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
+ 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
CASigned into law 09/2012Postsec.Priority Registration for Veterans
A.B. 2133
From bill summary: Enacts the Combat to College Act of 2012, which authorizes a qualifying student to use the 4 academic years during which ...

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CASigned into law 09/2012Community CollegeAcademic Credit for Prior Military Experience
A.B. 2462
Directs the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, using common course descriptors and pertinent recommendations of the American C...

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CASigned into law 09/2012Postsec.Student Residency Requirements for Veterans.
A.B. 2478
From bill summary: Makes students who were stationed in California for more than one year as active duty military for more than one year imm...

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CASigned into law 09/2012P-12Credit for Veterans' Military Experience
A.C.R. 159
Encourages the California Community Colleges, the California State University, and the University of California to consider and adopt the Am...

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NVAdopted 07/2012Postsec.Establishing the Governor's Interagency Council on Veterans Affairs
Executive Order #2012-15
Establishes the Governor's Interagency Council on Veterans Affairs to help identify and prioritize the needs of Nevada veterans. The Council...

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LASigned into law 06/2012Postsec.Resident Tuition for Certain Veterans
H.B. 435
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...

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ALSigned into law 05/2012Postsec.National Guard Classified as Residents for Purposes of In-State Tuition
H.B. 97
Classifies certain members of the Alabama National Guard as residents eligible for in-state tuition rates....

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LASigned into law 05/2012Postsec.State Scholarship Program Eligibility for Students in Armed Forces
H.B. 945
Revises eligibility provisions for students who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces relative to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students. Pro...

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MASigned into law 05/2012Postsec.Academic Credit for Military Students
S.B. 2254
Requires public institution of higher education to develop a set of policies and procedures governing the evaluation of a student's military...

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OKSigned into law 05/2012Postsec.occupations; creating post-military service occupation, education and credentialing act. effective date.
S.B. 1863
Creates the Post-Military Service Occupation, Education and Credentialing Act. Authorizes the public and private institutions of higher educ...

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SCSigned into law 05/2012Postsec.Military Student Absence - Make-up Work
H.B. 3558
Requires all state institutions of higher education to allow students to complete assignments or take make-up examinations when an absence i...

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AKSigned into law 04/2012Postsec.Military Training/Postsecondary Credit
H.B. 282
Directs the department or applicable board to accept military education, training, and service credit for some or all of the qualifications ...

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FLSigned into law 04/2012Postsec.Postsecondary Course Registration for Veterans
H.B. 45
Requires each Florida College System institution and state university that offers priority course registration for a segment of the student ...

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FLSigned into law 04/2012Postsec.College Credit for Military Training and Education Courses
H.B. 347
Requires the board of governors and the state board of education to adopt regulations & rules, respectively, that enable U.S. Armed Forces s...

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FLSigned into law 04/2012P-12
Postsec.
Veterans
S.B. 922
Establishes August 7th of each year as "Purple Heart Day," and encourages schools to commemorate Purple Heart Day and honor those wounded or...

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HISigned into law 04/2012Postsec.College-Credit Equivalency Program
H.B. 2639
Amends the University of Hawaii college-credit equivalency program to provide for the awarding of credit for service in the U.S. armed force...

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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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PASigned into law 04/2012Community CollegeState Military College Legislative Appointment Initiative Program Act
S.B. 560
Establishes State Military College Legislative Appointment Initiative Program. Allows each member of the Assembly to establish a state milit...

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TNSigned into law 04/2012Postsec.Postsecondary - Veterans
H.B. 2961
Provides that a combat veteran shall be allowed to register for classes prior to the general student population at any public institution of...

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IDSigned into law 03/2012Postsec.Scholarships for Spouse and Child of Military Member
H.B. 386
SCHOLARSHIPS - Amends existing law relating to scholarships to revise provisions relating to eligibility of a scholarship of a spouse or chi...

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IDSigned into law 03/2012Postsec.Academic Credit for Military Training
S.B. 1299
Helps separating service members who leave the military with documented training and experience that can prepare them for civilian employmen...

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INSigned into law 03/2012Postsec.Credit for Military Education and Training.
H.B. 1116
Requires a state educational institution to adopt a policy to award educational credit to an individual who is enrolled in a state education...

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VASigned into law 03/2012Postsec.Higher Education; Course Credit for Military Experience
H.B. 195
Requires the governing boards of each public institution of higher education, in accordance with guidelines developed by the State Council o...

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VASigned into law 03/2012Postsec.Higher Education; Scheduling Active Duty Military
H.B. 548
Requires public institutions of higher education, in accordance with guidelines developed by the State Council of Higher Education for Virgi...

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SDSigned into law 02/2012Postsec.Veteran Residency Requirements
S.B. 80
Exempts veterans from the twelve-month residency requirement for the purposes of tuition and fees. http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2012/Bi...

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TXAdopted 02/2012Postsec.Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program
19 TAC 21.2244
Amends eligibility requirements for the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program to clarify that students who have completed the equivalent ...

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TXAdopted 02/2012Postsec.Exemption Program for Veterans and Their Dependents (The Hazlewood Act)
19 TAC 21.2099, 2100, 2102, 2107, 2108
Amends provisions of the Exemption Program for Veterans and their Dependents (The Hazlewood Act). From February 24, 2012 Texas Register (pag...

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+ 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