From the ECS State Policy Database - Highlighted Policies

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. Please cite use of the database as: Education Commission of the States (ECS) State Policy Database, retrieved [date]. Status/Date State Level Summary 21st Century Skills Accountability Accountability--Accreditation Accountability--Measures/Indicators Accountability--Reporting Results Accountability--Rewards Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions 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--Formative/Interim Assessment--Performance Based/Portfolio Assessment--Value Added 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 Business Involvement Career/Technical Education Career/Technical Education--Career Academies/Apprenticeship Cheating Choice of Schools--Charter Schools Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Finance Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment Choice of Schools--Innovation Schools Choice of Schools--Tax Credits Choice of Schools--Vouchers Civic Education Civic Education--Character Education Class Size Counseling/Guidance Curriculum Curriculum--Arts Education Curriculum--Drivers Education Curriculum--Excusal Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed. Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language Curriculum--Geography Education Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education Curriculum--International Education Curriculum--Language Arts--Writing/Spelling Curriculum--Mathematics Curriculum--Physical Education Curriculum--Science Data-Driven Improvement Desegregation Economic/Workforce Development Education Research Equity Federal Finance Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost Finance--District Finance--Equity Finance--Facilities Finance--Federal Finance--Funding Formulas Finance--Performance Funding Finance--Resource Efficiency Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures Finance--Taxes/Revenues Finance--Taxes/Revenues--Alternative Revenues Governance Governance--Deregulation/Waivers/Home Rule Signed into law 07/2010 FL P-12 Repeals Deregulated Public Schools Pilot Program HB 7037 - Sec 29 and 30 Repeals 1003.63, which created the deregulated public schools pilot program. Also repeals subsection (7) of section 1008.345, which allowed schools earning an "A" grade in the state accountability system to receive deregulated status upon the school's request.... More... Signed into law 06/2010 LA P-12 School Waivers from Regulations H.B. 1368 Authorizes the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to exempt districts from various laws and regulations pertaining to education; to provide procedures regarding request for and approval of such waivers, including schools within the Recovery Scho... More... Adopted 11/2009 GA P-12 LEA Contracts for Flexibility and Accountability GAC 160 -5-1-.33 Renames rule (previously titled "School District Contracts for Flexibility and Accountability to Improve Student Achievement") to "Investing in Educational Excellence (IE2): Local Education Agency Contracts for Flexibility and Accountability". Amends rule, whi... More... Adopted 11/2009 IL P-12 Public Schools Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision 23 IAC 1.20, .30, .100, .240, .420, .465, .480, .510, .737 Partially from "Notice of Adopted Amendments" in Illinois Register (changes from this rulemaking but not listed below are technical in nature or echo recent changes in legislation): Section 1.20: Revised to distinguish among the appropriate levels of sign-of... More... Signed into law 07/2009 OH P-12 Waivers from Financial Requirements H.B. 1 - Section 3306.40 Authorizes local boards to apply to the state superintendent for waivers from financial provisions established in Chapter 3306, including any applicable expenditure or reporting standard prescribed by rule adopted by statutory requirement, or or a waiver of an... More... Signed into law 07/2009 OH P-12 Limitation to Waivers H.B. 1 - Section 3302.05 and 3302.07 Existing law allows waivers from certain state mandates to school districts identified as "excellent" or "effective" under the state accountability system. New provision provides that such districts may not be released from any standard or requirement of Chapt... More... Adopted 03/2009 OH P-12 Exemptions from Statutes/Rules OAC 3301-46-01 Authorizes the governing board of any educational service center, or the administrative authority of any chartered nonpublic school to submit an application to the state board for an exemption from specific statutes and/or rules in order to implement a propose... More... Adopted 03/2009 OH P-12 Innovative Education Pilot Programs OAC 3301-46-01 Authorizes the governing board of any educational service center or the administrative authority of any chartered nonpublic school to submit an application for exemption from state policies in order to implement a proposed innovative education pilot program. A... More... Signed into law 04/2008 GA P-12 Flexibility in Exchange for Increased Accountability H.B. 1209 Relates to elementary and secondary education; provides that a local school system may enter into a contract with the state board of education for increased flexibility in exchange for increased accountability; relates to waivers to improve student performance... More... Signed into law 08/2007 IL P-12 Waiver/Modification of Physical Education Mandate H.B. 1839 Provides that a state-board approved waiver from or modification to a physical education mandate may remain in effect for a period not to exceed 2 school years and may be renewed no more than 2 times upon application by the eligible applicant. http://www.ilga.... More... Signed into law 04/2007 IA P-12 Waivers from Certain Staffing Requirements S.F. 277 (Section 5 and 8) Section 5: Strikes and rewrites section 256.11A. Authorizes the board of directors of a school district to file a request by August 1, 2007 for a waiver from the following requirements for the 2007-2008 school year: a. Apply for a one-year extension of a waiv... More... Signed into law 05/2006 TN P-12 School District Waivers H.B. 3172; S.B. 3125 Permits local education agencies to seek waivers from department of education of any rule or statute that inhibits the LEA's ability to achieve its mission; the commissioner may not waive requirements related to:civil rights, health and safety, public records,... More... Signed into law 03/2006 MS P-12 Exempting Level 4 or 5 Accredited Districts from Certain Requirements H.B. 1121 Relates to school districts; establishes home rule; exempts Level 4 or 5 accredited districts from certain requirements. Authorizes the State Board of Education to exempt any school district meeting Level 4 or 5 state accreditation standards from any compulsor... More... Adopted 10/2005 GA P-12 Waiver Requests GAC 160-1-3-.02 Clarifies rules so that school systems may apply for waivers of certain education law for the purpose of increasing student achievement. AGENCY CONTACT: Patricia L. Mills, Department of Education, 2052 Twin Towers East, Atlanta, GA 30334, 404- 656-4689, fax 4... More... Signed into law 04/2005 WV P-12 Local Government Flexibility Act S.B. 419 Creates a pilot program; cites the Local Government Flexibility Act of 2005; relates to the ability of local government and school districts to request waivers. http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2005_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/SB419%20SUB1.htm... More... Signed into law 07/2004 IL P-12 School Code Waivers S.B. 3091 Amends the School Code. Allows a joint agreement made up of school districts or a regional superintendent of schools on behalf of schools and programs operated by the regional office of education to apply for a waiver or modification of mandates within the Sch... More... Signed into law 05/2003 TN P-12 Public Education S.B. 1024 Allows the Commissioner of Education to authorize up to 16 school systems to operate as alternative education programs which emphasize school-based decision making. Current law authorizes up to eight school systems to operate such programs. Raises the maximum... More... Signed into law 04/2003 NM P-12 Waivers for High Performing Schools S.B. 80 Allows for the waiver of certain requirements for schools that exceed educational standards; waivers may be given for accreditation review, length of school day, individual class load requirement, subject area requirement, graduation requirement, school person... More... Signed into law 04/2001 ND P-12 Waivers S.B. 2166 Allows any school or school district to apply to the superintendent of public instruction for a waiver of any rule governing the accreditation of schools, provided the waiver encourages innovation, has the potential to result in improved education opportuniti... More... Signed into law 03/2000 KY P-12 Waivers H.B. 884 Authorizes the Kentucky Board of Education, at the request of a local school district superintendent, to waive reporting and paperwork requirements upon a finding of good cause, except reports required by federal law or related to health, safety, or civil righ... More... 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 High School High School--Advanced Placement High School--College Readiness 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--Constructivism Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling Instructional Approaches--Single-Sex Education Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools International Baccalaureate Leadership Leadership--District Superintendent 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--Recruitment and Retention Mentoring/Tutoring Middle School Minority/Diversity Issues--African American Minority/Diversity Issues--American Indian / Alaska Native / Native Hawaiian No Child Left Behind No Child Left Behind--Adequate Yearly Progress No Child Left Behind--Assessment No Child Left Behind--Choice/Transfer No Child Left Behind--Consequences for Schools No Child Left Behind--Finance No Child Left Behind--Parent Involvement No Child Left Behind--Reauthorization Issues/Waivers No Child Left Behind--Report Cards 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 Early Intervention (0-3) 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 Kindergarten--Full-Day Kindergarten P-3 Preschool Parent/Family Partnerships--University/School Postsecondary Postsecondary Accountability Postsecondary Accountability--Accreditation Postsecondary Accountability--Diploma Mills Postsecondary Affordability Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid Postsecondary Affordability--Textbooks Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Undocumented Immigrants Postsecondary Faculty Postsecondary Faculty--Compensation Postsecondary Faculty--Intellectual Property Postsecondary Faculty--Teaching Assistants Postsecondary Faculty--Tenure Postsecondary Finance Postsecondary Finance--Efficiency/Performance-Based Funding Postsecondary Governance and Structures Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges Postsecondary Institutions--Private/Independent Postsecondary Online Instruction Postsecondary Participation--Access Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements Postsecondary Participation--Outreach Postsecondary Students--Foster Youth Postsecondary Students--Graduate/Professional Postsecondary Students--Low-Income Postsecondary Students--Minority Postsecondary Success Postsecondary Success--Completion Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation Postsecondary Success--Retention/Persistence Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation Proficiency-Based Approaches Promising Practices Promotion/Retention Public Involvement Reading/Literacy Remediation (K-12) 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--Disaster/Emergency Preparedness School Safety--Sexual Harassment and Assault 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--Libraries School/District Structure/Operations--Personnel (Non-Teaching) School/District Structure/Operations--School Size School/District Structure/Operations--Shared Services School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation Social/Emotional Learning and Non-Cognitive Skills Special Education Special Education--Finance Special Education--Inclusion (Mainstreaming) Special Education--Transition Special Populations--Corrections Education Special Populations--Foster Care Special Populations--Gifted and Talented Special Populations--Homeless Education 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 Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities 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--Highly Qualified Teachers Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Natl. Bd. for Prof. Teach. Stds. Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Special Education 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--Tenure or Continuing Contract Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining Technology Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware Technology--Funding Issues Technology--Teacher/Faculty Training Textbooks and Open Source Urban