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
+ 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
ILSigned into law 08/2012P-12In a provision concerning the powers of a school board with regard to the awarding of contracts, deletes references to (1) work/contracts with private carriers for transportation of pupils, and (2) contracts for the transportation of pupils with special needs or disabilities. Provides that at no time may a cause of action lie against a school board for awarding a pupil transportation contract per standards set forth in statute unless the cause of action is based on fraudulent conduct. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/97/PDF/097-0951.pdf
Title: H.B. 4029
Source: www.ilga.gov

NYVetoed 08/2012P-12Allows board of education to provide transportation to school for a child living a lesser distance than two miles from school if the parent or guardian of the child is nonambulatory and unable to accompany the child to and from school. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A09267&term=&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y
Title: A.B. 9267
Source: assembly.state.ny.us

HISigned into law 07/2012P-12Permanently establishes within the department of transportation the safe routes to school program to, among other purposes, enhance traffic safety around schools, and enable and encourage children to walk and bicycle to school. Creates the position of safe routes to school program coordinator to serve as a central point of contact for the program. Directs a county designated office to provide safe routes to school funds for school-based and community-based workshops and infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects that will reduce vehicular traffic and congestion, encourage walking and bicycling, and promote health and safety around schools. Requires that Implementation of the county safe routes to school program take specified needs into consideration. Identifies components that county sate routes to school program grant proposals must address. Directs the director of transportation to develop streamlined program processes, and to annually report to the legislature on teh status and progress of the safe routes to school program before each legislative session. Establishes a safe routes to school program special fund. Assesses a surcharge of $25 for violations of speeding in a school zone and a $10 surcharge on various traffic violations and deposits these surcharges into the safe routes to school program special fund. Appropriates funds from the safe routes to school program special fund. Effective September 1, 2012. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2012/bills/HB2626_CD1_.pdf
Title: H.B. 2626
Source: www.capitol.hawaii.gov

NJSigned into law 07/2012P-12Requires school buses transporting certain disabled persons to use flashing lights and establishes penalties for drivers who fail to yield.
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/AL12/20_.PDF
Title: S 618
Source: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/

NYSigned into law 07/2012P-12Permits a district to authorize transportation for students attending a universal prekindergarten program in addition to transpotation funded by such program or transportation for students attending another district-sponsored or -run prekindergarten program, within district-established mileage limits. If provided, requires such transportation to be provided equally to all students in like circumstances residing in the district. Requires that the district bear the cost of such transportation (cost of such transportation not subject to state aid). http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=S07218&term=&Summary=Y&Memo=Y&Text=Y
Title: S.B. 7218
Source: assembly.state.ny.us

MOVetoed 06/2012P-12
This bill changes the laws regarding travel hardships for public school students by prohibiting any current or retired school administrator from appointment to a board of arbitration regarding an appeal regarding a change in a school district's boundaries in which the voters in one of the districts votes against the change and the voters of the other district vote for the change.

In the provisions regarding the Commissioner of Education within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reassigning a pupil because of a travel hardship, the bill authorizes the continuance of any assignment granted before August 28, 2012, until the student, and any sibling of the student, completes his or her course of study or the parent withdraws the student.

The bill establishes a process to make reassignment mandatory for any pupil or sibling of a pupil living in St. Albans, St. Elizabeth, or Gravois Mills, under conditions which include a minimum driving distance of at least 17 miles to the current school, the other school is at least seven miles closer, and the transfer will not cause the receiving district to exceed its class size restrictions. A reassignment must be made in the order that applications are received. If a parent withdraws a student after receiving a travel hardship, any subsequent hardship assignment is discretionary. A pupil must be eligible to apply for reassignment under the enrollment requirements established in the bill, and the sending district must pay an amount which cannot exceed the pro rata cost of instruction to the receiving district. http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills121/biltxt/truly/HB1789T.htm Veto letter:http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills121/rpt/HB1789vl.pdf
Title: H.B. 1789
Source: www.house.mo.gov

NYSigned into law 06/2012P-12Provides that in New York City, the requirement that a district provide transportation equally to all children in like circumstances does not apply to the use of existing contract bus service provided for 7th and 8th graders. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A08683&term=&Summary=Y&Memo=Y&Text=Y
Title: A.B. 8683
Source: assembly.state.ny.us

OHSigned into law 06/2012P-12Increases the number of miles a district board may authorize its motor vehicles for out-of-state travel from 240 to 1,000 miles per trip. http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_HB_437_EN_N.pdf
Title: H.B. 437
Source: www.legislature.state.oh.us

AKSigned into law 05/2012P-12Amends the amount of state funding provided to school districts for pupil transportation; Directs the department to adopt regulations that provide for oversight of and support to school districts in achieving a safe and cost-effective student transportation system. http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/27/Bills/SB0182C.PDF
Title: S.B. 182
Source: legis.state.ak.us

ALSigned into law 05/2012P-12Establishes the Lieutenant Dexter Holcomb Act. Prohibits a local board from hiring or entering into any agreement with any person for the purposes of operating a school bus transporting students unless the person is physically qualified to drive a school bus. Establishes requirements an individual must meet to be physically qualified to drive a school bus. Requires all new and currently employed school bus drivers to pass a physical examination, performed by a duly licensed physician, within three months after the effective date of this act, and at least once every two years thereafter. Requires local boards to document results of physical exams. Permits a driver holiding a valid Alabama school bus driver certificate to be grandfathered in under specified circumstances. Provides that failure to comply with these provisions will result in the driver losing his/her Alabama School Bus Driver Certificate issued by the state department of education.
Title: S.B. 191
Source: Westlaw/StateNet

ALSigned into law 05/2012P-12Changes the baseline date for the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Distributions provisions in the education code from January 1, 2010 to January 1, 2006. Increases the amount the Alabama Public School and College Authority is authorized to issue bonds for (for renovation or construction of school faciliities in BRAC-impacted areas) from $175 million to $208 million; extends purpose of such bonds to include school bus fleet renewal. Amends qualifications for recipient school districts. By January 2013, requires the authority to allocate, and the department to distribute such allocation of $33 million of bond principal for local boards to renew school bus fleets. Provides that local procedures for administering such school bus fleet funds are different from existing procedures for administration of BRAC school facility construction and renovation funds. Repeals a provision that in order to qualify for bond proceeds, a local school system may redirect an existing tax not currently dedicated to schools to qualify for bonds.
Title: H.B. 407
Source: Westlaw/StateNet

AZSigned into law 05/2012P-12Limits the window during which the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) can conduct Average Daily Membership (ADM) audits to three years from the time the monitoring or audit activity begins; Allows ADE to adjust funding for a school district or charter school that was overpaid or underpaid during the audit window if ADE issues those findings within two years of the beginning of monitoring or audit activity; Requires the correction of errors in the calculation of state aid or budget limits for a school district or charter school that are discovered within the previous three years, rather than the previous year.

Revises the method for calculating ADM from one that relies on counting the total enrollment of students on four dates each year to one that counts the total enrollment of each school day through the first 100 or 200 days in session, as applicable. Specifies that high school students are classified as either full-time or fractional students based on the number of classes they take, each of which, if taught each school day for the minimum number of days required in a school year, would meet for a minimum of 123 hours per year, or the equivalent.

Adjusts the transportation support level to provide additional support to school districts that elect to offer 200 days of instruction, rather than 180.
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/50leg/2r/laws/0357.pdf
Title: S.B. 1456
Source: azleg.gov

MESIGNED 05/2012P-12This bill clarifies that the school administrative unit is responsible for the costs of transporting students who are placed in an educational program at the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf..
Title: S.P. 637
Source: Westlaw/StateNet

IASigned into law 04/2012P-12Requires background checks for school bus drivers and makes penalties applicable.
http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&menu=false&hbill=SF2221
Title: S.F. 2221
Source: http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us

VASigned into law 04/2012P-12Increases the minimum amount of vehicle liability insurance required to be carried by public schools in the instances of property damage, medical expense payment coverage, and accidents when all persons are injured. The bill also requires taxicabs providing transportation of students under contract with a school division to have certain minimum amounts of vehicle liability insurance.
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+HB93ER+pdf
Title: H.B. 93
Source: http://lis.virginia.gov/

INSigned into law 03/2012P-12Provides that no fee may be charged to a parent or student for transportation to and from school if a school corporation provides transportation or contracts with an educational service center to provide transportation. Provides that parent supplemental transportation contracts do not apply to transportation provided by an educational service center. Makes a technical correction concerning school bus replacement plans. http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/HE/HE1134.1.html
Title: H.B. 1134
Source: www.in.gov

MNSigned into law 03/2012P-12Modifies provisions relating to school bus safety and standards for buses manufactured after December 31, 2012. Adds provisions for auxiliary fans and surveillance systems.
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/showPDF.php
Title: H.F. 392
Source: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/

NYSigned into law 03/2012P-12Part A, Section 16: For the 2012-13 school year, requires New York City school district to either (1) provide transportation after 5 pm for public and nonpublic K-6 students enrolled at regularly scheduled academic classes from 9:30 am or earlier to 5 pm or later on weekdays and who live a specified distance from their school of attendance, or (2) reimburse the cost incurred by licensed transportation carriers with which the district has contracted, for transportation of such students. Specifies the district does not satisfy its obligation under these provisions by providing public service transportation. Directs the New York City public schools chancellor to prescribe the most cost-effective system for implementing these requirements, taking into consideration the costs associated with options 1 and 2 above, while at the same time maximizing student safety considering the ages of the students being transported. Chapter 57: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A09057&term=&Summary=Y&Memo=Y&Text=Y#jump_to_Text
Title: A.B. 9057 - Transportation after 5 PM
Source: assembly.state.ny.us

UTSigned into law 03/2012P-12Repeals provision that directed local boards to provide salary adjustments to transportation employees comparable to those of classified employees authorized under Section 53A-17a-137, when dividing the weighted pupil unit for salary adjustment purposes. http://le.utah.gov/~2012/bills/hbillenr/hb0156.pdf
Title: H.B. 156 - Compensation of Transportation Employees
Source: le.utah.gov

+ 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