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
CASigned into law 09/2012P-12From bill summary: Authorizes the superintendent of public instruction to develop and implement a specified program of school quality review to complement the Academic Performance Index (API), if an appropriation for this purpose is made in the annual budget act. Requires the state superintendent to annually provide to local educational agencies and the public an explanation of the individual components of the API and their relative values, and prohibits an additional element from being incorporated into the API until at least one full school year after the state board's decision to include the element into the API. Requires the state superintendent to annually determine the accuracy of graduation rate data, and deletes the requirement that the state superintendent report annually to the legislature on graduation and dropout rates. Authorizes the state superintendent to incorporate into the API the rates at which pupils successfully promote from one grade to the next in middle school and high school and matriculate from middle school to high school, as well as pupil preparedness for postsecondary education and career. Deletes the requirement that the API be used to measure the progress of specified schools and to rank all public schools for the purpose of the High Achieving/Improving Schools Program.

Requires that results from certain standards-based achievement tests and the high school exit examination constitute no more than 60% of the value of the index for secondary schools, commencing with the baseline API calculation in 2016 (currently these test results constitute at least 60% of the value of the index). Requires the state superintendent, on or before October 1, 2013, to report to the legislature a method for increasing emphasis on pupil mastery of standards in science and social science through the system of public school accountability or by other means and an alternative method or methods, in place of decile rank, for determining eligibility, preferences, or priorities for any statutory program that uses decile rank as a determining factor.

Incorporates additional changes in Section 52052 of the Education Code, proposed by AB 1668 (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_1651-1700/ab_1668_bill_20120921_chaptered.pdf, chaptered 9/21/12), to be operative only if AB 1668 and this bill are both chaptered and become effective January 1, 2013, and this bill is chaptered last. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_1451-1500/sb_1458_bill_20120926_chaptered.pdf
Title: S.B. 1458
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

LAAdopted 09/2012P-12Provides that where retests on an assessment required for accountability are available, LEAs may request that School Performance Score (SPS) calculations include retest results through a waiver request to the state board for accountability purposes. In such waiver request, requires the LEA to demonstrate that it financed retests for all affected students and that it took corrective action as necessary to prevent a recurrence of the irregularity, including specific measures regarding any employee found to have willfully caused the irregularity. Page 61 of 153: http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/osr/reg/1209/1209.pdf
Title: LAC 28:CXI.312
Source: www.doa.louisiana.gov

LASigned into law 06/2012P-12Allows the state board to expend Louisiana Quality Education Support Fund monies to use peer-review consultants to review programs.
http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=812534
Title: S.B. 635
Source: www.legis.state.la.us

OKSigned into law 05/2012P-12Creates Commission for Education, Instruction Quality and Accountability combining the Oklahoma Commission on Teacher Prep with the Office of Accountability.  Authorizes commission to approve and accredit teacher education programs. Beginning July 1, 2013, the Commission is to perform the following duties:
1. Oversee implementation of the provisions of Enrolled House Bill No. 1017 of the 1st Extraordinary Session of the 42nd Oklahoma Legislature;

2. Implementation of the provisions of the Oklahoma Teacher Preparation Act as provided for in law;

3. Make recommendations to the Governor and Legislature on methods to achieve an aligned, seamless system from preschool through postsecondary education; and

4. Set performance levels and corresponding cut scores pursuant to the Oklahoma School Testing Program Act and as provided for in Section 1210.541 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

Beginning July 1, 2013, the Commission is to govern the operation of the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability, and beginning July 1, 2014, the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation is to be placed under the authority of the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability. The Commission is required to assume the following duties of the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation: a. approval and accreditation of teacher education programs and b. assessment of candidates for licensure and certification. Requires the Commission to include the State Board of Education in the process; review and assess approved, accredited and new programs of teacher education, and encourage studies and research designed to improve teacher education.
http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/2011-12bills/SB/SB1797_ENR.RTF

Title: S.B. 1797
Source: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us

IASigned into law 04/2012P-12Requires local boards, local or regional superintendents, directors of accredited nonpublic schools, etc. to report any disciplinary action for school employee misconduct to the board of educational examiners. Conduct to be reported includes the following: (a) Soliciting, encouraging, or consummating a romantic or otherwise inappropriate relationship with a student. (b) Falsifying student grades, test scores, or other official information or material. (c) Converting public property or funds to the personal use of the school employee.
http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&menu=false&ga=84&hbill=HF2383
Title: H.F. 2383
Source: http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us

MDSigned into law 04/2012P-12Requires that the county board include in its goals to improve student academic achievement a description of how it plans to ensure and measure academic proficiency of students in core academic subjects at various points during the elementary and secondary education of students.
Adds requirements that The State Board, the State Superintendent, each county board, and each public school must include in its program of education accountability for the operation and management of the public schools: (1) establish educational goals and objectives and survey current student achievement in science and social studies; (2) implement assessment programs in reading, language, math, science, and social studies that include written responses and specifies that the assessment program must be able to provide information needed to improve public schools, inform the public, and provide timely feedback to schools and teachers; (3) implement and administer middle-school and high-school assessments annually beginning in 2014-2015 school year that measure student's mastery of core academic standards; (4) determine if assessments are truly measuring students mastery of core academic standards following 2014-2015 school year and for those that do not adequately measure, replace with a state-specific assessment by the 2016-2017 school year.
Requires that the Department survey a statewide representative sample of public schools and public school teacher annually on the amount of instructional time spent on, the availability and use of instructional resource for, and the professional development available to social studies and science instruction, as well as, the number of certified and non-certified teachers teaching social studies and science. Results are to be published on Department's website.
http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/bills/sb/sb0293e.pdf
Title: S.B. 293
Source: mlis.state.md.us

MNSigned into law 04/2012P-12Repealed statute which created and funded the Independent Office of Educational Accountability, which advised the legislative education committees on the degree to which the statewide educational accountability and reporting system included a comprehensive assessment framework that measured school accountability for students for students achieving the goals described in the state's high school graduation rule.
Article 2, Sec. 21 https://www.revisor.mn.gov/data/revisor/law/2012/0/2012-239.pdf
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=120B.31
Title: H.F. 2949
Source: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/

AZSigned into law 03/2012P-12Amends the existing school achievement profile phase-out to limit the time frame to the remainder of the academic year.
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/50leg/2r/summary/h.sb1458_03-26-12_astransmittedtogovernor.pdf
Title: S.B. 1458
Source: azleg.gov

ORSigned into law 03/2012P-12Establishes and sets membership for the Task Force on Accountable Schools to develop a plan to improve accountability practices for schools and make recommendations.(sec. 22)
http://www.leg.state.or.us/12reg/measpdf/hb4000.dir/hb4014.en.pdf
Title: H.B. 4014
Source: leg.state.or.us

ORSigned into law 03/2012P-12
Postsec.
Defines "education entity" as a school district, an education service district, a community college district or community college service district, the Oregon University System or public university thereof, and the health professions and graduate science programs of the Oregon Health and Science University. Prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, directs the governing body of each education entity to enter into an achievement compact with Oregon Education Investment Board for the fiscal year. Directs the board to establish the terms for achievement compacts, but specifies terms that achievement compacts may include. Requires the governing body of each education entity to identify a target number and percentage of students for achievement of the outcomes (both aggregate and by student subgroup), measures of progress and goals specified in the achievement compact for the fiscal year. Permits the board to adopt a timeline and method for governing boards of education entities at the end of the fiscal year to report achievements made. Provides certain waivers for purposes of entering into achievement compacts.

Requires each school district and education service district to form an achievement compact advisory committee to develop an achievement compact and ensure the achievement compact is implemented. Establishes membership and duties of achievement compact advisory committees. Permits state associations representing educators, administrators and school districts and education service district board members to develop and recommend
to the Oregon Education Investment Board (1) collaborative models and resources, including professional development opportunities, that may be used by districts and achievement compact advisory committees for the achievement of student success, and (2) processes for collaboration in the development of achievement compacts for their institutions, including professional development opportunities, for the achievement of student success.

Repeals these provisions effective July 1, 2015.

Directs the Oregon Education Investment Board to work with the Quality Education Commission to identify best practices for school districts and the costs and benefits of the adoption of those best practices by school districts.

http://www.leg.state.or.us/12reg/measpdf/sb1500.dir/sb1581.en.pdf
Title: S.B. 1581
Source: leg.state.or.us

+ 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
+ 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