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
ARAdopted 12/2012P-12
Postsec.
Rules Governing Dual & Concurrent Enrollment
AR ADC 005.15.7-1.00 through ADC 005.15.7-5.00
Establishes requirements, procedures concerning concurrent college and high school credit for students who have completed the eighth grade. Finds that students are responsible for all costs of higher education courses. Requires school districts that pay for hi...

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CASigned into law 09/2012P-12
Postsec.
Career Technical Education Pathways Program
S.B. 1070
From bill summary: Establishes the Career Technical Education Pathways Program until June 30, 2015, which requires the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges and the Superintendent of Public Instruction to assist economic and workforce regional develo...

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DCAdopted 09/2012P-12Dual Enrollment Regulations
59 DCR 9209 - New Chapter, 2400
Enables high school students to enroll in, and receive dual academic credit for, postsecondary courses taken on a college campus. Allows Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to develop a Dual Enrollment Partnership Agreement with a partnering postsecondary institut...

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ALSigned into law 05/2012P-12
Postsec.
Workforce Investment
S.B. 318 - Workforce Investment
From K-12 appropriations bill: Provides that workforce development funds may be expended for technical dual enrollment programs. Also requires that up to $200,000 be used to provide regional council seed funding in Regions 3 and 8 to develop leadership strateg...

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COSigned into law 05/2012P-12Concurrent Enrollment For Early High School Grads
H.B. 1043
If, during a high school student's 12-grade year, the number of credit hours the student needs for graduation is less than full-time enrollment, the bill requires the school district, charter school, or board of cooperative services in which the student is enr...

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COSigned into law 05/2012P-12
Community College
Funding For Dropout Recovery Programs
H.B. 1146
The bill authorizes a community college to agree with a local education provider to create a dropout recovery program through which a student who has dropped out of high school or who is at risk of dropping out of high school can concurrently enroll in the com...

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COSigned into law 05/2012P-12
Postsec.
High School Early Assessment and Intervention
H.B. 1345 (sections 13 to 15)
Allows districts and charter schools to administer to 9th-12th-grade students the basic skills placement or assessment tests that are used for first-time college freshmen. Districts can administer the test as often as necessary, but the state education departm...

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GASigned into law 05/2012P-12Online Learning
S.B. 289 - Online Learning
Directs the state board to establish rules and regulations to maximize the number of students, beginning with students entering ninth grade in the 2014-2015 school year (Class of 2018), who complete at least one course containing online learning through (1) an...

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IASigned into law 05/2012P-12Class Sharing Agreements
S.F. 2284 -- Division XI
This section adds new language that expands the courses eligible for school aid formula supplementary weighting. A district that collaborates with a community college to provide a college-level class that uses an activities-based, project-based, and problem-ba...

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MESigned into law 05/2012P-12Enhancing Career and Technical Education
S.P. 650
This bill increases opportunities for students in career and technical education programs by ensuring greater coordination of school calendars, requiring that students have access to career and technical education programming for the entire required instructio...

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MISigned into law 05/2012P-12Postsecondary Enrollment Options - High School
S.B. 622
Extends eligibility for postsecondary enrollment options program to students from approved nonpublic charter schools. Limits the number of courses students can take, based on grade level, with an overall cap set at ten courses. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/d...

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MISigned into law 05/2012P-12Career and Technical Preparation Program
S.B. 623
Amends requirements for eligible courses to those that are offered for postsecondary credit or are part of a noncredit occupational training program leading to an industry-recognized credential; Sets limits on the number of courses eligible students may take, ...

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MISigned into law 05/2012P-12Career and Technical Preparation Programs
S.B. 709
Extends access to career and technical preparation programs to students in certain nonpublic schools. Requires that each career and technical preparation program submit an annual report to the department with information on enrollment numbers and course comple...

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MISigned into law 05/2012P-12Postsecondary Enrollment Options Program
S.B. 710
Extends access to postsecondary enrollment options programs to students in certain nonpublic schools. Requires that each eligible postsecondary institutuion submit an annual report to the department with information on enrollment numbers and course completions...

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MSSigned into law 05/2012P-12
Community College
Pilot Program for Dual Enrollment at Community Colleges
S.B. 2792
Authorizes students to dually enroll in their home high school and a local community college in a dual credit program consisting of high school completion courses and a work skills certificate program. Establishes this dual credit option on a pilot program bas...

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TNSigned into law 05/2012P-12
Postsec.
Dual Enrollment & Transfer
S.B. 2809
Provides that a dual credit course created by a high school and community college, whether as an elective or major core requirement, should be transferable to all public postsecondary institutions. Specifies similar transfer guarantees for credits earned by hi...

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VASigned into law 05/2012P-12
Postsec.
Dual Enrollment for High School Students
H.B. 1184
Requires local school boards and community colleges to develop agreements allowing high school students to complete an associate's degree or a one-year Uniform Certificate of General Studies from a community college concurrent with a high school diploma.
http:...

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FLSigned into law 04/2012P-12Dual Enrollment, Early Admission
H.B. 7059 - Dual Enrollment, Early Admission
Repeals 1007.235 related to district interinstitutional articulation agreements, and replaces references to district interinstitutional articulation agreements with references to "dual enrollment articulation agreements." Provides requirements for the developm...

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MNSigned into law 04/2012P-12
Postsec.
Postsecondary Enrollment Options
H.F. 2949
Requires data annually reported to legislative education committees to include data on postsecondary enrollment options, including concurrent enrollment.
Article 1, Sec. 10

Permits the parent of an alternative pupil participating in postsecondary enrolllment...

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MNSigned into law 04/2012P-12Requirements for Career or Technical Education, Vocational Programs
H.F. 2949
Allows any student in grade 10-12 enrolled in a district or American Indian-controlled tribal contract or grant school to enroll in a career or technical education (CTE) course offered by a Minnesota state college or university. Requires a 10th grade student t...

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TNSigned into law 04/2012P-12Dual Enrollment--Vaccination Requirements
H.B. 2229
Provides that a high school must forward the immunization records of students attempting to enroll in postsecondary courses while still enrolled in high school.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB2229.pdf...

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TNSigned into law 04/2012P-12
Postsec.
Accumulation of Postsecondary Credit
H.J.R. 602
Expresses need to expand postsecondary credit-earning opportunities for high school students and urges state education agencies to provide assistance to any organizations conducting a statewide study of the issue.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HJR...

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IDSigned into law 03/2012P-12Dual Enrollment Financial Benefits
H.B. 426
Establishes the "8 in 6 Program" in the State Department of Education that pays for a portion of overload and summer courses for students who agree to take a full course load with the intent of earning up to two years of college credits while still in high sch...

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IDSigned into law 03/2012P-12Dual Credit Course and Online Courses
S.B. 1328
Amends the provisions of Students Come First that were contained in S 1184 (2011) to:
1.) Correct an allocation of funds for districts to meet the state's high school graduation requirements for science and math.
2.) Allow students to participate in the Dual C...

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NMSigned into law 02/2012P-12
Postsec.
Tribal College Dual Credit Programs
S.B. 256
Provides funding for Tribal colleges that participate in the dual credit program for high school students to offset waived tuition and fees; creates the Tribal college dual credit program fund.
http://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/12%20Regular/bills/senate/SB0256.p...

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INAdopted 01/2012P-12Minimum Credits, Core 40 Diploma, Core 40 Diploma with Academic Honors, Core 40 Diploma with Technical Honors
511 IAC 6-7.1-1, 4, 5, 6, 7
Defines "college and career pathway", "quantitative reasoning" course, "priority course list" (for purposes of dual credit), and "dual credit courses". Requires students completing the minimum high school program to earn two credits (1 Carnegie unit) in either...

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+ 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
+ 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