
Source: myfloridahouse.gov

+ 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