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
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+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Finance
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+ Choice of Schools--Tax Credits
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+ Civic Education
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+ Civic Education--Pledge of Allegiance
+ Class Size
+ Curriculum
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+ Curriculum--Excusal
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+ 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
TNSigned into law 05/2012P-12Provides that sex education shall be abstinence-centered. Prevents programs that promote or condone "gateway sexual activities," which are sexual activities that put the student at risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. Requires parental notification, examination of instructional materials when district will start sex education programs. Contains student opt-out provision.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB3310.pdf
Title: S.B. 3310
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov

WISigned into law 04/2012P-12Repeals provisions that encouraged boards to ensure that pupils were provided age-appropriate instruction in human growth and development. Replaced with provision to foster a partnership between parents and schools to promote the optimal health and well-being of pupils. Defines "medically accurate information" as that which is scientifically-based and published, where appropriate, in peer-reviewed journals and textbooks. Adds to definition of "age-appropriate" by adding "consistent with adolescent development and community standards." Repeals 118.019 (1m) (b) 1., 2. and 3. These sections described the makeup of the instructional program (if provided by local board). Adds that if a school board elects to provide an instructional program, when the board establishes the curriculum for the instructional program, the board is required to make determinations as to whether and, if so, for what subjects covered in the curriculum the pupils are to be separated by gender. If an instructional program is provided, lists a number recommendations such as that abstinence is the only reliable way to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, and requires the program to identify the skills necessary to remain abstinent. Clarifies that nothing in the subsection is to be construed to prohibit a school board from approving an instructional program that includes instruction on abstinence from sexual activity or that is abstinence-centered. For school boards offering a human growth and development curriculum, requires the appointment of an ad hoc advisory committee whose role is to advise the board on the design and implementation of the curriculum and to review the curriculum. Establishes membership of such a committee (i.e., no more than 1/5 parents and no more than 25% employees or board members and/or their spouses).
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/related/enrolled/sb237
Title: S.B. 237
Source: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov

TNSigned into law 03/2012P-12Requires the office of research and education accountability and the department of health to do studies on AIDS curricula. Directs department to survey other state health departments' AIDS public outreach and education programs.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB2414.pdf
Title: H.B. 2414
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov

UTVetoed 03/2012P-12Defines "abstinence only instructional materials" and "human sexuality instruction or instructional program". Specifies that a local board or charter school governing board may, but is not required to, provide human sexuality instruction or instructional programs. Requires human sexuality instruction or instructional materials to teach and stress (1) the importance of abstinence from all sexual activity before marriage and fidelity after marriage as the only sure methods for preventing certain communicable diseases, and (2) personal skills that encourage individual choice of abstinence and fidelity. Directs the state board, in consultation with parents, to recommend abstinence only instructional materials for use in human sexuality instruction or instructional programs. Permits state board's recommended instructional materials to include a parent education component to make instruction or instructional materials available to assist parents in providing human sexuality instruction to their children. Prohibits state board from recommending instructional materials other than abstinence only instructional materials for use in human sexuality instruction or instructional programs. Permits a local board or charter school governing board to adopt abstinence only instructional materials recommended by the state board of education or the district or charter school's curriculum materials review committee. Amends existing provision regarding local curriculum materials review committees to require that parents/guardians of children enrolled in the district or charter school be the majority of a committee's members. Permits a district or charter school, in consultation with parents, to develop abstinence only curriculum materials, which must include a parent education component to help parents provide human sexuality instruction to their children.
Bill text: http://le.utah.gov/~2012/bills/hbillenr/hb0363.pdf
Governor's veto message: http://www.utah.gov/governor/news_media/article.html?article=6797
Title: H.B. 363
Source: le.utah.gov

+ 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
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+ Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures
+ Finance--Student Fees
+ Finance--Taxes/Revenues
+ Finance--Taxes/Revenues--Alternative Revenues
+ Governance
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+ Governance--Mandates
+ Governance--Regional Entities
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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
+ High School--College Readiness
+ High School--Credit Recovery
+ High School--Dropout Rates/Graduation Rates
+ High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment
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+ High School--Exit Exams
+ High School--GED (General Education Development)
+ High School--Graduation Requirements
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+ Instructional Approaches
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+ Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
+ Leadership
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+ Leadership--District Superintendent--Compensation and Diversified Pay
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership
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+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Compensation and Diversified Pay
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+ Online Learning--Digital/Blended Learning
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+ P-3
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+ P-3 Content Standards and Assessment
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+ P-3 Early Intervention (0-3)
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+ Postsecondary
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+ Postsecondary Affordability
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+ 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
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+ Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation
+ Postsecondary Success--Retention/Persistence
+ Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation
+ Private Schools
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+ Proficiency-Based Approaches
+ Promotion/Retention
+ Purposes of Public Education
+ Reading/Literacy
+ Religion
+ Religion--Prayer/Meditation
+ Religion--Scientific Creationism (Evolution)
+ Rural
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+ 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
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+ State Longitudinal Data Systems
+ State Policymaking
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+ STEM
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+ Teaching Quality
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+ 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
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+ 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
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+ Teaching Quality--Teacher Contracts (Not Tenure)
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+ Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract
+ Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining
+ Technology
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+ Technology--Funding Issues
+ Technology--Internet Safety
+ Technology--Teacher/Faculty Training
+ Textbooks and Open Source
+ Urban