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
+ Counseling/Guidance
+ Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Arts Education
+ Curriculum--Drivers Education
+ Curriculum--Excusal
+ Curriculum--Family Living Education
+ Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed.
+ Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language
+ Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education
+ Curriculum--Language Arts
+ Curriculum--Mathematics
+ Curriculum--Multicultural
+ Curriculum--Physical Education
+ Curriculum--Science
+ Curriculum--Sex Education
+ Curriculum--Social Studies/History
+ Data-Driven Improvement
+ Economic/Workforce Development
+ Equity
+ Finance
+ Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost
+ Finance--Bonds
+ Finance--District
+ Finance--Equity
+ Finance--Facilities
+ Finance--Federal
+ Finance--Funding Formulas
+ Finance--Local Foundations/Funds
+ Finance--Lotteries
+ Finance--Resource Efficiency
+ Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures
+ Finance--Student Fees
+ Finance--Taxes/Revenues
+ Finance--Taxes/Revenues--Alternative Revenues
+ Governance
+ Governance--Deregulation/Waivers/Home Rule
+ Governance--Ethics/Conflict of Interest
+ Governance--Mandates
+ Governance--Regional Entities
+ Governance--School Boards
+ Governance--School Boards--Training
+ Governance--Site-Based Management
+ Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies
+ Health
+ Health--Child Abuse
+ Health--Nutrition
+ Health--School Based Clinics or School Nurses
+ Health--Suicide Prevention
+ High School
+ High School--Advanced Placement
+ High School--College Readiness
+ High School--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
+ Instructional Approaches
+ Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
+ International Baccalaureate
+ 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
+ Mentoring/Tutoring
+ 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--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)
+ Remediation (K-12)
+ 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 Surveys
+ Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities
+ Students--Employment
+ Students--K-12 Exchange Students
+ Students--Records/Rights
+ Teaching Quality
- Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure
AKAdopted Text or Summary of Text 12/2012P-12Certification of Professional Teachers
4 AAC 12.308
Clarifies the acceptance of educator preparation programs, approval of in-state educator preparation programs....

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NHAdopted 12/2012P-12Comprehensive Agricultural, Marketing and Business Education
NH ADC Ed 507.04, 507.46, 47; NH ADC Ed 612.31
These rules describe what an individual has to do and know to be certified as a teacher in Career and Technical Education for Agriculture, Marketing and Business. Ed 612.31(c),(e) and (f) set the program requirements for institutions of higher education to pre...

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CASigned into law 09/2012P-12Licensure Renewal Requirements for Active Duty Military
A.B. 1588
From 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 registr...

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MEAdopted 09/2012P-12Purpose, Standards and Procedures for the Review and Approval of Preparation Programs for Education Personnel
ME ADC 05-071 Ch. 114, s 1, 2, 3, 4
This rule contains the requirements for certification, authorization, and approval of educational personnel who serve in the public and in certain approved private schools of the State of Maine. Standards and procedures for certification, authorization, and ap...

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NVAdopted 09/2012P-12Required Documentation and Academic Credits for Initial Teacher Certification
NAC 391.045
Details the documentation and fees required to be submitted with an application for initial issuance of a license as a teacher or other educational employee. http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nac/NAC-391.html#NAC391Sec045...

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ILEmergency Rules 08/2012P-12Substituting ACT or SAT Composite for Passing Score on Illinois Test of Basic Skills
23 IL ADC 25.720
On June 21, 2012, the state board adopted a policy to allow candidates for entry into educator preparation programs and applicants for Illinois educator licenses to use a minimum composite score received on the ACT or SAT in lieu of passing the Illinois test o...

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NYSigned into law 08/2012P-12Citizenship Requirements for Permament Teacher Certification
A.B. 9472
Extends the effectiveness of provisions relating to citizenship requirements for permanent certification as a teacher to 2017.

From bill memo: Extends for another five years chapter 658 of the laws of 2002 which enabled a legal resident whose immigration sta...

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HISigned into law 07/2012P-12Military Training and Professional Licensure
H.B. 2258
Requires 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 vocation...

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NCSigned into law 07/2012P-12Licensure for Military Personnel and Spouses
H.B. 799
Permits 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/Sessio...

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CTSigned into law 06/2012P-12Teacher Certification
S.B. 382
Revises the number of grades an endorsement to teach elementary school covers by limiting it to grades one to six, from grades kindergarten to six. Exceptions granted to teachers enrolled in a teacher preparation program for elementary grades prior to the fall...

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ILSigned into law 06/2012P-12Educator Licensure for Service Member or Spouse
S.B. 275
Authorizes 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 S...

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NHAdopted 06/2012P-12Teacher Certification and Preparation Programs
NH ADC Ed 507.18, 34, 36, 38; NH ADC Ed 612.03, 15, 20, 30
State the requirements for teacher certification and teacher preparation programs in the area of Early Childhood Education, Classical Language, Music and Theatre. They are being readopted because they are due to expire. The early childhood rules were amended f...

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NVAdopted 06/2012P-12Licensure of Educational Personnel
NAC 391.070
Revises various provisions governing the licensure of educational personnel. http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Register/2011Register/R114-11A.pdf...

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AZAdopted 05/2012P-12Certification
AZ ADC R7-2-602, 603
Published by the registrar:

The Arizona State Board of Education adopted the Framework for Evaluating Educator Effectiveness. In that framework, recommendations to the State Board include ensuring Arizona's Professional Teaching Standards align to national ex...

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CTSigned into law 05/2012P-12P-3 Reading Proficiency & Teacher Preparation
S.B. 458
(Sec. 5) Requires the Department of Education, by January 1, 2012, to develop and approve reading assessments that districts must use to identify kindergarten through third grade who are below proficiency in reading. Assessments must: 1) Include frequent stude...

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CTSigned into law 05/2012P-12Teacher Preparation, Certification, & PD
S.B. 458
(Sec. 35) Requires teacher preparation programs (Starting July 1, 2015) to require, as part of their curricula, that students have classroom clinical, field, or student teaching experience during four semesters of the program.

(Sec. 36) Connecticut has a thr...

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IASigned into law 05/2012P-12Executive Director, Board of Educational Examiners
S.F. 2284 -- Division V
This section requires the governor to appoint the executive director of the Board of Educational Examiners subject to confirmation by the Senate -- rather than hired by the Board of Educational Examiners. Also increases the length of the student teaching exper...

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MTAdopted 05/2012P-12License Renewal
10.57.217
Allows for decisions on renewal of licensure to be appealed to the superintendent of public instruction.
http://www.mtrules.org/gateway/ruleno.asp?RN=10%2E57%2E217 ...

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NJSigned into law 05/2012P-12Endorsements for Teachers in Math, Science, Shortage Areas
A.B. 2311
Directs the Commissioner of Education shall establish a program to issue subject area endorsements in mathematics, the
sciences, or in any subject area in which there is a shortage of teachers to certificated teaching staff members who do not currently have a ...

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NVIssued 05/2012P-12Providing Reciprocity for Military Spouses Seeking Licensure in this State
Executive Order# 2012-11
Every 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...

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MNSigned into law 04/2012P-12One Year Teaching License - 2012 Extention
H.F. 2949
Provides that a person who has obstained a one-year license to teach and taught during the 2011-2012 school year may be approved by the Board of Teacheing to continue to teach through the 2012-2013 school year. Article 2, Sec. 20 https://www.revisor.mn.gov/dat...

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MSSigned into law 04/2012P-12Establish Administrative Due Process for Licensure Violations
H.B. 1144
Establishes an office within the State Department of Education to respond to and conduct hearings regarding educator and administrator licensure and ethics violations. Provides that approval of educator preparation programs is subject to a process and schedule...

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NJSigned into law 04/2012Postsec.Teacher Certification of Veterans
S 1026
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...

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NYIssued 04/2012P-12Establishing the New NY Education Reform Commission
E.O. No. 44
Establishes the New NY Education Reform Commission to provide guidance and advice to the governor on education policy, performance, and innovation. Directs the commission to study the best national and international public education models and best practices t...

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OKSigned into law 04/2012P-12Extends Deadline for Passage of Competency Exams for Teachers.
H.B. 2285
Extends the deadline for passage of required competency examinations by two years (from July 1, 2012 to July 1, 2014). The examinations affect general education, professional education and various subject areas and grade levels for purposes of ensuring academi...

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VASigned into law 04/2012P-12Eliminating State Mandates on Local and Regional Government Entities Relating to Education
H.B. 1295/S.B. 679
Eliminates several statewide mandates on local and regional government entities relating to education and land use. The bill does the following:

* Removes the requirement for establishing local advisory committees on gifted education and the annual reporting...

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AKAdopted 03/2012P-12Career or Technical Education Teaching Certificate
4 AAC 12.370, 372, 385
Revises the requirements for issuance of a limited career or technical education certificate (Type M), to include, a period of validity limited to 1 year (previously 4 years) with options for extension following the passage of a teacher competency exam; requir...

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ARAdopted 03/2012P-12Background Checks and License Revocation
AR ADC 005.23.5-1.00 to AR ADC 005.23.5-8.00; AR ADC 005.15.19-1.00 to AR ADC 005.15.19-4.00; AR ADC 005.15.13-1.00 to AR ADC005.15.13-8.00
Sets forth the requirements for a criminal background check and a Child Maltreatment Central Registry check for: each first-time applicant for a license issued by the State Board of Education, each applicant for his or her first license renewal after July 1, 1...

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IDSigned into law 03/2012P-12Five Year Review of Interstate Compact on Qualifications of Educational Personnel
H.B. 394
Five year review of Interstate Agreement on Qualifications of Educational Personnel, a compact addressing qualifications of educational personnel, and recognition of those qualifications among member states. Language is amended to revise purpose statement, pr...

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INSigned into law 03/2012P-12Augmentation of Appropriations for Full Day Kindergarten & Establish Commission to Study School Improvement & Teacher Evaluations
H.B. 1376
Permits augmentation of appropriations for full-day kindergarten. Changes the amount distributed per child.

Establishes the select commission on education to study: (1) the process of adoption and content of rules adopted by the Indiana state board of educat...

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NHAdopted 03/2012P-12Proceedings and Denial, Suspension, Or Revocation for Certified Personnel
NH ADC Ed 510.01, 02, 03, 04, 05; NH ADC Ed 511.01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06
Ed 510 provides the process for duty to report educator misconduct against a credential holder within a school district or SAU. Ed 511 provides the grounds for suspension or revocation of educator's certification, the procedures for investigation and due proce...

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VASigned into law 03/2012P-12Develops Licensure Criteria for Teachers who Teach Only Online Courses
H.B. 578
Requires the Board of Education to develop licensure criteria for teachers who teach only online courses. The bill also provides that teachers who hold a Board issued five-year renewable license may teach online courses for which they are properly endorsed.
ht...

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WYSigned into law 03/2012P-12Criminal History Checks for Teacher Certification
H.B. 108
Requires criminal history check for certification issuance and renewal. Provides cases where issuance or renewal can be denied. Provides for reporting to local district boards about licensure status.
http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2012/Enroll/HB0108.pdf...

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NHAdopted 01/2012P-12Certification and Recertification
NH ADC Ed 505.06, 07; NH ADC Ed 609.01; NH ADC Ed 610.02
Rules on obtaining a teaching credential, and on approval of professional preparation programs, for general and professional educator are being readopted with amendments. The rules are updated to align with the standards of the National Council for Accreditati...

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+ 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