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
+ 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
NYSigned into law 07/2012P-12Increases from 3 to 4 the number of inservice days that may be included in 180 days that school must be in session. Allows districts to schedule teacher conference (inservice) days during the last two weeks of August, subject to collective bargaining agreements; provides any such teacher conference days must be counted toward the 180 days school is in session. Prohibits such scheduling from altering a district's obligation to provide transportation to students in non-public K-12 schools or charter schools. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=%0D%0A&bn=S07718&term=&Summary=Y&Memo=Y&Text=Y
Title: S.B. 7718
Source: assembly.state.ny.us

CASigned into law 06/2012P-12From section 27 of bill summary: Provides that, if a district, county office of education, or charter school reduces the number of days of instruction pursuant to a specified provision for the 2012–13 or 2013–14 fiscal years, the minimum standard for full time for purposes of calculating disability, retirement, and death benefits under the Defined Benefit Program are reduced to the number of days of instruction provided by that district, county office of education, or charter school and the number of hours of instruction equal to the number of days of instruction times 6. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_1001-1050/sb_1016_bill_20120627_chaptered.pdf
Title: S.B. 1016 - Benefit Calculation When Instructional Days Reduced
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

CASigned into law 06/2012P-12From section 40 of bill summary: Provides that if the Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act of 2012 (Attorney General reference number 12-0009) is not approved by the voters at the November 6, 2012, statewide general election, or if the provisions of that act that modify personal income tax rates do not become operative due to a conflict with another initiative measure that is approved at the same election and receives a greater number of affirmative votes, commencing December 15, 2012, this bill, for the 2012–13 and 2013–14 school years, allows a district, county office of education, or charter school to provide an instructional year of not less than 160 days or the equivalent number of instructional minutes. Requires implementation of this reduction that is subject to collective bargaining to be achieved through the bargaining process. Provides this authority would become inoperative on July 1, 2015, and would be repealed on January 1, 2016. Provides that this bill, if that measure is not approved by the voters or does not become operative due to the conflict discussed above, for the 2012–13 fiscal year, reduces the amount of revenue limit funding received by each district, county office of education, and charter school by a combined total of $2,740,377,000 and requires the state superintendent to adjust the amount of categorical funding allocated to basic aid districts in the 2012–13 fiscal year to achieve the reduction in the amount of revenue limit funding. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_1001-1050/sb_1016_bill_20120627_chaptered.pdf
Title: S.B. 1016 - Potential Reduction of School Year to 160 Days
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

OHSigned into law 06/2012P-12Waives from calculation of full-time equivalency/minimum school calendar requirements for traditional public schools and community schools any hours or days that learning opportunities were not offered due to law enforcement emergencies.
Pages 159 and 173 of 592: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_SB_316_EN_Y.pdf
Title: S.B. 316 - Schools Not Open Due to Law Enforcement Emergencies
Source: www.legislature.state.oh.us

ALSigned into law 05/2012P-12From K-12 appropriations bill: Establishes legislative intent that local school systems be permitted to develop flexible school terms extending over the school year including late school start dates. School systems are encouraged to use late school dates to replace high cooling cost days in August with lower cost days later in the school year. Directs the state department of education to encourage and work with pilot school systems to determine the cost savings from a later start date.
Title: S.B. 318 - School Start Dates
Source:

ALSigned into law 05/2012P-12Creates the Flexible School Calendar Act of 2012. Permits the 180-day minimum school term requirement to be met through the hourly equivalent thereof, beginning with the 2012-13 school year and ending with the last day of the 3rd month of the 2013-14 school year. Requires the local school calendar to be annually established by the local board of education. Establishes limits on earliest by which the school year may start and the latest that the last day of instruction may be. Prohibits a local board from reducing the amount in any cell of any employee salary schedule based on these provisions or a future modification to its calendar or schedule. Requires salary allocations in all future Education Trust fund budgets to be based on the number of contact days allocated by the legislature, or the hourly equivalent thereof. Directs the legislative fiscal office to report, by the 10th legislative day of the 2014 session, on the impact of these provisions on state tax revenues, including state sales, use, and lodging tax revenues.
Title: H.B. 360
Source: Westlaw/StateNet

IASigned into law 05/2012P-12This section requires the director of the Department of Education to appoint members to a school instructional time task force. The task force is to review and submit findings and recommendations pertaining to school instructional time by October 15, 2012.
http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/linc/84/external/govbills/SF2284.pdf
Title: S.F. 2284 - Division X
Source: http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us

MSSigned into law 05/2012P-12Creates the school start date act, provides that no public elementary or secondary school under the jurisdiction of the state board of education shall begin a new academic school year of instruction on or after the fourth Monday in August, exempts schools for the blind and deaf, provides for the repeal of section 37-13-61, Mississippi code of 1972, which authorizes the local school board to fix the date for the opening and closing of the school term on July 1, 2014.
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2012/pdf/HB/0700-0799/HB0707SG.pdf
Title: H.B. 707
Source: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/

KYSigned into law 04/2012P-12For the 2011-12 school year, directs the commissioner of education to waive up to 10 instructional days for a district in a county in which a disaster has been declared. Permits a district in a county in which a disaster has been declared, when submitting the Superintendent's Annual Attendance Report, may substitute attendance data for school year 2010-2011 for attendance data for school year 2011-2012. Directs instructional staff in a county in which a disaster has been declared to make up any student instructional days waived by participating in instructional activities or professional development or by being assigned additional work responsibilities. Provides this Act applies retroactively to the disaster occurring on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, to Saturday, March 3, 2012. http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/12RS/HB255/bill.doc
Title: H.B. 255
Source: www.lrc.ky.gov

+ 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