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From the ECS State Policy Database 1994-2013

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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 ECS has tracked in this database since 1994. 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. 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--Learnfare Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--No Pass No Drive Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--No Pass No Play Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--Takeovers Accountability--School Improvement Adult Basic Education Assessment Assessment--Accommodations Assessment--College Entrance Exams Assessment--Common Core/National Tests Assessment--Computer Based Assessment--End-of-Course Assessment--Formative/Interim Assessment--High Stakes/Competency Assessment--NAEP (NAEP Results and NAEP Organization) 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 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--Charter Schools--Research 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--Civic Knowledge and Literacy Civic Education--Curriculum/Standards Civic Education--Pledge of Allegiance Class Size Counseling/Guidance Curriculum Curriculum--Alignment Curriculum--Arts Education Curriculum--Censorship Curriculum--Computer Science Curriculum--Core Curriculum Curriculum--Drivers Education Curriculum--Environmental Education Curriculum--Excusal Curriculum--Family Living Education Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed. Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language Curriculum--Geography Education Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education Curriculum--Home Economics Curriculum--International Education Curriculum--Language Arts Curriculum--Language Arts--Writing/Spelling Curriculum--Mathematics Curriculum--Multicultural Curriculum--Physical Education Curriculum--Science Curriculum--Sex Education Curriculum--Social Studies/History Data-Driven Improvement Demographics Demographics--Condition of Children/Adults Demographics--Enrollments Desegregation Economic/Workforce Development Economic/Workforce Development--Value of an Education Education Research Equity Federal Finance Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost Finance--Aid to Private Schools Finance--Bonds Finance--District Finance--Does Money Matter? Finance--Equity Finance--Facilities Finance--Federal Finance--Funding Formulas Finance--Litigation Finance--Local Foundations/Funds Finance--Lotteries Finance--Performance Funding Finance--Private Giving 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--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 Instructional Approaches--Constructivism Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling Instructional Approaches--Homework/Study Skills Instructional Approaches--Official English Instructional Approaches--Problem Based Learning Instructional Approaches--Single-Sex Education Instructional Approaches--Teaching Across Disciplines Instructional Approaches--Time/Time on Task Instructional Approaches--Tracking/Ability Grouping Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools International Baccalaureate International Benchmarking 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--Induction Programs and Mentoring Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Preparation Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Preparation--Alternative Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Professional Development Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Recruitment and Retention Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Tenure Mentoring/Tutoring Middle School Minority/Diversity Issues Minority/Diversity Issues--African American Minority/Diversity Issues--American Indian / Alaska Native / Native Hawaiian Minority/Diversity Issues--Hispanic 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--Special Populations 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 Brain Development P-3 Child Care P-3 Content Standards and Assessment P-3 Data Systems 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 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 Parent/Family--Research Partnerships--University/School Postsecondary Postsecondary Accountability Postsecondary Accountability--Accreditation Postsecondary Accountability--Diploma Mills ND Signed into law 04/2013 Postsec. Authorizations to Operate Postsecondary Institutions H.B. 1103 Creates and enacts chapter 15-18.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to authority of the state board of higher education to provide authorizations to operate postsecondary educational institutions offering instruction at the associate in arts level or... More... LA Signed into law 06/2010 Postsec. Community College Fraudulent Postsecondary Degrees S.B. 94 Relates to a fraudulent postsecondary education degree; to create the crime of the unlawful production, manufacture, distribution, or possession of a fraudulent postsecondary education degree; to provide for definitions; to provide for an effective date; and t... More... WI Signed into law 05/2010 Postsec. Community College S.B. 431 Prohibits a person that holds itself out to the public in any way as a legitimate institution of higher education from using the term "college" or "university" in its name unless the person provides an educational program for which it awards an associate or hi... More... AL Adopted 03/2010 Postsec. Postsecondary Course Offerings by Non-Accredited Institutions 300-2-1-.02 Defines "non-accredited institution" as an institution not accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Requires a non-accredited institution seeking to offer degree programs in Alabama to... More... MI Signed into law 01/2010 Postsec. Proprietary Schools S.B. 786 Provides for the accreditation, regulation and licensing of proprietary schools; authorizes a proprietary school to sell goods or services produced or provided by a student provided that, among other things, money from the sale of the goods or services is used... More... TX Adopted 11/2009 Postsec. Degree-Granting Colleges and Universities 19 TAC 1.7.7.1 -.13 Establishes new rules concerning degree-granting colleges and universities other than Texas public institutions. As stated in the August 7, 2009 Register, "The intent of the re-write is to provide greater transparency of the rules regarding the operation of ou... More... ID Adopted 06/2009 Postsec. Registration of Postsecondary Institutions IDAPA 08.01.11 Clarifies that postsecondary institutions need to register to ensure they are legitimate degree granting institutions and that proprietary schools are legitimate. adm.idaho.gov/adminrules/rules/idapa08/0111.pdf ... More... OR Signed into law 05/2009 Postsec. Diploma Mills S.B. 113 Limits the exemption of certain post-secondary schools and separately accredited campuses from degree requirements of Office of Degree Authorization to nonprofit schools. Chapter 172 http://www.leg.state.or.us... More... OR Signed into law 05/2009 Postsec. Diploma Mills S.B. 114 Prohibits person who receives degree from diploma mill from using disclaimer to claim or represent that person possesses academic degree; declares emergency, effective on passage. Chapter 173 http://www.leg.state.or.us... More... OR Signed into law 05/2009 Postsec. Community College Career/Technical H.B. 2108 Requires school that confers or offers to confer academic degree to be licensed as career school for course or program that does not lead to academic degree until the school meets specified requirements; clarifies the types of schools subject to career school ... More... CO Signed into law 05/2008 Postsec. Community College Diplomas from Private Colleges and Universities S.B. 167 Clarifies the authority related to the authorization to do business for private colleges or universities, bible colleges, and seminaries; permits the Commission on Higher Education to establish fees payable by institutions related to the administration of degr... More... VA Signed into law 03/2008 Postsec. Fraudulent Academic Credentials H.B. 766 Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor (a fine up to $2,500 and/or up to 12 months in jail) to issue or manufacture a fraudulent academic credential or knowingly using a fraudulent academic credential to obtain employment, promotion, licensure, or admission to an inst... More... MD Adopted 08/2007 Postsec. Community College Postsecondary Institution Diploma and Degree Requirements COMAR 13B.02.02.02-.08, .10-.19, .21, .22 Requires the Maryland Higher Education Commission to establish minimum requirements for issuing certificates, diplomas, and degrees by public and nonpublic institutions of postsecondary education. A. The requirements in this chapter apply to all degree-granti... More... RI Signed into law 07/2007 Postsec. Purchase and Sale of Academic Degrees S.B. 392 Prohibits the purchase and sale of academic degrees wherein the degree is obtained on the basis of a combination of a payment of a fee and the attainment of academic credit for so-called life experiences, without the applicant undertaking any coursework. http:... More... CT Signed into law 06/2007 Postsec. Community College Accreditation and Diploma Mill Oversight S.B. 1139 Concerns enhanced enforcement authority by the Department of Higher Education; provides the Board of Governors of Higher Education and the Commissioner of Higher Education with enhanced enforcement authority regarding colleges and universities which are operat... More... OR Signed into law 06/2007 Postsec. Community College Diploma Mills S.B. 198 Allows the Student Assistance Commission to terminate activities of diploma mills and operation of post-secondary accrediting bodies not recognized by United States Department of Education; defines diploma mill; removes the authority of the commission to subst... More... ID Temporary Rule Adoption - Concurrently Proposed 08/2006 Postsec. Registration of Postsecondary Institutions and Proprietary Schools IDAPA 08.01.11 Repeals existing section 08.01.11 in its entirety. Sets forth the registration requirements for postsecondary educational institutions that are required to register with the Idaho State Board of Education ("Board") under Section 33-2402 and -2403 of Idaho Code... More... WA Signed into law 03/2006 Postsec. Community College False Academic Credentials H.B. 2507 Declares that a person is guilty of issuing a false academic credential if the person knowingly: (1) Grants or awards a false academic credential or offers to grant or award a false academic credential in violation of this act; (2) Represents that a credit ear... More... TX Adopted 02/2006 Postsec. Fictitious, Fraudulent or Substandard Degrees 19 TAC 1.7.A.7.3 Adds new definitions pertaining to "fictitious degree," "fraudulent or substandard degree," "protected term." TEXAS 98741... More... MI Signed into law 07/2005 Postsec. Authentic credentials in education S.B. 136 Prohibits the issuance or manufacture of false academic credentials. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/pdf/2005-PA-0100.pdf... More... OR Signed into law 07/2005 Postsec. Disclaimers for Degrees from Non-Approved Institutions S.B. 1039 Allows a person who holds a degree from a post-secondary institution that is not accredited or approved by the Office of Degree Authorization to claim or represent that a person has an academic degree if a disclaimer is included. Directs that Oregon Student As... More... TX Signed into law 06/2005 Postsec. Community College Fraudulent or Substandard Degrees H.B. 1173 Adds Sec. 61.3021. Requires Texas Higher education Coordinating Board (board) by rule to establish a process for reviewing and approving a degree conferred by a person described by Section 61.302(11)(B) or (C). Requires the review process to include a determi... More... ND Signed into law 04/2005 Postsec. Community College Private Postsecondary Institution Operations S.B. 2120 Relates to fees provided to the state board for career and technical education for authorizations to operate private postsecondary institutions; relates to the authorizations to operate private postsecondary institutions and use of false academic degrees; prov... More... CA Vetoed 09/2004 Postsec. Private Postsecondary Education Reform A.B. 711 Relates to the Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education Reform Act of 1989. Defines nationally accredited institution to mean an institution that provides a degree, diploma or certificate and that is accredited by a recognized national institutional accr... More... TN Signed into law 06/2004 Postsec. Community College Higher Education False Credentials H.B. 433 Prohibits the use of false credentials in higher education. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0825.pdf... More... TN Signed into law 05/2004 Postsec. False Academic Degrees S.B. 2305 Concerns criminal offenses; creates Class A misdemeanor for person who knowingly issues, sells or manufactures false academic degree; creates Class C misdemeanor for individual who knowingly uses or claims to have false academic degree to obtain employment, pr... More... WA Signed into law 03/2004 Postsec. Degree Granting Institutions H.B. 2381 Ensures the quality of degree-granting institutions of higher education; relates to the accreditation of and site inspections of such institutions; requires public dissemination of information regarding entities that sell or award degrees without requiring app... More... OR Rule Adoption 10/2003 Postsec. Definitions of School Types OAR 583-050-0006, -0011, -0016, -0031, -0040, -0021 Revises definitions of school types to classify degree-issuing entities as standard, substandard, or diploma mill. Establishes fee schedule for degree validations and school information. OREGON REG 24799 (SN)... More... IL Signed into law 07/2003 Postsec. False Academic Degrees H.B. 1448 Provides it is unlawful for a person to knowingly manufacture or produce a false academic degree or for a person to knowingly use a false academic degree for the purpose of obtaining employment or admission to an Illinois institution of higher learning or admi... More... ND Signed into law 04/2003 Postsec. False Academic Credentials H.B. 1068 Relates to the issuance, manufacture, and use of false academic degrees or certifications; provides a penalty.... More... 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 Faculty--Teaching Assistants 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--HBCUs/Minority-Serving Institutions Postsecondary Institutions--Private/Independent Postsecondary Online Instruction Postsecondary Participation Postsecondary Participation--Access Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements Postsecondary Participation--Affirmative Action 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--International 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 Privatization--Education Management Agencies (EMOs) Proficiency-Based Approaches Promising Practices Promotion/Retention Public Involvement Purposes of Public Education Reading/Literacy Reading/Literacy--Adult Literacy Religion Religion--Prayer/Meditation Religion--Scientific Creationism (Evolution) Remediation (K-12) Rural Scale-Up/Replication Scheduling/School Calendar Scheduling/School Calendar--Day/Class Length Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs Scheduling/School Calendar--Summer School Scheduling/School Calendar--Week Scheduling/School Calendar--Year Scheduling/School Calendar--Year Round School Climate/Culture School Safety School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution School Safety--Code of Conduct School Safety--Corporal Punishment School Safety--Disaster/Emergency Preparedness School Safety--Expulsion/Suspension School Safety--No Child Left Behind--Safe Schools 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--District Size School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities School/District Structure/Operations--Food Service School/District Structure/Operations--Libraries School/District Structure/Operations--Org. (K-3/K-8 etc.) School/District Structure/Operations--Personnel (Non-Teaching) School/District Structure/Operations--School Size 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--Inclusion (Mainstreaming) 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--Immigrant Education Special Populations--Migrant Education Special Populations--Military Standards Standards--Common Core State Standards Standards--Implementation State Comparisons/Statistics State Longitudinal Data Systems State Policymaking State Policymaking--Ballot Questions State Policymaking--Constitutional Clauses State Policymaking--Politics State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions STEM Student Achievement Student Achievement--Closing the Achievement Gap Student Surveys Students Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities Students--Employment 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--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 Attitudes Teaching Quality--Teacher Contracts (Not Tenure) Teaching Quality--Teacher Rights Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining--Strikes Teaching Quality--Working Conditions Technology Technology--Computer Skills Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware Technology--Equitable Access Technology--Funding Issues Technology--Internet Safety Technology--Research/Evaluation Technology--Teacher/Faculty Training Textbooks and Open Source Urban Urban--Change/Improvements Urban--Governance Whole-School Reform Models