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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 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 OR Signed into law 08/2013 P-12 Transition Services for Disabled Students H.B. 2898 Amends existing law to include assistive technology under the list of related services to assist a child with disabilities and defines transition services to be a result-oriented process which focuses on a child's needs to improve academic and functional achie... More... OR Signed into law 07/2013 P-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... TX Signed into law 06/2013 P-12 Disability Awareness Training S.B. 1525 Includes disability awareness training in risk management programs required for members and advisors of student organizations at postsecondary educational institutions. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/pdf/SB01525F.pdf#navpanes=0... More... MD Signed into law 05/2013 Postsec. 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... TN Signed into law 05/2013 Postsec. Financial Aid S.B. 36 Relates to postsecondary financial assistance for students with intellectual disabilities. Details initial and continued eligibility requirements. Stipulates that eligible postsecondary programs will consist of a two-year individualized program of study design... More... WA Signed into law 04/2013 Postsec. Improving Access to Higher Education for Students with Disabilities. S.B. 5180 Develops recommendations through an established task force that will directly increase the success rate for students with disabilities who are transitioning from secondary to postsecondary education, which are distinctively different parts of the educational s... More... MD Signed into law 04/2012 Community College Postsec. Community Colleges - Tuition Waiver for Disabled Individuals H.B. 53 Adds a reason that any resident of the state who is out of the workforce by reason of total and permanent disability who enrolls at a community college in a class that has at least 10 regularly enrolled students can be exempt from payment of tuition: for conti... More... FL Signed into law 06/2011 Postsec. Higher Education Coordinating Council/Articulation Coordinating Committee/Various Postsecondary Provisions H.B. 7151 Establishes the Higher Education Coordinating Council and directs the council to make recommendations on: (1) The primary core mission of public and nonpublic postsecondary education institutions in the context of state access demands and economic development ... More... TX Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Postsec. Dyslexia S.B. 866 Requires that minimum academic qualifications for an educator certificate that requires a bachelor degree to require instruction in detection and education of students with dyslexia. Provides this does not apply to an individual obtaining a certificate through... More... NH Signed into law 05/2011 Postsec. Postsecondary Training for Individuals with Disabilities H.B. 401 Authorizes the labor commissioner to establish a practical experience/training program for individuals with disabilities upon application by a proper post-secondary organization or rehabilitation facility. Allows the labor commissioner to establish a sub-minim... More... NY Signed into law 07/2010 Postsec. Instructional Materials for College Students with Disabilities A.B. 10118 From bill analysis: Extends the expiration date of a provision that requires publishers or manufacturers to provide additional instructional material for college students with disabilities, for an additional 3 years. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fl... More... IL Signed into law 08/2007 Postsec. Information Technology Access Act S.B. 511 Creates the Information Technology Access Act. Requires the department of human Services to convene an advisory working group to develop accessibility standards for electronic and information technology for state entities so that persons with disabilities may ... More... NY Signed into law 07/2007 Postsec. Instructional Materials for College Students with Disabilities S.B. 5476 Establishes a statewide advisory council regarding instructional materials for college students with disabilities. Provides that the advisory council will provide input into policy development, program guidelines and implementation strategies. http://assembly.... More... GA Signed into law 05/2007 P-12 Postsec. Joint Study Committee on Continuing Education and Collegiate Sports Programs for Students with Disabilities H.R. 322 Creates a Joint Study Committee on Continuing Education and Collegiate Sports Programs for Students with Disabilities. Directs the committee to undertake a study of what alternatives are open to the general assembly to identify and create opportunities for stu... More... NM Signed into law 03/2007 Postsec. Community College Student with Disabilities Scholarship Act H.B. 518/S.B. 537 Creates the students with disabilities scholarship act; defines a student with disabilities as a student who has a record of a physical or mental condition that substantially limits one or more major life activities, including attention deficit disorder or oth... More... NM Signed into law 03/2007 Postsec. Community College Full-Time Status for Students With Disabilities S.B. 689 Extends time that students with disabilities can be defined as full time for purposes of eligibility for state lottery scholarship program. http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/07%20Regular/final/SB0689.pdf... More... VT Signed into law 05/2006 Postsec. Community College Transitional Youths H.B. 618 Relates to services for transitional youth; increases the age at which a child may be adjudicated in need of care and supervision; provides that the agency of human services, in consultation with the department of education, shall analyze current law and regul... More... VT Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 Postsec. Disabled Adult Children and College Students on Medical Leave S.B. 285 Relates to coverage of disabled adult children and college students on medical leave; requires a health insurance plan that covers dependent children who are full-time college students beyond the age of 18 to include coverage for a dependent's medically necess... More... MD Signed into law 04/2006 Community College Postsec. Grant Program for Students with Disabilities H.B. 1681 Requires the Maryland Higher Education Commission to establish and administer a grant program for supplemental services and supports for students with disabilities in community colleges; provides for the purpose of the grant program; requires the Commission, i... More... MD (S) THIRD READING PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS (44-2) 04/2005 Community College Postsec. Community College Students with Disabilities Task Force H.B. 1236 Establishing the Community College Students with Disabilities Task Force; providing for the membership and staffing of the Task Force; requiring the Task Force to report its findings by December 1, 2005; and providing for the termination of the Act http://mli... More... MI Signed into law 09/2004 Community College Postsec. 2005 Community Colleges Budget S.B. 1062 Provides community and junior colleges appropriations for fiscal year 2005; provides for community college-level learning disabled students and students who require English as a second language assistance (at-risk students). Requires grant funding to be used t... More... MD Signed into law 04/2004 Postsec. Community College Community College Tuition Waiver H.B. 322 Alters the requirements for exemption from payment of tuition at community colleges for specified individuals; relates to disabled persons or persons receiving retirement benefits under Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Act. http://mlis.state.md.us/2... More... WA Signed into law 03/2004 Postsec. Instructional Materials S.B. 6501 Regards instructional materials for students with disabilities at public and private institutions of higher education; requires publishers and manufacturers of instructional materials to provide such in electronic format agreed upon by the publisher or manufac... More... CA Signed into law 10/2003 Postsec. Disabled Students: Technology Access S.B. 302 Declares the Legislature intended to apply existing provisions requiring compliance with the accessibility requirements of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its implementing regulations for improving accessibility of persons with disabilities to elect... More... NY Signed into law 07/2003 Postsec. Students Instructional Materials S.B. 3306 Requires publishers and manufacturers of instructional materials for students to provide electronic copies of such material for use by disabled persons.... More... NV Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Postsec. Legislative Committee on Persons with Disabilities S.B. 137 Establishes the Legislative Committee on Persons with Disabilities; requiring the Department of Human Resources to submit certain reports to the Committee; requires the committee to conduct a study for the purpose of establishing an Interagency Transition Plan... More... NV Signed into law 05/2003 Postsec. Electronic Instructional Materials S.B. 62 Requires publisher or manufacturer of instructional materials to provide electronic version of such materials for use by university or college students, staff or faculty with print access disabilities who are unable to use standard instructional materials. (BD... More... NM Signed into law 04/2003 P-12 Postsec. Accessible Electronic Formats H.B. 708 Relates to education; provides for accessible electronic formats for individuals with disabilities enrolled in distance learning courses of study and using computer-based instructional materials. http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/03%20Regular/FinalVersions/hou... More... NJ Signed into law 12/2002 Postsec. Reasonable substitution of graduation requirements S.B. 106 Allows students at institutions of higher education who are hearing and visually impaired of learning disabled to be eligible for reasonable substitution of specific courses required for the completion of degree requirements.... More... GA Signed into law 05/2002 P-12 Postsec. Electronic Textbooks at Postsecondary Level H.B. 1342 States that colleges and universities in this state have made diligent efforts to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities requiring alternative formats for textbooks and other printed instructional materials used in postsecondary courses of study, ... More... IN Signed into law 03/2002 P-12 Postsec. Interagency Task Force S.B. 290 Requires the Director of the Division of Special Education to coordinate an interagency task force to review services and funding sources available for children and young adults with disabilities and their families.... More... KY Signed into law 03/2002 Postsec. Developmental Disabilities Council Membership S.B. 131 Replaces the membership of the Council on Postsecondary Education on the Developmental Disabilities Council with a single member of a nongovernmental agency and private nonprofit groups concerned with services for persons with developmental disabilities.... More... SD Signed into law 02/2001 Postsec. Rehabilitation Services to Include Student Tuition/Fees H.B. 1030 Revises the rehabilitation services provided at public cost to disabled and visually impaired persons based on economic need to include postsecondary tuition and fees.... More... CA Vetoed 09/2000 P-12 Postsec. Braille Reading Material A.B. 609 Requires instruction in braille to be provided to each pupil who is functionally blind unless the individualized education program team determines that braille instruction is not appropriate based upon the assessments.... More... RI Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2000 Postsec. transition of students with disabilities H.B. 7466 Amends the composition of the Transition Council by adding a representative from one of the regional education collaboratives.Transition from school to self-sufficient adulthood for students with disabilities... More... OK Signed into law 04/2000 Postsec. Materials for Students With Disabilities in Higher Education H.B. 2586 Ensures that all students with disabilities enrolled in institutions in The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education be afforded the opportunities to succeed; encourages the state institutions of higher education to communicate to all manufacturers and publis... More... KY Signed into law 03/2000 Postsec. Safe Facilities for Students with Disabilities H.B. 321 Requires that each postsecondary education institution with residence facilities have housing and security policies that assure disabled students a safe environment in which to live and study; provides for an appeals process; requires maintenance of a list of ... More... 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