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
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+ Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed.
+ Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language
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+ Curriculum--Mathematics
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+ Curriculum--Science
+ Curriculum--Sex Education
+ Curriculum--Social Studies/History
+ Data-Driven Improvement
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+ Equity
+ Finance
+ Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost
+ Finance--Bonds
+ Finance--District
+ Finance--Facilities
+ Finance--Federal
+ Finance--Funding Formulas
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+ Finance--Lotteries
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+ Finance--Student Fees
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+ Governance
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+ Governance--Ethics/Conflict of Interest
+ Governance--Mandates
+ Governance--Regional Entities
+ Governance--School Boards
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+ 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
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+ 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
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+ 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
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+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures
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+ 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
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+ Postsecondary Participation--Enrollments (Statistics)
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+ Postsecondary Students
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+ 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
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+ Rural
+ Scheduling/School Calendar
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+ School Safety
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+ School Safety--Special Education
+ School Safety--Uniforms/Dress Codes
+ School/District Structure/Operations
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+ 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
CASigned into law 09/2012P-12From bill summary: Authorizes the superintendent of public instruction to convene the State Council required by the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children to complete the work of a specified task force if the superintendent finds it infeasible or impractical to reconvene the task force with its original membership. Requires the task force's final report to be submitted no later than December 1, 2013, and extends the effective date of provisions regarding the task force and the State Council and their duties to January 1, 2014. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_2201-2250/ab_2202_bill_20120920_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.B. 2202
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

CASigned into law 09/2012P-12From bill summary: Requires state professional licensing boards, with certain exceptions, to waive the renewal fees, continuing education requirements, and other renewal requirements as determined by the board, if any are applicable, of any licensee or registrant who is called to active duty as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or the California National Guard if certain requirements are met. Except as specified, prohibits a licensee or registrant from engaging in any activities requiring a license while a waiver is in effect. Requires a licensee or registrant to meet certain renewal requirements within a specified time period after being discharged from active duty service prior to engaging in any activity requiring a license. Requires a licensee or registrant to notify the board of his/her discharge from active duty within a specified time period. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_1551-1600/ab_1588_bill_20120929_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.B. 1588
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

HISigned into law 07/2012P-12Requires professional and vocational licensing boards to consider relevant military education, training, and service as part of the evaluation process toward the qualifications of a license. Requires the licensing administrator of the professional and vocational licensing division of the department of commerce and consumer affairs to communicate the intent of this Act to each licensing authority and report to the legislature. Repealed effective June 30, 2022. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2012/bills/HB2258_SD1_.pdf
Title: H.B. 2258
Source: www.capitol.hawaii.gov

NCSigned into law 07/2012P-12Permits military-trained applicants who have been awarded a military occupational specialty and military-spouse applicants who are licensed in another jurisdiction to receive occupational licenses in the State.  SESSION LAW 2012-196 http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2011/Bills/House/PDF/H799v6.pdf
Title: H.B. 799
Source: ncleg.net

ILSigned into law 06/2012P-12Authorizes issuance of expedited temporary occupational or professional license to a service member or spouse of a service member who holds valid licensure for the occupation or profession in another state, commonwealth, possession or territory of the United States or District of Columbia, or any foreign jurisdiction, and requirements are equivalent to licensure standards in Illinois, and who meets other specified requirements. Provides under Types of Licenses section of education code for "Professional Educator License with Stipulations" for service member or spouse. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/97/SB/PDF/09700SB0275lv.pdf
Title: S.B. 275
Source: www.ilga.gov

LASigned into law 06/2012P-12Prohibits an otherwise eligible student from being determined ineligible for participation in an extracurricular interscholastic athletic activity at the student's school if the student's transfer was necessitated by military orders issued to the student's parent or legal guardian, provided that all of specified conditions apply, including that the parent/guardian is a member of the uniformed services as defined in statute. Directs the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to annually report to the house and senate education committees the number of students deemed eligible to participate in extracurricular interscholastic athletic activities pursuant to these provisions, the schools such students transferred from and enrolled in, and the athletic activities in which such students participated. http://legis.la.gov/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=811706
Title: H.B. 631
Source: legis.la.gov

MASigned into law 05/2012P-12Provides definitions of military terms and provides that this legislation applies to active duty members of the uniformed services, members or veterans of the uniformed services who are severely injured and medically discharged or retired for a period of 1 year after medical discharge or retirement, and members of the uniformed services who die on active duty or as a result of injuries sustained on active duty for a period of 1 year after death.

Requires schools to provide to parents official (or unofficial) records to students for transfer purposes. Requires receiving schools to request official student records from a student's previous school, which should be furnished within 10 days.

Provides that students have 30 days to to obtain any immunizations required by the receiving state.

Provides that students be allowed to continue enrollment at the grade level in the receiving state that is equal with the grade level from the local education agency in the sending state at the time of transition, regardless of age. When a student transfers before or during the school year, the receiving state school shall initially honor placement of the student in educational courses based on the student's enrollment in the sending state school or educational assessments conducted at the school in the sending state if the courses are offered and space is available. This does not preclude the school in the receiving state from performing subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement and continued enrollment of the student in the courses.

Requires the receiving state to initially provide comparable services to a student with disabilities based on: (i) the student's current individualized education program; (ii) the requirements of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C.A. section 794; and (iii) title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C.A. sections 12131-12165. The receiving state is required to make reasonable accommodations and modifications to address the needs of incoming students with disabilities, subject to an existing 504 or title II plan, to provide the student with equal access to education.

Provides that local education agency administrative officials shall have flexibility in waiving course or program prerequisites or other preconditions for placement in courses or programs offered under the jurisdiction of the local education agency.

Provides that a student whose parent or legal guardian is an active duty member of the uniformed services and has been called to duty for, is on leave from or immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting, may be granted additional excused absences at the discretion of the local education agency superintendent to visit with that parent or legal guardian on leave or preparing for or returning from deployment.

http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S02254
Title: S.B. 2254
Source: http://www.malegislature.gov/

NVIssued 05/2012P-12Every professional licensing board organized pursuant to the Nevada Revised Statues is ordered to:
Facilitate endorsement of a current license from another state as long as the requirements for licensure in that jurisdiction are substantially equivalent to the requirements in Nevada; and
Where possible, provide for a temporary or provisional license allowing a military spouse to practice while fulfilling requirements needed to qualify for endorsement in this state, or while awaiting verification of documentation supporting such an endorsement; and
Expedite application procedures for a military spouse, including where possible the approval of a license based on an affidavit from the applicant that the information provided on the application is true and that verifying documentation has been requested.
In the case that statutory requirements prohibit any of the actions above, the executive director or chairman of a professional licensing board shall inform the Governor's office in writing of the suggested statutory changes to make reciprocity for military spouse licensure an efficient and practical reality. http://gov.nv.gov/news/item/4294973520/
Title: Executive Order# 2012-11
Source: gov.nv.gov

AKSigned into law 04/2012Postsec.Directs the department or applicable board to accept military education, training, and service credit for some or all of the qualifications otherwise required of an applicant for a license or certificate issued or to accept academic credit towards a degree or technical education if an applicant provides satisfactory evidence of successful completion of relevant military education, training, or service. Permits department to provide a temporary occupational license for qualified military service members under certain circumstances. Requires that a postsecondary educational institution or workforce investment board demonstrate that it accepts military education, training, or service credit or hours toward a degree or technical program offered by the institution.
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/27/Bills/HB0282C.PDF
Title: H.B. 282
Source: legis.state.ak.us

FLSigned into law 04/2012P-12
Postsec.
Establishes August 7th of each year as "Purple Heart Day," and encourages schools to commemorate Purple Heart Day and honor those wounded or killed while serving in any branch of the U.S. Armed Services. Requires each Florida College System institution and state university that offers priority course registration for a segment of the student population, or upon implementation of priority course registration for a segment of the student population, to provide priority course registration for each veteran receiving GI Bill educational benefits or for the spouse or dependent children of the veteran to whom the GI Bill educational benefits have been transferred. Encourages each independent postsecondary educational institution offering priority course registration to provide priority course registration for each veteran or spouse/dependents using GI Bill educational benefits. http://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_s0922er.DOCX&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0922&Session=2012
Title: S.B. 922
Source: myfloridahouse.gov

GASigned into law 04/2012P-12Adopts the "Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children." Provides for the purpose and policy of the compact. Provides for student educational records and enrollment, placement and attendance, eligibility, graduation, and state coordination services. Creates the Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. Provides for the members of the interstate commission and their service. Provides for an executive committee and its membership and duties. Provides for the commission's powers, duties, organization, and operations. Provides for oversight, enforcement, and dispute resolution. Provides for financing of the interstate commission. Provides for member states, an effective date, and amendments; provides for withdrawal and dissolution; provides for binding effect and other laws. http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20112012/127877.pdf
Title: S.B. 227
Source: www.legis.ga.gov

MSSigned into law 04/2012P-12Authorizes school boards to allow course credit to high school students who are also members of the national guard, and who complete basic training camp at the end of their junior year and before the start of their senior year. Authorizes the school district to award the student one Carnegie unit of elective credit upon receipt of evidence of the student's completion of basic training.
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2012/pdf/HB/0700-0799/HB0784SG.pdf
Title: H.B. 784
Source: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/

NJSigned into law 04/2012Postsec.Establishes a four-year "VETeach Pilot Program" pilot to facilitate the teacher certification of veterans.

Provides that Richard Stockton College of New Jersey will enroll in a 36-month teacher preparation program, a single cohort of students who are veterans of the United States Armed Forces and who served on or after September 11, 2001. The program shall lead to a baccalaureate degree and completion of the requirements necessary to apply to the State Board of Examiners for a certificate of eligibility with advanced standing.

Provides that a certificate of eligibility with advanced standing issued to a student who completes the pilot program shall authorize the student to seek employment as a teacher in grades K through 8, and in certain secondary education fields.

Requires that, upon the conclusion of the pilot program, the commissioner shall report to the Governor and the Legislature on the number of veterans who enrolled in the teacher preparation program, the number of those veterans who were hired as teachers in public or nonpublic schools, and the advisability of the establishment of similar programs on a permanent basis.

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/AL12/2_.PDF
Title: S 1026
Source: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/

VASigned into law 04/2012Postsec.Except for the Board of Medicine and the Board of Dentistry, requires the regulatory boards within the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, the Department of Health Professions, or any board named in Title 54.1 to accept the military training, education, or experience of a service member returning from active military service in the armed forces of the United States, to the extent that such training, education, or experience is substantially equivalent to the requirements established by law and regulations of the respective board for the issuance of any license, permit, certificate, or other document, however styled or denominated, required for the practice of any business, profession, or calling in the Commonwealth.

Provides that to the extent that the service member's military training, education or experience, or portion thereof, is not deemed substantially equivalent, the respective board shall credit whatever portion of the military training, education, or experience that is substantially equivalent toward meeting the requirements for the issuance of the license, permit, certificate, or other document.

Authorizes a regulatory board to require the service member to provide such documentation of his training, education, or experience as deemed necessary to determine substantial equivalency.

http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=121&typ=bil&val=hb938
Title: H.B. 938
Source: http://lis.virginia.gov/

WVSigned into law 03/2012P-12Modifying the criteria for awarding high school diplomas to certain veterans. http://www.legis.state.wv.us/bill_status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=HB4433%20SUB%20ENR.htm&yr=2012&sesstype=RS&i=4433
Title: H.B. 4433
Source: www.legis.state.wv

WYSigned into law 03/2012P-12Provides for an interstate compact on educational opportunity for military children. Facilitates enrollment and placement of children of military families.
http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2012/Enroll/SF0078.pdf
Title: S.F. 78
Source: http://legisweb.state.wy.us

PASigned into law 02/2012P-12Authorizes the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children; provides for the form and enforcementof the compact; imposes additional powers and duties on the Governor, the Secretary of the Commonwealth and the compactcommissioner; and establishes the State Council on Interstate Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
Title: S.B. 159
Source: Westlaw/StateNet

VASigned into law 02/2012P-12Clarifies language relating to enrollment of students pursuant to a special power of attorney to correspond to language in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. This bill is identical to SB 190.
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+CHAP0029+pdf
Title: H.B. 640/S.B. 190
Source: http://leg1.state.va.us/

+ 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