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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 Postsecondary Students--Foster Youth AZ Signed into law 06/2013 Postsec. Foster Care Tuition Waiver S.B. 1208 Directs the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) and each community college district to develop a five-year pilot program to provide those in foster care with a tuition waiver scholarship. Stipulates age, income, residency, and enrollment requirements. http://www.... More... OR Signed into law 05/2013 Postsec. Higher Education for Former Foster Children H.B. 2095 Expands age eligibility in existing law that waives tuition and fees to youth being in a foster home for at least 6 months and entering foster care at least age 14 and not dismissed from care until reaching 16 and also now incorporates American Indian children... More... IL Signed into law 07/2012 Postsec. Foster Youth Scholarships S.B. 2818 Amends provisions regarding scholarships for foster youth. Former language limited scholarship eligibility to children under care, or children formerly under care who have been adopted or in the subsidized guardianship program. New language replaces references... More... WA Signed into law 03/2012 P-12 Educational Success for Youth and Alumni of Foster Care Act. H.B. 2254 Establishes the educational success for youth and alumni of foster care act. Includes in the purpose of the passport to college promise program to improve high school graduation outcomes for foster youth. Adds or replaces requirements for the department of soc... More... CA Signed into law 10/2011 Postsec. Priority Enrollment for Foster Youth A.B. 194 From bill summary: Until January 1, 2017, requires the California State University and each community college district, and requests the University of California, with respect to each campus in their respective jurisdictions that administers a priority enrollm... More... OR Signed into law 07/2011 Postsec. Foster Children H.B. 3471 Requires state institutions of higher education, community colleges and Oregon Health and Science University to waive tuition and fees for current or former foster children under the age of 25. Provides that students are eligible to receive awards for equivale... More... TX Signed into law 06/2011 Postsec. Housing Between Terms for Former Foster Youth H.B. 452 Directs each institution of higher education to assist full-time postsecondary students who have been under the conservatorship of the department of family and protective services in locating temporary housing between academic terms, including summer session. ... More... VT Signed into law 05/2011 P-12 Postsec. Special Needs S.B. 100 - Disabilities Sections Requires schools and local districts coordinate educational services to children and adolescents with a severe emotional disturbance with the department of mental health, the department for children and families, the department of disabilities, aging, and inde... More... MD Signed into law 04/2011 Postsec. Alters Age Foster Care Recipients are Exempt from Specified Tuition H.B. 1208 Alters from 21 to 25 the age before which foster care recipients must be enrolled at public institutions of higher education to be exempt from paying specified tuition. Also alters from 21 to 25 the age before which foster care recipients must be enrolled as c... More... RI Signed into law 06/2010 P-12 Education of Youth in Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Systems H.R. 8109, S.R. 2872 Creates the Task Force on the Education of Children and Youth in the Care of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Directs the task force to make recommendations for:      (1) Identifying challenges to ensuring the educational stability and success ... More... DE Signed into law 05/2010 Postsec. SEED Scholarship S.B. 41 Allows children who are leaving foster care to have access to the SEED scholarship, without the condition that they begin their higher education immediately after high school. Allows them to attend school part-time. These exceptions are necessary because child... More... CA Signed into law 10/2009 Postsec. Community College Postsecondary Housing for Foster Youth A.B. 1393 Requests community college campuses, and requires California State University and University of California campuses that maintain student housing facilities open for occupation during school breaks, or on a year-round basis, to give first priority to current a... More... CA Signed into law 10/2009 Postsec. In-State Tuition for Certain Wards of the State A.B. 669 Allows an exception to the uniform residency requirements for a student 19 years of age or under at the time of enrollment in postsecondary education, who resides in the state and is a dependent or ward of the state through the child welfare system, or was ser... More... TX Signed into law 06/2009 P-12 Postsec. Foster Care Students S.B. 2248 Directs the state education agency to assist the transition of foster care students from one school to another by specified means, including ensuring expedient transfer of student records; developing transition programs to assist a foster care student in his/h... More... IN Signed into law 05/2009 P-12 Postsec. Foster Care H.B. 1681 Relates to educational assistance for foster care youth; requires the state student scholarship commission to annually report to the legislative council concerning data on the individuals who received certain assistance; establishes eligibility requirements fo... More... HI Signed into law 06/2008 Postsec. Community College Higher Education Board Allowances for Former Foster Youth H.B. 1356 (Governor's Package Bill) Expands the definition of former foster youth; clarifies provisions relating to Higher Education Board Allowances for former foster youth; increases the age limit and revises eligibility criteria for such allowances; provides a durati... More... NH Signed into law 07/2007 Postsec. Tuition Waivers for Foster Children S.B. 168 Establishes tuition waivers for foster children at any public postsecondary institution. http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2007/SB0168.html... More... IN Signed into law 05/2007 P-12 Postsec. Eligibility for 21st Century Scholars Program H.B. 1266 Provides that a student who is in foster care or placed in the home of a relative or other unlicensed caretaker may enroll in the 21st Century Scholars program at any time before the student graduates from high school, is not required to be eligible for free o... More... MD Signed into law 05/2007 Postsec. Community College Tuition Waivers for Foster Care Recipients H.B. 1309 Clarifies the definition of a foster care recipient; provides that specified foster youth placed by the Department of Human Resources in out-of-home placements other than foster care homes may be eligible for waiver of tuition and fees at specified institution... More... WA Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Postsec. Passport to College Promise Program Pilot H.B. 1131 Declares an intent to create the passport to college promise pilot program that will have two primary components, as follows: (1) Significantly increasing outreach to foster care youth between the ages of fifteen and eighteen regarding the higher education opp... More... LA Signed into law 06/2006 Postsec. Tuition Waivers for Former Foster Children H.B. 1287 Provides tuition and fee exemptions at public postsecondary education institutions for persons previously in the state's foster care program. http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=406264... More... TN Signed into law 05/2006 Postsec. Tuition Grants for Foster Children H.B. 2809; S.B. 2587 Concerns Lottery, Scholarships and Programs; permits students receiving Tennessee HOPE foster child tuition grants to attend eligible private, as well as public, postsecondary institutions. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB2809.pdf... More... KS Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Postsec. Tuition Waivers for Foster Children S.B. 85 Section 1-10 Establishes the Kansas Foster Child Educational Assistance Act. Provides that the purpose of the act is to establish an educational assistance program under which eligible foster children receive tuition waivers to any area vocational school, area vocational-... More... WA Signed into law 03/2006 P-12 Postsec. Post-School Support for Foster Youth H.B. 2002 Provides that, beginning in 2006, the department shall have the authority to allow up to 50 youth reaching age 18 to continue in foster care or group care as needed to participate in or complete a post-high school academic or vocational program, and to receive... More... 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