ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2012 State Policies / Activities

Education Commission of the States • 700 Broadway, Suite 810 • Denver, CO 80203-3442 • 303.299.3600 • fax 303.296.8332 • www.ecs.org

The following summary includes policies enacted in 2012. This database is made possible by your state's fiscal support of the Education Commission of the States (ECS). Most entries are legislative, although rules/regulations and executive orders that make substantive changes are included. Every effort is made to collect the latest available version of policies; in some instances, recent changes might not be reflected. For expediency purposes minimal attention has been paid to style (capitalization, punctuation) and format. To view the documents, click on the blue triangle next to the topic of interest. To view all, press the button located at the top labeled "Expand All."

Please cite use of the database as: Education Commission of the States (ECS) State Policy Database, retrieved [date].

State Status/Date Level Summary
+ 21st Century Skills
+ Accountability
+ Accountability--Accreditation
+ Accountability--Measures/Indicators
+ Accountability--Reporting Results
+ Accountability--Rewards
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--No Pass No Drive
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--Takeovers
+ Accountability--School Improvement
+ Adult Basic Education
+ Assessment
+ Assessment--Accommodations
+ Assessment--College Entrance Exams
+ Assessment--Computer Based
+ Assessment--End-of-Course
+ Assessment--High Stakes/Competency
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education
+ Attendance
+ Attendance--Compulsory
+ Attendance--Statutory Ages (Upper and Lower)
+ Attendance--Truancy
+ Background Checks
+ Bilingual/ESL
+ Career/Technical Education
+ Career/Technical Education--Career Academies/Apprenticeship
+ Cheating
+ Choice of Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Closings
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Cyber Charters
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Finance
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Research
+ Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment
+ Choice of Schools--Magnet or Specialized Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Tax Credits
+ Choice of Schools--Vouchers
+ Civic Education
+ Civic Education--Character Education
+ Civic Education--Curriculum/Standards
+ Civic Education--Pledge of Allegiance
+ Class Size
+ Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Arts Education
+ Curriculum--Drivers Education
+ Curriculum--Excusal
+ Curriculum--Family Living Education
+ Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed.
+ Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language
+ Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education
+ Curriculum--Language Arts
+ Curriculum--Mathematics
+ Curriculum--Multicultural
+ Curriculum--Physical Education
+ Curriculum--Science
+ Curriculum--Sex Education
+ Curriculum--Social Studies/History
+ Data-Driven Improvement
+ Economic/Workforce Development
+ Equity
+ Finance
+ Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost
+ Finance--Bonds
+ Finance--District
+ Finance--Facilities
+ Finance--Federal
+ Finance--Funding Formulas
+ Finance--Local Foundations/Funds
+ Finance--Lotteries
+ Finance--Resource Efficiency
+ Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures
+ Finance--Student Fees
+ Finance--Taxes/Revenues
+ Finance--Taxes/Revenues--Alternative Revenues
+ Governance
+ Governance--Deregulation/Waivers/Home Rule
+ Governance--Ethics/Conflict of Interest
+ Governance--Mandates
+ Governance--Regional Entities
- Governance--School Boards
CASigned into law 09/2012P-12From bill summary: Provides that any employee of a school district that is within the jurisdiction of the county board of education is ineligible to be a member of the county board of education. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_1651-1700/ab_1662_bill_20120924_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.B. 1662
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

NHSigned into law 06/2012P-12Modifies the procedure for filling a vacancy on a cooperative school board.
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2012/SB0328.html
Title: S.B. 328
Source: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/

OHSigned into law 06/2012P-12Permits the governor, operator, or any other person or entity who appoints a member to the board of trustees of a college-preparatory boarding school to remove that member from the board at any time. Pages 237-238 of 592: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_SB_316_EN_Y.pdf
Title: S.B. 316 - Removal of College-Preparatory Boarding School Board of Trustees Member
Source: www.legislature.state.oh.us

OHSigned into law 06/2012P-12Requires that, notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary, an employee of a county board of developmental disabilities also may be a member of the governing board of a political subdivision, including a district board of education, or an agency that does not provide specialized services. Permits the county board to contract with such a governing board. Prohibits that member of the governing board from voting on any matter concerning a contract with the county board or participating in any discussion or debate regarding such a contract. Page 234 of 401: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_SB_316_EN_N.pdf
Title: S.B. 316 - County Board of Developmental Disabilities Employee Eligibility to Serve on Local School Board
Source: www.legislature.state.oh.us

OKSigned into law 06/2012P-12Those appointed or elected to school board positions must agree to take 12 hours of instruction related to education within 15 months. If a member does not complete the required training and is required to leave his or her seat due to not completing the requirement, he or she cannot be reappointed or run for reelection to the board for three years for three-member boards, four years for seven-member boards and five years for five-member boards. Incumbents are required to take six hours of training upon reelection.
http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20ENR/hB/HB2306%20ENR.DOC
Title: H.B. 2306 - School Board Training Section
Source: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us

RISigned into law 06/2012P-12Adds corporations to the list of entities who may act as trustee for trust agreements between school districts and corporate trustees in reference to OPEB (other post employment benefits) trusts. Also allows school districts to employ corporations to advise on the investment of the OPEB trust and pay for it and allows corporations to manage and operate OPEB trusts but requires a separate yearly audit annually.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText12/SenateText12/S2038.htm
Title: S.B. 2038
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us

LASigned into law 05/2012P-12Requires local option elections in certain school districts to determine if school board members should have term limits of three consecutive four-year terms. Addresses issues related to the process of conducting and the cost of such elections.
http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=804836
Title: H.B. 292
Source: http://www.legis.state.la.us

OKSigned into law 05/2012P-12Allows entities that provide training to charge an amount sufficient to reimburse the cost of training. Expands prohibition from school board reelection for failure to complete continuing education requirements to prohibition to be reappointed or to run for election to any other board seat on the board of education for a three-year period for three-member boards, a four-year period for seven-member boards or for a five-year period for five-member boards.
http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/2011-12bills/HB/HB3000_ENR.RTF
Title: H.B. 3000
Source: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us

ALSigned into law 04/2012P-12Establishes the School Board Governance Improvement Act of 2012. Provides legislative intent. Requires prospective board members to publicly affirm certain principles of educational governance. Specifies the responsibilities of board members. Provides for the implementation of training and continuing education in boardsmanship for all board members. Provides for certain sanctions to be imposed upon board members upon a finding that the action or inaction of a board member constitutes neglect of duty or willful misconduct. Requires the state board of education to adopt a model code of conduct for board members, and for local boards of education to adopt a code of conduct that includes, at a minimum, the model code of conduct adopted by the state board. Amends Sections 16-8-1 and 16-11-2, relating to the qualifications of members of city and county boards of education.
Title: H.B. 431
Source:

FLSigned into law 04/2012P-12From bill analysis: Provides flexibility for districts in scheduling elections of a school board chair by amending the existing requirement that a district board elect a chair on the third Tuesday after the first Monday of November. Instead the bill requires that the election be held in November. Also provides that in a general election year, the election of a school board chair must comply with the statutory requirements for a general election. Bill text: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h1357er.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=1357&Session=2012
Bill analysis: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=h1357z.KCOS.DOCX&DocumentType=Analysis&BillNumber=1357&Session=2012
Title: H.B. 1357
Source: www.myfloridahouse.gov

LASigned into law 04/2012P-12Requires performance contracts for local superintendents in districts that receive a C, D or F grade. The contracts must establish performance targets at the school and district level to include: student achievement and graduation rates. Local superintendents will be removed from office for not meeting targets in performance contracts or for other reasons, such as incompetency. Specifies that local school board policies should prioritize student achievement, financial efficiency, and workforce development on a local, regional and statewide basis. Shifts authority for certain responsibilities from school boards to local superintendents, including the hiring and placement of all school personnel. Indicates that school board policies must require superintendents to: delegate to principals all decisions regarding the hiring of their teachers and personnel, subject to approval of superitendents; and consult with teachers prior to making decisions regarding the hiring of principals at their school. The superintendent and principals will make all employment-related decisions based upon performance, effectiveness and qualifications to each specific position. In no case, shall seniority or tenure be used as the primary criterion for hiring, assignment or dismissal of teachers or other employees.
http://legis.la.gov/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=789546
Title: H.B. 974
Source: http://legis.la.gov

MOSigned into law 03/2012P-12Provides that any school district in St. Charles County that becomes an urban school district because of the 2010 federal decennial census will retain terms of three years for its school board members. In addition, school board member elections will continue to be held at the general municipal election in April of each year. http://www.senate.mo.gov/12info/pdf-bill/tat/SB450.pdf
Title: S.B. 450
Source: www.senate.mo.gov

+ Governance--School Boards--Training
+ Governance--Site-Based Management
+ Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies
+ Health
+ Health--Child Abuse
+ Health--Nutrition
+ Health--School Based Clinics or School Nurses
+ Health--Suicide Prevention
+ High School
+ High School--Advanced Placement
+ High School--College Readiness
+ High School--Credit Recovery
+ High School--Dropout Rates/Graduation Rates
+ High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment
+ High School--Early Colleges/Middle Colleges
+ High School--Exit Exams
+ High School--GED (General Education Development)
+ High School--Graduation Requirements
+ High School--International Baccalaureate
+ Instructional Approaches
+ Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
+ Leadership
+ Leadership--District Superintendent
+ Leadership--District Superintendent--Compensation and Diversified Pay
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Certification and Licensure
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Compensation and Diversified Pay
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Evaluation and Effectiveness
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Preparation
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Professional Development
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Tenure
+ Middle School
+ Minority/Diversity Issues
+ Minority/Diversity Issues--American Indian / Alaska Native / Native Hawaiian
+ No Child Left Behind
+ No Child Left Behind--Choice/Transfer
+ No Child Left Behind--Consequences for Schools
+ No Child Left Behind--Reauthorization Issues/Waivers
+ No Child Left Behind--School Support
+ No Child Left Behind--Supplemental Services
+ Online Learning--Digital/Blended Learning
+ Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses
+ P-16 or P-20
+ P-3
+ P-3 Child Care
+ P-3 Content Standards and Assessment
+ P-3 Data Systems
+ P-3 Early Intervention (0-3)
+ P-3 Ensuring Quality
+ P-3 Family Involvement
+ P-3 Finance
+ P-3 Governance
+ P-3 Grades 1-3
+ P-3 Health and Mental Health
+ P-3 Kindergarten
+ P-3 Kindergarten--Full-Day Kindergarten
+ P-3 Preschool
+ P-3 Teaching Quality/Professional Development
+ Parent/Family
+ Parent/Family--Parent Rights
+ Partnerships--University/School
+ Postsecondary
+ Postsecondary Accountability
+ Postsecondary Accountability--Accreditation
+ Postsecondary Accountability--Licensing/Program Review and Approval
+ Postsecondary Affordability
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Textbooks
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Undocumented Immigrants
+ Postsecondary Faculty
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Compensation
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Tenure
+ Postsecondary Finance
+ Postsecondary Finance--Efficiency/Performance-Based Funding
+ Postsecondary Finance--Facilities
+ Postsecondary Finance--Revenue and Expenditures
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures--Administrative/Leadership Issues
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures--State Executives/State Agencies
+ Postsecondary Institutions
+ Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges
+ Postsecondary Institutions--For-Profit/Proprietary
+ Postsecondary Institutions--Four-Year Baccalaureate
+ Postsecondary Institutions--Private/Independent
+ Postsecondary Online Instruction
+ Postsecondary Participation
+ Postsecondary Participation--Access
+ Postsecondary Participation--Enrollments (Statistics)
+ Postsecondary Participation--Outreach
+ Postsecondary Students
+ Postsecondary Students--Adults
+ Postsecondary Students--Disabled
+ Postsecondary Students--Foster Youth
+ Postsecondary Students--Graduate/Professional
+ Postsecondary Students--Military
+ Postsecondary Success
+ Postsecondary Success--Completion
+ Postsecondary Success--Completion--Completion Rates (Statistics)
+ Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation
+ Postsecondary Success--Retention/Persistence
+ Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation
+ Private Schools
+ Privatization--Education Management Agencies (EMOs)
+ Proficiency-Based Approaches
+ Promotion/Retention
+ Purposes of Public Education
+ Reading/Literacy
+ Religion
+ Religion--Prayer/Meditation
+ Religion--Scientific Creationism (Evolution)
+ Rural
+ Scheduling/School Calendar
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Day/Class Length
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Summer School
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Year
+ School Safety
+ School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution
+ School Safety--Corporal Punishment
+ School Safety--Disaster/Emergency Preparedness
+ School Safety--Expulsion/Suspension
+ School Safety--Sexual Harassment and Assault
+ School Safety--Special Education
+ School Safety--Uniforms/Dress Codes
+ School/District Structure/Operations
+ School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Food Service
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Org. (K-3/K-8 etc.)
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Personnel (Non-Teaching)
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Shared Services
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation
+ Service-Learning
+ Special Education
+ Special Education--Federal Law/Regulations
+ Special Education--Finance
+ Special Education--Placement
+ Special Education--Transition
+ Special Populations--Corrections Education
+ Special Populations--Foster Care
+ Special Populations--Gifted and Talented
+ Special Populations--Homeless Education
+ Special Populations--Migrant Education
+ Special Populations--Military
+ Standards
+ Standards--Common Core State Standards
+ State Longitudinal Data Systems
+ State Policymaking
+ State Policymaking--Ballot Questions
+ State Policymaking--Constitutional Clauses
+ State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions
+ STEM
+ Student Achievement
+ Student Achievement--Closing the Achievement Gap
+ Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance
+ Student Supports--Mentoring/Tutoring
+ Student Supports--Remediation
+ Student Surveys
+ Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities
+ Students--K-12 Exchange Students
+ Students--Records/Rights
+ Teaching Quality
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Alternative
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Assignment
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Natl. Bd. for Prof. Teach. Stds.
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Special Education
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--State Prof. Standards Bds.
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Substitute Teachers
+ Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay
+ Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Pay-for-Performance
+ Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits
+ Teaching Quality--Evaluation and Effectiveness
+ Teaching Quality--Induction Programs and Mentoring
+ Teaching Quality--Paraprofessionals
+ Teaching Quality--Preparation
+ Teaching Quality--Professional Development
+ Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention
+ Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention--At-Risk Schools
+ Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention--High-Needs Subjects
+ Teaching Quality--Reduction in Force
+ Teaching Quality--Teacher Contracts (Not Tenure)
+ Teaching Quality--Teacher Rights
+ Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract
+ Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining
+ Technology
+ Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware
+ Technology--Equitable Access
+ Technology--Funding Issues
+ Technology--Internet Safety
+ Technology--Teacher/Faculty Training
+ Textbooks and Open Source
+ Urban