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
+ 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
ORSigned into law 08/2013P-12Accelerated College Credit Programs
S.B. 222
Establishes the Accelerated Learning Committee and outlines committee membership. Directs the committee to examine methods to encourage college credit attainment in high school, emphasizing alignment of funding, assessments, and procedures that encourage effic...

More...
ORSigned into law 08/2013P-12School Capital Improvement Database and Task Force
S.B. 540
Establishes the Task Force on School Capital Improvement Planning and its member make up. Directs the task force to research and recommend to the Oregon Education Investment Board programs and funding sources that respond to evolving methods for delivering edu...

More...
ORSigned into law 08/2013Postsec.Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee
H.B. 2912
Amends the issues to be addressed by the representatives from the department of education, the department of community colleges and workforce development and the bureau of labor and industries to encourage the establishment of joint high school and community c...

More...
ORSigned into law 08/2013Postsec.Special Committee on University Governance and Operations
S.B. 270
Creates the committee, which consists of 10 members: four appointees each from the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House, and two appointees from the governor who also are members of the Oregon Education Investment Board (OEIB). The special committ...

More...
ILPassed 07/2013P-12Advisory Committee on Education Funding
S.R. 431
Creates the Advisory Committee on Education Funding to conduct a thorough review of the existing distribution methods and expenditures of pre-K through grade 12 education funding and make recommendations to implement an education funding system. Directs the Ad...

More...
MEBecame law without governor's signature 07/2013P-12Unfunded Education Mandates
S.R. 322
This resolve directs the Commissioner of Education to establish a task force to review the effect of any federal or state unfunded education mandates on school administrative units and career and technical regions in the State and to evaluate the efficacy of c...

More...
MOSigned into law 07/2013P-12Advisory Council on Education of Gifted and Talented Children
S.B 17
Creates the Advisory Council on the Education of Gifted and Talented Children. The Commissioner must seek the advice of the council regarding all rules and policies to be adopted by the State Board of Education relating to the education of gifted and talented ...

More...
MOSigned into law 07/2013P-12Career and Technical Education Advisory Council
S.B. 17
Establishes the Career and Technical Education Advisory Council. Repeals the State Advisory Committee for Vocational Education. The advisory council must make an annual written report to the State Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education regarding ...

More...
ORSigned into law 07/2013Community CollegeCommunity College Childcare Services
H.B. 3149
Establishes the Task Force on Community College Child Care Services and describes who the members of the committee will be. Responsibilities of the task force include studying the cost of providing child care services to students of community colleges and Ide...

More...
ORSigned into law 07/2013P-12
Postsec.
Task Force on High School and Transition Success for Students with Disabilities
H.B. 2743
Establishes a task force on high school and transition success for students with disabilities. Describes the member make up of the task force and directs the task force to study and make recommendations to improve strategies for high schools to educate studen...

More...
CTSigned into law 06/2013P-12Childhood Obesity Taskforce and Exercise Requirements
H.B. 6525
Establishes a Task Force on Childhood Obesity to study the effects of obesity on children's health. Determines membership and responsibilities of the Task Force.

Requires each local and regional board of education, by October 1, 2013, to adopt policies it dee...

More...
ILTo governor 06/2013P-12Task Force on Civic Education
H.B. 2428
Directs the state board to establish the Task Force on Civic Education. Sets forth provisions concerning the members of the task force. Directs the task force to (1) analyze the current state of civic education in this State; (2) analyze current civic educatio...

More...
ILTo governor 06/2013P-12Young Adults Heroin Use Task Force
H.B. 946
Creates the Young Adults Heroin Use Task Force to address the growing problem of heroin use in high schools. Establishes membership. Directs the task force to conduct a study on the heroin use problem in high schools and suggest programs for high schools to us...

More...
ILTo governor 06/2013P-12Eradicate Domestic Violence Task Force
H.B. 3236
Amends deadline by which the Eradicate Domestic Violence Task Force must submit its findings on best practices and policies (including a plan with a timetable for implementation of school curricula aimed at preventing domestic violence in schools) from April 2...

More...
ILTo governor 06/2013P-12School Security and Standards Task Force
S.B. 1931
Creates the School Security and Standards Task Force within the state board to study the security of Illinois schools, make recommendations, and draft minimum standards for use by schools to make them more secure and to provide a safer learning environment. Se...

More...
ILSigned into law 06/2013P-12
Postsec.
Latino Family Commission
H.B. 3049
Amends the Illinois Latino Family Commission Act. Adds liaisons from the state board, the state board of higher education, and the Illinois Community College Board, among others. Provides that the Illinois Latino Family Commission may receive funding through s...

More...
NVSigned into law 06/2013P-12Task Force on K–12 Public Education Funding
S.B. 500
Creates The Task Force on K–12 Public Education Funding. Charges task force with conducting a review of the report entitled "Study of a New Method of Funding for Public Schools in Nevada;" survey the weighted pupil public education funding formulas which are u...

More...
NVSigned into law 06/2013P-12
Postsec.
English Mastery Council
S.B. 504
Sets forth the membership and duties of the council. The council will have 16 members, including the Superintendent, two higher education faculty members, two K-12 teachers, two parents, four school administrators, one school board member, two businesspeople,...

More...
TXSigned into law 06/2013P-12Expanded Learning Opportunities Council
S.B. 503
Establishes the Expanded Learning Opportunities Council to study and make recommendations concerning expanded learning opportunities for public school students. Establishes membership. Provides "expanded learning opportunities" may be provided by offering rigo...

More...
TXSigned into law 06/2013Postsec.Texas 2036 Commission
H.B. 2036
Creates the Texas 2036 Commission and establishes membership. Directs the commission, with an emphasis on the changing demographics of this state, to assess and identify future higher education and workforce needs in the state and the state's ability to meet t...

More...
TXSigned into law 06/2013P-12District Teacher Mentoring Programs
H.B. 2012 - District Teacher Mentoring Programs
Clarifies provisions regarding release time for mentor teachers to provide mentoring activities. Directs the commissioner of education to annually report to the legislature on the effectiveness of district mentoring programs. By November 1, 2013, directs the g...

More...
WASigned into law 06/2013P-12Comprehensive Initiative to Increase Learning Opportunities and Improve Educational Outcomes in STEM
H.B. 1872
Establishes the STEM education innovation alliance to advise the governor and to provide vision, guidance, assistance, and advice to support STEM initiatives.
Requires the STEM education innovation alliance to initiate its work by aligning and combining pre...

More...
AKPassed 05/2013P-12Task Force on Sustainable Education
H.R. 8
Task Force on Sustainable Education is established for the purpose of examining the efficiency and effectiveness of public education delivery in the state, including
the ability of the state's public schools to prepare students for various rewarding careers ...

More...
COSigned into law 05/2013P-12Early Childhood & School Readiness Legislative Commission
H.B. 1007
Creates the early childhood and school readiness legislative commission to study issues and make recommendations for policy improvement related to early childhood and school readiness, including areas of health, mental health, parental involvement, family supp...

More...
DESigned into law 05/2013P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Establishes the "Blue Collar" Task Force.
S.J.R. 1
The Blue Collar Task Force determines the need for additional state policies or programs to attract and retain "Blue Collar" jobs. Members are named; deadline to report back to the General Assembly is January 23, 2014.
http://legis.delaware.gov/LIS/LIS147.nsf/...

More...
ILPassed 05/2013P-12Truancy in Chicago Public Schools Task Force
H.J.R. 1
Creates the Truancy in Chicago Public Schools Task Force. Establishes membership. Directs the task force to examine issues and make recommendations related to current state board and City of Chicago School District 299 policies regarding truancy and excessive ...

More...
ILPassed 05/2013P-12Advisory Committee on Education Funding
S.J.R. 32
Creates the General Assembly's Advisory Committee on Education Funding to conduct a thorough review of the existing distribution methods and expenditures of education funding pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Directs the committee to make recommendations to i...

More...
ILPassed 05/2013Postsec.Academic Advising of Monetary Award Program Recipients
H.R. 296
Directs the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, consistent with the recommendations of the Monetary Award Program (MAP) task force, to form a working group to examine the best practices for academic advising of higher education students who are Monetary Aw...

More...
ILPassed 05/2013P-12Task Force on Charter School Funding
H.J.R. 36
Resolves that a Task Force on Charter School Funding be created to examine charter school funding issues. Establishes membership. Directs the task force to issue a report making recommendations on changes to state law with regard to charter school funding by J...

More...
INSigned into law 05/2013P-12Early Education Evaluation Program
H.B. 1004
Establishes the Early Education Evaluation Program to gather data concerning the school readiness of low-income children who have received early education services through providers with programs of demonstrated quality that require parental involvement in the...

More...
MDSigned into law 05/2013Postsec.Task Force to Study the Impact of ExpandingCourses for Students with Disabilities
H.B. 813
Establishes the Task Force to Study the Impact of Expanding Credit and Noncredit Courses for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Directs the Task Force to study the impact of
credit and expanding the availability of credit and noncredit...

More...
MDSigned into law 05/2013P-12Commission on Special Education Access and Equity
H.B. 1161
Establishes a Commission on Special Education Access and Equity and specifies what the commission must study. Requires that the commission report its findings and
recommendations by June 30, 2014
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2013RS/bills/hb/hb1161e.pdf...

More...
MDVetoed 05/2013P-12Education - Minority Teacher Recruitment - Study and Report
H.B. 1168
Requires the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), and the University System of Maryland (USM) to study and make recommendations on strategies to increase and improve the recruitment, preparation, devel...

More...
ORSigned into law 05/2013Postsec.Strategies of Facilitating Transfers Between Public Universities and Colleges
H.B. 2979
Requires the higher education coordinating commission convene a work group to examine and recommend adoption of strategies to facilitate student transfers between public colleges and universities in Oregon. Requires the work group to report to the higher educa...

More...
WASigned into law 05/2013P-12Legislative Task Force on Child Care Improvements
SB 5595
Outlines the department of social and health services responsibilities. Establishes a legislative task force on child care improvements, lists task force members, and outlines the task force responsibilities. Requires the task force to address the creation of...

More...
ALPassed 04/2013Postsec.Permanent Committee on University Funding
H.R. 359
Strongly encourages the Alabama Commission on Higher Education to establish and provide support for a Permanent Committee on University Funding. Establishes membership. Charges committee with (1) developing a higher education funding formula that incorporates ...

More...
IDAdopted 04/2013P-12Interim Committee to Study and Strengthen K-12 Educational System
H.C.R. 33
Stating findings of the Legislature and requesting the president pro tempore of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives to appoint an interim committee to undertake and complete a study of how to improve and strengthen Idaho's K-12 education...

More...
MSSigned into law 04/2013P-12School District Financial Procedures and Task Force to Study Teacher Attrition and Retention
S.B. 2138
Mandates state board of education to promulgate rules and regulations regarding school financial reports required to be submitted to the superintendent of the local school board. Amends existing law so that a task force to study strategies for solving the curr...

More...
PASigned into law 04/2013P-12Special Education Finance
H.B. 2
Establishes a Special Education Funding Commission and providing for special education funding for student achievement and instruction of eligible students, special education funding
for eligible students with disabilities and special education accountability....

More...
VAIssued 04/2013P-12Establishing the Governor's Teacher Cabinet
Executive Order No. 63 (2013)
Requires newly-created teacher cabinet to identify additional resources, learning tools and professional development opportunities that the state department of education could make available to local school divisions. Recommends strategies for greater parent a...

More...
MSVetoed 03/2013P-12Creates Task Force to Study Structure of Local School Boards in Mississippi
S.B. 2141
Creates a task force to conduct a study of the selection and governance structure of local school boards in Mississippi. The purpose of such study is to
review current statutory provisions for the selection of school board members and the forms of governance ...

More...
UTSigned into law 03/2013P-12
Postsec.
Education Task Force
S.B. 169
Creates the Education Task Force. Establishes membership of legislative leaders). Directs the task force to review and make recommendations on public education and higher education issues, including:

(1) Long-term education policies to help job creation and ...

More...
UTSigned into law 03/2013P-12Financial and Economic Literacy Education
S.B. 43
Directs the state board to establish a task force to study and make recommendations on improving financial and economic literacy education in the public school system. Requires the task force to study certain issues relating to financial and economic literacy ...

More...
+ 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