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
+ 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
LAAdopted 12/2012P-12Measures of Growth in Student Learning--Value-Added Model
LAC 28:CXLVII.303
Requires that the value-added educator evaluation model not be used in any cases where fewer than 10 students with value-added results are assigned to an educator. Pages 73-74 of 276: http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/osr/reg/1212/1212.pdf...

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MTAdopted 10/2012P-12Accreditation, Including Teacher Evaluation
ARM 10.55.601-1003
Modifies accreditation. One modification deletes old section on teacher evaluation and replaces with new. Requires that evaluation system for licensed staff:
(i) be conducted at least annually for nontenure staff and on a regular schedule adopted by the distri...

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LAAdopted 09/2012P-12Evaluation and Assessment of Teachers and Administrators
LAC 28:CXLVII.105, 301, 305, 307, 309, 311, 319, 321, 323, 325, 701, 901, 903, and 905
Makes various changes to align the evaluation of school personnel with Act 54 of the 2010 Regular Legislative Session, including: (1) Clarifying the observation/data collection process for local personnel evaluation plans; (2) Overview of what constitutes the ...

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ARAdopted 08/2012P-12Teacher Excellence and Support System
AR ADC 005.08.4-1.0 to AR ADC005.08.4-14.0
Establishes the requirements and implementation procedures concerning the Teacher Excellence and Support System, beginning in the 2014-2015 school year.

5.0 Provides that the evaluation framework for a summative evaluation for a classroom teacher includes the...

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NJSigned into law 08/2012P-12Teacher Evaluation and Tenure
S 1455
Creates the Teacher Effectiveness and Accountability for the Children of New Jersey (TEACHNJ) Act.

Defines "evaluation" as a process based on the individual's job description, professional standards and Statewide evaluation criteria that incorporates analysis...

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NMAdopted 08/2012P-12Teacher and School Leader Effectiveness
6.69.8 NMAC
Adds new rule: 6.69.8 NMAC 'Teacher and School Leader Effectiveness,' which is intended to establish uniform procedures for conducting annual evaluations and effectiveness of licensed school teachers and administrators. A. As soon as possible but not later tha...

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ILAdopted 06/2012P-12Evaluation of Certified Employees Under Articles 24A and 34 of the School Code
23 IL ADC 50.10, 20, 30, 100, 110, 120, 140, 200, 300, 310, 320, 330, 400, 410, 420; 23 IL ADC 50.App. A
From Illinois Register: Sets forth the minimum requirements for both student growth and professional practice that all school districts must meet when establishing their performance
evaluation systems for teachers and principals/assistant principals (Subparts ...

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MASigned into law 06/2012P-12Teacher and Principal Evaluation Systems
S.B. 2315
Requires the State Board to establish and maintain a data system for the purpose of assessing the effectiveness of district evaluation systems in assuring effective teaching and administrative leadership. Requires that such information be made publicly availab...

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MISigned into law 06/2012P-12Principal Educator Evaluator Training
H.B. 5372
(Sec. 95) Creates a new grant program to train principals and assistant principals in educator evaluations. Programs must meet all of the following criteria:(a) contain instructional content on methods of evaluating teachers consistently across multiple grades...

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NYSigned into law 06/2012P-12Public Reporting of Teacher/Principal Performance Review Results
S.B. 7792
Directs each district and board of cooperative educational services (BOCES) to release to the public and the department of education the quality ratings and composite effectiveness scores from its teachers' and principals' annual professional performance revie...

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OHSigned into law 06/2012P-12Teacher Evaluations
S.B. 316 - Teacher Evaluations
Provides that, notwithstanding other provisions, each local board's teacher evaluation policy applies to any person employed under a teacher license, or under a professional or permanent teacher's certificate issued under former statute, and who spends at leas...

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OHSigned into law 06/2012P-12Testing Low-Performing Teachers
S.B. 316 - Testing Low-Performing Teachers
Prior provisions required all district, community school, and STEM school classroom teachers, teaching in a core subject area, whose schools' performance index scores were in the lowest 10% of all buildings statewide, to take all written examinations required ...

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PASigned into law 06/2012P-12Rating Tool for Professional School Staff
H.B. 1901 - Section 1123
Section 1123 requires the Secretary of Education--by June 30, 2013--to create a rating tool to measure the performance of professional staff in all districts, intermediate units, area vocational-technical schools, charter schools, and cyber charter schools. Re...

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CTSigned into law 05/2012P-12Teacher and Admin Evaluations
S.B. 458
(Sec. 51) Expands the requirements for the guidelines for the state model evaluation program for teachers and school administrators to include 1)using four ratings to evaluate teacher performance: (a) exemplary, (b) proficient, (c) developing, and (d) below st...

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IASigned into law 05/2012P-12Teacher and Administrator Matters
S.B. 2284 -- Division III
This section relates to teacher reviews, professional development, and administrator evaluations. Creates three new task forces: Statewide Educator Evaluation System Task Force, Iowa Teaching Standards and Criteria Review Task Force, and Teacher Performance, C...

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LAAdopted 05/2012P-12Teacher and Administrator Evaluations
LAC 28:CXLVII.Chapters 1-9
From May 2012 Louisiana Register: Act 54 of the 2010 Regular Legislative Session required that BESE develop, adopt, and promulgate all rules necessary for the implementation of teacher and administrator evaluations. Present rulemaking provides guidelines for i...

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MNVetoed 05/2012P-12Consequences of Teacher Evaluations
H.F. 1870
Requires a school board and the exclusive representative of the teachers to negotiate a plan to base unrequested leave of absence, discharge, and demotion decisions on teachers' subject matter licensure fields, their effectiveness, and their seniority beginnin...

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AZSigned into law 04/2012P-12Teacher/Principal Evaluations
H.B. 2823
Requires the State Board to adopt four state performance classifications (highly effective, effective, developing, ineffective) and guidelines for school districts and charter schools for the teacher and principal evaluation instrument by December 1, 2012. Per...

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GASigned into law 04/2012P-12Deadline for Annual Performance Evaluations
H.B. 706 - Deadline for Annual Performance Evaluations
Eliminates a deadline for annual performance evaluations (continues to require annual performance evaluations, but eliminates requirement that the evaluator complete annual evaluations of all certified personnel by April 1). Page 4 of 11: http://www.legis.ga.g...

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LASigned into law 04/2012P-12Teacher Reduction in Force and Dismissals
H.B. 974 - RIF Section
Requires school boards to adopt policies that delegate reduction in force to local superintendents to dismiss teachers and other employees. Requires reduction in force policies to be based solely upon demand, performance, and effectiveness, as determined by t...

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LASigned into law 04/2012P-12Teacher Tenure, Dismisal and Evaluation
H.B. 974
Eliminates teacher tenure for new employees hired after July 2012. Teachers rated highly effective for five years within a six-year period will be granted tenure, other teachers remain at-will employees. Tenured teachers rated ineffective will lose tenure. Tea...

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MESigned into law 04/2012P-12Effective Teaching and School Leadership
H.P. 1376
Requires school administrative units to develop and implement comprehensive performance evaluation and professional growth systems for teachers and principals. Sets forth standards that must be met by the systems, including a requirement that multiple measures...

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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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TNSigned into law 04/2012P-12Value Added Teacher Evaluation
H.J.R. 520
Directs the department of education to follow through and fulfill its publicly stated plan to provide multiple opportunities for feedback and future revision of the Tennessee Educator Acceleration Model (TEAM).
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HJR052...

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WISigned into law 04/2012P-12Multiple Sections: Educator Effectiveness and Preparation Program Effectiveness
S.B. 461
Requires that beginning July 1, 2012, each teacher preparatory program in the state submit to the department a list of individuals who have completed the program and who have been recommended by the program for licensure, together with each individual's date o...

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NYSigned into law 03/2012P-12Portion of State Funding Contingent on Adoption of Teacher and Principal Evaluation Process
A.B. 9057 - Portion of State Funding Contingent on Adoption of Teacher and Principal Evaluation Process
Part A, Section 1: Requires a school district, to be eligible for an apportionment of general support for public schools from the funds appropriated for the 2012-13 school year in excess of the amount apportioned to the district in the base year, to submit doc...

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NYSigned into law 03/2012P-12Annual Professional Performance Reviews Transition Grants
A.B. 9057 - Annual Professional Performance Reviews Transition Grants
Part A, Section 22-b: For the 2011-12 and/or 2012-13 school year, authorizes the commissioner of education to award certain districts annual professional performance reviews transition grants to eligible school districts. Part A, Sections 11-a, 11-b, 11-c, and...

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SDSigned into law 03/2012P-12Teacher and Principal Evaluations
H.B. 1234
Provides that beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, any public school district seeking state accreditation must evaluate each certified teacher on an annual basis and each certified principal not less than every other year. Each school district must adopt th...

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TNSigned into law 03/2012P-12Teacher Evaluations- Transfer
H.B. 2328
Requires local boards of education to consider a transferring teacher's evaluations from a prior LEA in making tenure decisions. Allows the local board to shorten the probationary period for a teacher transferring into the LEA under certain circumstances.
htt...

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UTSigned into law 03/2012P-12Online Education Survey
H.B. 149
From bill summary: Requires the state board of education to establish a three-year pilot online school survey system that includes surveys for students to evaluate their teachers and school administrators; parents to evaluate their children's teachers, schools...

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UTSigned into law 03/2012P-12Educator Evaluation
S.B. 64 - Educator Evaluation
Requires each district employee to be evaluated annually in accordance with state board rules. Requires provisional or probationary educators to be evaluated at least twice each school year. Establishes parameters for state board rules, including requiring a t...

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WASigned into law 03/2012P-12Professional Development and Evaluations of Teachers and Principals
S.B. 5895
Provides a framework for professional development for implementation of new teacher and principal evaluation systems. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Law%202012/5895-S.SL.pdf...

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WVSigned into law 03/2012P-12Teacher and Administrator Evaluations
H.B. 4236
Establishes a new system of performance evaluations of classroom teachers, principals and assistant principals; provides exclusions from the definition of professional personnel for certain evaluation purposes; providing for phased implementation and legislati...

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WYSigned into law 03/2012P-12Teacher & Principal Evaluations
S.F. 57
Requires state board, no later than July 1, 2013, to implement and administer an annual teacher performance evaluation system, based on performance measures and student longitudinal data. Provides the evaluation system will prescribe standards for highly effec...

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COSigned into law 02/2012P-12Evaluation of Educator Effectiveness
H.B. 1001
Senate Bill 10-191, enacted in 2010, requires the general assembly to review and approve the rules adopted by the state board of education implementing a statewide system to evaluate the effectiveness of licensed personnel employed by school districts and boar...

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+ 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