ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2013 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 2013. 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
+ 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--Common Core/National Tests
+ Assessment--End-of-Course
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol
+ Attendance
+ Attendance--Compulsory
+ Attendance--Statutory Ages (Upper and Lower)
+ Attendance--Truancy
+ Background Checks
+ Bilingual/ESL
+ Brain Research
+ Business Involvement
+ Career/Technical Education
+ Career/Technical Education--Career Academies/Apprenticeship
+ Cheating
+ Choice of Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Charter Districts
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Closings
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Cyber Charters
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Finance
+ Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment
+ Choice of Schools--Innovation Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Magnet or Specialized Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Tax Credits
+ Choice of Schools--Vouchers
+ Choice of Schools--Vouchers--Privately Funded
+ Civic Education
+ Civic Education--Character Education
+ Civic Education--Curriculum/Standards
+ Class Size
+ Counseling/Guidance
+ Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Arts Education
+ Curriculum--Computer Science
+ Curriculum--Drivers Education
+ Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed.
+ Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language
+ Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education
+ Curriculum--Language Arts--Writing/Spelling
+ Curriculum--Mathematics
+ Curriculum--Physical Education
+ Curriculum--Science
+ Curriculum--Sex Education
+ Curriculum--Social Studies/History
+ Data-Driven Improvement
+ Demographics--Enrollments
+ Economic/Workforce Development
+ Economic/Workforce Development--Value of an Education
+ Education Research
+ Equity
+ Federal
+ Finance
+ Finance--Bonds
+ Finance--District
+ Finance--Facilities
+ Finance--Funding Formulas
+ Finance--Lotteries
+ Finance--Performance Funding
+ 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--Regional Entities
+ Governance--School Boards
+ Governance--School Boards--Training
+ Governance--Site-Based Management
+ Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies
+ Health
+ Health--Child Abuse
+ Health--Mental Health
+ Health--Nutrition
+ Health--School Based Clinics or School Nurses
+ Health--Suicide Prevention
+ Health--Teen Pregnancy
+ 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
+ Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ Instructional Approaches--Problem Based Learning
+ Instructional Approaches--Single-Sex Education
+ Instructional Approaches--Teaching Across Disciplines
+ Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
+ 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--Induction Programs and Mentoring
+ 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
+ Minority/Diversity Issues--Hispanic
+ No Child Left Behind--Adequate Yearly Progress
+ No Child Left Behind--Assessment
+ No Child Left Behind--Reauthorization Issues/Waivers
+ 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 Early Intervention (0-3)
+ P-3 English Language Learners (ELL)
+ P-3 Ensuring Quality
+ P-3 Evaluation/Economic Benefits
+ 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 Public/Private Partnerships
+ P-3 Special Ed./Inclusion
+ P-3 Teaching Quality/Professional Development
+ P-3 Technology
+ Parent/Family
+ Parent/Family--Parent Rights
+ Partnerships--University/School
+ Postsecondary
+ Postsecondary Accountability
+ Postsecondary Accountability--Accreditation
+ Postsecondary Accountability--Diploma Mills
+ Postsecondary Accountability--Licensing/Program Review and Approval
+ Postsecondary Accountability--Student Learning
+ 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--Intellectual Property
+ 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 Online Instruction
+ Postsecondary Participation
+ Postsecondary Participation--Access
+ Postsecondary Participation--Affirmative Action
+ Postsecondary Participation--Outreach
+ Postsecondary Students
+ Postsecondary Students--Adults
+ Postsecondary Students--Disabled
+ Postsecondary Students--Foster Youth
+ Postsecondary Students--Graduate/Professional
+ Postsecondary Students--Low-Income
- Postsecondary Students--Military
DESigned into law 09/2013Postsec.Delaware Veterans Trust Fund
H.B. 85
Grants authority to the Delaware Commission of Veterans' Affairs to establish and administer the Delaware Veterans Trust Fund which allows honorably discharged Delaware veterans to petition the Fund for financial assistance relative to education. http://www.le...

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RISigned into law 07/2013P-12Credit for Military Training
H.B. 5711, S.B. 638
Requires that all higher education institutions in the state adopt a policy and promulgate regulations to award educational credits to veterans enrolled in their institution for courses that were part of the student's military training.
http://webserver.rilin...

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ILTo governor 06/2013Postsec.Priority University/College Enrollment for Service Members and Veterans
S.B. 2245
Requires that the governing board of each public university and community college give a service member or veteran the earliest possible enrollment opportunity that the institution offers. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/98/SB/PDF/09800SB2245lv.pdf...

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NHSigned into law 06/2013Postsec.Credit for Military Service, Training and Experience
H.B. 519
Requires that the division of higher education in the department of education develop and adopt a policy on academic credit for a student's military occupation, military training, coursework, and experience, and to consult with institutions of higher education...

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ORSigned into law 06/2013Postsec.Purple Heart Veteran Education Benefits
H.B. 2158
Amends existing law to require that the student provide proof that the student has established a physical presence in Oregon within 12 months of being enrolled at the public university or community college. Allows for the amount of tuition waived under this se...

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SCSigned into law 06/2013Postsec.Postsecondary Credit for Military Training
S.B. 417
Provides a public, postsecondary institution may award educational credit to an honorably discharged member of the Armed Forces for a course that is part of military training. Requires institution to implement related policies, regulations within a specified t...

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TXSigned into law 06/2013Postsec.Veterans in Higher Education
S.B. 1158
Amends eligibility requirements for tuition exemption for spouses and children of veterans; requires veteran to either be totally and permanently disabled or meet the eligibility requirements for individual unemployability. Transfers oversight of program from ...

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TXSigned into law 06/2013Postsec.Readmission of Veterans to Graduate/Professional Programs; Study of Education Benefits and Tuition Exemptions
S.B. 1159
Requires a general academic teaching institution or a medical and dental unit to readmit a person who was initially offered admission to, but did not enter or withdrew from, a graduate or professional program due to deployment on active military duty outside t...

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ALSigned into law 05/2013Postsec.Postsecondary Military Students and Licensure Renewal for Deployed Military
H.B. 338
Requires board of a state public educational institution, community college, or technical school to adopt, by December 31, 2013, a policy requiring each institution under the board's supervision to award credit to students for prior military training or servic...

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ALSigned into law 05/2013Postsec.Residency Determination for Military Students, Spouses, and Dependents
H.B. 424
Requires a public postsecondary institution, for purposes of admission and tuition, to consider as a resident student a full-time active duty member of the U.S. armed forces stationed in Alabama (or spouse), or a member of the Alabama National Guard or veteran...

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INSigned into law 05/2013Postsec.Tuition Rates for Veterans
S.B. 177
Provides that qualified veterans are eligible for the resident tuition rate for undergraduate courses upon enrolling in a state educational institution not later than 12 months after discharge or separation from the United States armed forces or Indiana Nation...

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MTSigned into law 05/2013Postsec.Scholarships for Montana Purple Heart recipients
H.B. 447
Provides higher education scholarships for eligible Montana Purple Heart recipients.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2013/billpdf/HB0447.pdf...

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WVSigned into law 05/2013Postsec.Veteran Advocates
H.B. 2490
Directs postsecondary institutions to establish and implement measures to improve veteran access, retention, and degree completion. Stipulates specific measures, including awarding prior learning, providing financial and psychological counseling, and veteran-f...

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AKSigned into law 04/2013Postsec.Military Training for Transferable Credit/Temporary License
H.B. 84
Accepts military education, training, and service for some or all of the qualifications otherwise required of an applicant for a license or certificate provided the
service is substantially equivalent to some or all of the qualifications otherwise required an...

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INSigned into law 04/2013Postsec.Combat to College Program.
S.B. 115
Creates and defines the Combat to College program. Each state institution that has at least 200 veterans enrolled will create a Combat to College program. Defines program requirements, role of program coordinator.
http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2013/SE/SE...

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KSSigned into law 04/2013Postsec.Credit for Online Courses - Military Students
H.B. 2181
Authorizes a licensing body to waive educational requirements towards certification or licensure for any former military service member who completes a distance education course through an accredited educational institution.
http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b20...

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KSSigned into law 04/2013Postsec.Credit for Military Training
H.B. 2078
Authorizes certain licensing boards to accept education, training or experience completed in the military towards licensure.
http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2013_14/measures/documents/hb2078_enrolled.pdf...

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ORSigned into law 04/2013Postsec.Exemption From Nonresident Status for Higher Education
H.B. 2787
Provides exemption from nonresident status for higher education to students (or students who are financially dependent upon a person who is
not a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States) who are not United States residents and attending a p...

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WASigned into law 04/2013Postsec.Early Course Registration Period for Eligible Veterans and National Guard Members
H.B. 1109
Mandates institutions of higher education that offer an early course registration period for any segment of the student population to have a process in place to offer students who are eligible veterans or national guard members early course registration. New s...

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WASigned into law 04/2013Postsec.Rights of Higher Education Students Involved in Military Service
S.B. 5343
Grants attendance flexibility towards active service members of the Washington national guard or any other military reserve or guard component who is a student at an institution of higher education and who is ordered for a period of thirty days or less to eith...

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MTSigned into law 03/2013Postsec.Credit for Prior Learning Through Military Service
H.B. 317
Authorizes the commissioner to develop criteria for awarding academic credit at a postsecondary institution for a student's prior learning through military service
and submit a proposed policy that incorporates those criteria to the board of regents for approv...

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NMSigned into law 03/2013Postsec.Military War Veteran Scholarship Fund
H.B. 247
Partially from bill analysis: Defines military war veteran and permits the higher education department to administer the fund and make disbursements from it to reimburse postsecondary educational institutions under the exclusive control of the state for milita...

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UTSigned into law 03/2013Postsec.College Credits for Veterans
H.B. 254
Requires an institution within the state higher education system to award credit for military service and training as recommended by a postsecondary accreditation agency or association designated by the state board of regents or the Utah College of Applied Tec...

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+ Postsecondary Students--Minority
+ Postsecondary Success
+ Postsecondary Success--Completion
+ Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation
+ Postsecondary Success--Retention/Persistence
+ Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation
+ Private Schools
+ Privatization
+ Proficiency-Based Approaches
+ Promotion/Retention
+ Purposes of Public Education
+ Reading/Literacy
+ Religion
+ Remediation (K-12)
+ Rural
+ Scale-Up/Replication
+ Scheduling/School Calendar
+ 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/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--Personnel (Non-Teaching)
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Shared Services
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Staffing Ratios
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation
+ Service-Learning
+ Social/Emotional Learning and Non-Cognitive Skills
+ 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--Task Forces/Commissions
+ STEM
+ Student Achievement
+ Student Achievement--Closing the Achievement Gap
+ Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities
+ Students--Incentives
+ Students--K-12 Exchange Students
+ Students--Mobility
+ 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--Natl. Bd. for Prof. Teach. Stds.
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Special Education
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--State Prof. Standards Bds.
+ 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--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 Attitudes
+ Teaching Quality--Teacher Contracts (Not Tenure)
+ Teaching Quality--Teacher Rights
+ Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract
+ Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining
+ Technology
+ Technology--Computer Skills
+ Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware
+ Technology--Internet Safety
+ Technology--Teacher/Faculty Training
+ Textbooks and Open Source