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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 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 TX Signed into law 06/2013 P-12 Time Frame for Commissioner to Issue a Decision in an Appeal H.B. 2952 Requires the commissioner of education to issue a decision in certain appeals against a school district not later than the 240th day after the date the appeal is filed. Permits the parties to the appeal to agree in writing to extend, by not more than 60 days, ... More... AZ Signed into law 05/2013 P-12 Modifies Teacher Dismissal Policies H.B. 2500 - Tenure Modifies teacher dismissal and nonrenewal policies and procedures (see companion policy record for evaluation elements). ·          Replaces references to "certificated teacher who has not been employed by the school district for more than the major portion of... More... SC Signed into law 05/2013 P-12 Teacher Employment H.J.R. 3453 Requires local school districts to notify teachers of their employment for the 2013-2014 academic year by May 5, 2013. Provides that a continuing contract teacher who is being recommended for formal evaluation the following school year must be notified in writ... More... CO To governor 04/2013 P-12 Confidentiality of K-12 Educator Performance Data H.B. 1220 Authorizes access to a teacher's evaluation reports for an individual responsible for reviewing a nonprobationary teacher's appeal. Provides nothing in statute prohibits a district or board of cooperative services (BOCES) from collecting information on an indi... More... VA Signed into law 03/2013 P-12 School personnel evaluation policies and grievance procedures. H.B. 2151/S.B. 1223 Makes several changes to the processes by which teachers and certain administrators are evaluated and to the grievance procedure process. Requires teachers, assistant principals, and principals to be evaluated every year, either formally or informally, and suc... More... NJ Signed into law 08/2012 P-12 Teacher Evaluation and Tenure S 1455 Creates the Teacher Effectiveness and Accountability for the Children of New Jersey (TEACHNJ) Act. Defines "evaluation" as a process based on the individual's job description, professional standards and Statewide evaluation criteria that incorporates analysis... More... OH Signed into law 06/2012 P-12 Teacher and Administrator (Not Superintendent) Contract Renewal/Non-Renewal S.B. 316 - Teacher and Administrator (Not Superintendent) Contract Renewal/Non-Renewal From final bill analysis: Extends the deadlines for a district or educational service center (ESC) to notify a teacher or administrator that the person's contract will not be renewed for the following school year, as follows: (1) From April 30 to June 1, in th... More... SC Signed into law 06/2012 P-12 Teacher Induction Period H.B. 3028 Extends the induction contract period from one year to three years. After three years, a teacher is eligible for employment at the annual contract level. http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess119_2011-2012/bills/3028.htm... More... CT Signed into law 05/2012 P-12 Teacher Tenure S.B. 458 (Sec. 57) Requires school superintendents to incorporate evaluations into decisions about granting tenure to all certified professional school board employees below the rank of school superintendent who are defined collectively as "teachers" and gives local an... More... TN Signed into law 05/2012 P-12 Teacher Tenure S.B. 2693 Provides that a tenured teacher dismissed because of abolition of a position shall be placed on a list for reemployment in the first vacancy the teacher is qualified by training and experience to fill. Forbids director of schools or board of education from usi... More... TX Adopted 05/2012 P-12 Hearings and Appeals 19 TAC 157.1041, 1055, 1071, 1072, 1081, 1082, 1083, 1084, 1101, 1102,1103 Amends various sections concerning hearings and appeals that address general provisions for hearings before the commissioner of education, specific appeals to the commissioner, hearings of appeals arising under federal law and regulations, and hearings conduct... More... KY Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Assignment of Certified or Classified Staff to Alternative Education Programs H.B. 168 Defines "alternative education program." Prohibits a superintendent from assigning an employee to an alternative education program in the disposition of any disciplinary action involving the employee, or as part of a corrective action plan established pursuant... More... LA Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Teacher Reduction in Force and Dismissals H.B. 974 - RIF Section Requires school boards to adopt policies that delegate reduction in force to local superintendents to dismiss teachers and other employees. Requires reduction in force policies to be based solely upon demand, performance, and effectiveness, as determined by t... More... LA Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Teacher Tenure, Dismisal and Evaluation H.B. 974 Eliminates teacher tenure for new employees hired after July 2012. Teachers rated highly effective for five years within a six-year period will be granted tenure, other teachers remain at-will employees. Tenured teachers rated ineffective will lose tenure. Tea... More... MN Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Nonrenewal and Suspensions of Teacher Contracts H.F. 2949 Amends the date by which a local board must notify a probationary teacher of nonrenewal of teacher's contract for the following school year, from June to July 1. [Article 2, Sec. 5, Subd. 5] Provides that, for teachers charged with felonies that are grounds f... More... TN Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Teacher Suspension, Dismissal H.B. 2237 Provides a director of schools may suspend a teacher at any time that may seem necessary prior to dismissal occurring, pending investigation. Finds teacher shall be paid if reinstated. Details redress privileges of tenured teachers. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/... More... NY Signed into law 03/2012 P-12 Hearing Officers and Disciplinary Hearings A.B. 9057 - Hearing Officers and Disciplinary Hearings Part 2, Section 1: Amends provisions related to disciplinary hearings for school employees with tenure. Amends provisions related to the compensation and mutual identification of hearing officers. Directs the commissioner of education to establish a schedule f... More... SD Signed into law 03/2012 P-12 Teacher Tenure H.B. 1234 Provides that any teacher who is not in or beyond the fourth consecutive term of employment with the school district prior to July 1, 2016, will receive a contract for a period of employment up to one year and will be considered non-tenured. (Sec. 47) Provid... More... TN Signed into law 03/2012 P-12 Teacher Evaluations- Transfer H.B. 2328 Requires local boards of education to consider a transferring teacher's evaluations from a prior LEA in making tenure decisions. Allows the local board to shorten the probationary period for a teacher transferring into the LEA under certain circumstances. htt... More... VA Signed into law 03/2012 P-12 Teachers; Date Changes for Contract Renewal for Those Without Continuing Contract Status S.B. 278/H.B. 76 Shifts the date of effective contract renewal for those teachers without continuing contract status from April 15 to June 15. This bill is identical to HB 76. http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?121+ful+SB278ER+pdf... More... WI Signed into law 02/2012 P-12 Notification of nonrewal or renewal S.B. 2 - Contract Renewal Elements Moves date for notification of teacher contract renewals/nonrenewals from March 15 to May 15. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/related/acts/114... More... OH Repealed by referendum 11/2011 P-12 Teacher Tenure S.B. 5 - Teacher Tenure Abolishes continuing contracts for teachers, except for those continuing contracts in existence prior to the effective date of the bill. Revises the law relating to limited contracts. For teachers holding contracts prior to the effective date of amendments, co... More... OH Repealed by referendum 11/2011 P-12 Teacher, Principal, Superintendent and Other Employee Compensation S.B. 5 - Compensation sections --Public employee pay: Does away with salary schedules and replaces with salary "ranges." Requires performance-based pay for teachers and nonteaching school employees. Requires a school board to measure performance by considering the level of license the teach... More... CT Signed into law 07/2011 P-12 Teaching Specialized Courses/Teacher Contract Renewal Notification H.B. 6499 - Sec. 3, 14 Sec. 3 - Allows the Commissioner of Education, upon request from a board of education for a district that has a school with grades K-8, to permit a certified teacher employed by such board in such school who holds an endorsement in elementary education and who... More... CT Signed into law 07/2011 P-12 Secondary School Reform Act Delay/Teacher Evaluations/Tenure/Student Governance Councils/6th Grade Student Success Plan H.B. 6498 Secondary School Reform Act - Delays by two years the implementation of the secondary school reform requirements enacted in 2010 that: (1) Increase the minimum number of credits required to graduate from high school; (2) Require school districts to offer stude... More... IN Signed into law 07/2011 P-12 Teacher Evaluations and Renewal S.B. 1--Teachers Establishes an annual staff performance evaluation that categorizes teachers as highly effective, effective, improvement necessary, or ineffective. Allows school corporations to meet requirements for evaluation plans by using any of the following models: A pla... More... IN Signed into law 07/2011 P-12 Probationary Status and Cancellation of Teacher Contracts S.B. 1 - Teacher Contract Renewal Adds new sections of law (20-28-6-7.5 and 20-28-7.5). PROBATIONARY STATUS: For teachers not under contract prior to 7/2012, a teacher is considered probationary if he/she was under contract after 7/2011, has not yet received a rating or receives a rating of in... More... MI Signed into law 07/2011 P-12 Continuing Tenure of Certificated Teachers H.B. 4625 From Legislative Staff Summary: Specifies that a probationary teacher rated as effective or highly effective is not subject to displacement by a tenured teacher solely because the other teacher is on continuing tenure. Increases the probationary period from fo... More... MI Signed into law 07/2011 P-12 Amends Teacher Tenure Law H.B. 4626 From Legislative Staff Summary - Allows a teacher on continuing tenure to be dismissed or demoted for a reason that is not arbitrary and capricious, rather than for reasonable and just cause. Revises the definition of "demote". Allows a controlling board to pl... More... MI Signed into law 07/2011 P-12 Certain Subjects Excluded From Collective Bargaining Agreement H.B. 4628 From Legislative Staff Summary - Amends the public employment relations Act to prohibit decisions about the following subjects from being included in collective bargaining between a public school employer and a representative of its employees: (1) Teacher plac... More... MN Signed into law 07/2011 P-12 Evaluations of Probationary Teachers H.F. 26 Requires a school board to adopt a plan for at least three written periodic evaluations of probationary teachers throughout a school year. Requires the first evaluation to occur within the first 90 days of teaching service. (Article 2, Sec 12) http://wdoc.hous... More... MN Signed into law 07/2011 P-12 Probationary Period, Discharge or Demotion H.F. 26 For teachers in first class city school districts, requires a school board to adopt a plan for at least three written periodic evaluations of probationary teachers throughout a school year. Requires the first evaluation to occur within the first 90 days of tea... More... MN Signed into law 07/2011 P-12 Professional Development, Evaluation, and Peer Coaching H.F. 26 Allows a school board and the exclusive representative of the teachers to develop through joint agreement a teacher evaluation and peer review process, premised on the content of this section, for probationary and continuing contract teachers. Establishes an... More... NH Became law without governor's signature 07/2011 P-12 Regulations for Nonrenomination or Nonreelection of Teachers S.B. 196 Amends the length of time required for a teacher to be entitled to the rights of notification and hearing for failure to be renominated or reelected. Declares that in cases of nonrenomination or nonreelection because of reduction in force, the reduction in for... More... TX Signed into law 07/2011 P-12 Voiding of Staff Contracts S.B. 8 - Voiding and Nonrenewal of Staff Contracts From bill summary: Revises and expand the grounds for rendering a district employee's probationary, continuing or term contract void on the basis of a failure to meet certain requirements relating to the employee's certification and revises a district's author... More... TX Signed into law 07/2011 P-12 Employees with Void Contracts S.B. 8 - Employees with Void Contracts From bill summary: Revises and expands the grounds for rendering a district employee's probationary, continuing or term contract void on the basis of a failure to meet certain requirements relating to the employee's certification and revises a district's autho... More... TX Signed into law 07/2011 P-12 Termination/Nonrenewal of Teacher Contracts S.B. 8 - Termination/Nonrenewal of Teacher Contracts From bill summary: Changes the deadline by which a district board of trustees is required to notify a teacher employed under a probationary contract and a teacher whose contract is about to expire of its decision to terminate the teacher's employment at the en... More... TX Signed into law 07/2011 P-12 Hearing on Proposed Nonrenewal of Teacher Contract S.B. 8 - Hearing on Proposed Nonrenewal of Teacher Contract From bill summary: Authorizes the board of trustees of a district with an enrollment of at least 5,000 students to designate a licensed attorney who is neither employed by nor affiliated with the district to hold a hearing on a proposed nonrenewal of a teacher... More... IL Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Teacher Dismissal; Suspension or Revocation of Teacher Licensure S.B. 7 - Teacher Dismissal; Suspension or Revocation of Teacher Licensure Repeals provision allowing teacher to be dismissed for failure to complete a 1-year remediation plan with a "satisfactory" or better rating; replaces with provision allowing dismissal on the basis of performance. Defines "incompetency" for purposes of suspensi... More... IL Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Teacher Employment (Attainment of Tenure) S.B. 7 - Teacher Employment (Attainment of Tenure) Applies to all districts (Note: The probationary period has been 4 years since 1998): Increases teacher probationary period to 4 consecutive school terms prior to the implementation of PERA (teacher evaluation based in part on student performance; districts va... More... IL Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Dismissal of Teacher in Continued Service S.B. 7 - Dismissal of Teacher in Continued Service Applies to all districts: Requires that the dismissal notice of a teacher in continued service (other than an honorable dismissal) include a bill of particulars and the teacher's right to request a hearing. Amends various due process provisions. Allows a teach... More... NC Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Modifies Law Governing Teacher Career Status S.B. 466 Modifies the law governing teacher career status. Creates a definition of "inadequate performance" for teachers: failure to perform at a proficient level on any standard of the Department of Public Instruction's teacher evaluation instrument or otherwise perfo... More... NV Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Teacher and Administrator Evaluations and Employment A.B. 229 Expands the requirements of the annual reports of accountability to include a reporting of the number and percentages of administrators, teachers, and other staff for each elementary school, middle school or junior high school and high school and for each scho... More... AL Signed into law 05/2011 P-12 Postsec. Employer and Employee Rights S.B. 310 Establishes the Students First Act of 2011. Establishes the purposes of this act. Provides definitions. Provides no action may be proposed or approved based upon the personal or political reasons of the employer, chief executive officer or governing board. Est... More... FL Signed into law 05/2011 P-12 Postsec. Repeals Various Obsolete Education Provisions H.B. 7087 Repeals provisions relating to programs that were never implemented or are no longer funded. The programs are: Digital Divide Council and the associated Pilot Project for Discounted Computers and Internet Access for Low-Income Students; the Institute on Urban ... More... MD Signed into law 05/2011 P-12 Requires Posting of Various Paths Leading to Teacher Certification and Tenure S.B. 687 Requires the state Department of Education to develop an informational form that lists and explains the various paths that can be taken in order to obtain certification and tenure in the state and must post the form on its website. http://mlis.state.md.us/2011... More... MD Signed into law 05/2011 P-12 Teacher Certification & Tenure/Employment for Military Spouses H.B. 998 Requires the state Department of Education to develop a specified form relating to teacher certification and tenure and to post the form on its Web site. Requires the Adjutant General or the Adjutant General's designee to assist military spouses in finding spe... More... ME Signed into law 05/2011 P-12 Teacher Continuting Contract Offers/Probationary Teacher Evaluation H.P. 720 Requires three years of experience in a school administrative unit before a teacher may receive a continuing contract offer. Requires the superintendent to evaluate probationary teachers during, but not limited to, their second year of employment. Provides tha... More... TN Signed into law 05/2011 P-12 Written Notices of Termination H.B. 731 Eliminates the requirement that written notices of termination for K-12 teachers in public schools contain a statement of prior authorization by a majority vote of the local school board with the name of the teacher recorded. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/10... More... OK Signed into law 04/2011 P-12 Revises Due Process Provisions for Teachers and Administrators H.B. 1380 Modifies and deletes several substantive elements related to teacher contract definitions and the Teacher Due Process Act of 1990. Deletes career teacher pretermination hearing procedures and requirements and the right to appeal to a district court; deletes re... More... TN Signed into law 04/2011 P-12 Teacher Non-Renewal, Tenure S.B. 1528 From the Fiscal Note: Changes, from May 15 to June 15, the date by which teachers must receive termination notices and by which teachers and other school personnel must be assigned to a school for the next school year. Changes the probationary period that a te... More... FL Signed into law 03/2011 P-12 Teacher Contracts S.B. 736 - Teacher Contracts Repeals existing language in section 1012.33 regarding procedures after employee performance deficiencies have been identified. Provides that effective July 2011, each new district employee hired as instructional personnel must be awarded a probationary contra... More... ID Signed into law 03/2011 P-12 Renewable Contracts S.B. 1108 Section 33-515 states that it is the intent of the legislature that after January 31, 2011, no new employment contract between a school district and a certificated employee shall result in the vesting of tenure, continued expectations of employment or property... More... WY Signed into law 03/2011 P-12 Tenure S. F. 146--Tenure Requires districts to evaluate teacher performance, based in part upon standards set by State Board of Education. --Initial contract teachers evaluated twice annually --Continuing contract teachers evaluated annually --Requires each District Superintendent to ... More... NC Signed into law 07/2010 P-12 Career Employees Resigning Without Agreement of Superintendent H.B. 1377 Requires superintendents to report to the state board of education on career employees who resign without the written agreement of the superintendent and have been recommended for dismissal; Provides that the employee will be viewed as having consented to: (1)... More... OK Signed into law 06/2010 P-12 Dismissal Section S.B. 2033 This section addresses employment status of career teachers (defined in this section), probationary teachers and administrators. A principal who has received a rating of "ineffective" as measured pursuant to the Oklahoma Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Evalu... More... CO Signed into law 05/2010 P-12 Teacher /Principal Evaluation and Tenure S.B. 191 Calls for the development of a teacher evaluation system in which at least 50% of the evaluation is determined by the academic growth of the teacher's students. The evaluation system must include multiple measures of student performance in conjunction with stu... More... CT Signed into law 05/2010 P-12 Teacher Tenure Reciprocity S.B. 438 - Sec. 9 Provides that any certified teacher or administrator employed by a local or regional board of education for a school district identified as a priority school district may attain tenure after 10 months of employment if such certified teacher/administrator previ... More... OK Signed into law 05/2010 P-12 S.B. 509 Authorizes a district board of education for a district with an average daily membership of more than 30,000 which implements an alternative governance arrangement to use the following procedures, upon approval of the district board and concurrence of the exec... More... SC Signed into law 05/2010 P-12 Notification of Teacher Contract Renewal H.B. 4299 Permitted local school districts to delay by one month the date by which they must to notify teachers of whether their contract was renewed for the 2010-2011 school year. http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess118_2009-2010/bills/4299.htm... More... MD Signed into law 04/2010 P-12 Extends Probationary Period of Employment and Adds Student Growth to Evaluation Process H.B. 1263 - Tenure and Evaluation Sections Extends the probationary period of employment (nontenure) for certificated employees from 2 years to 3 years, requires that nontenured certificated employees be evaluated annually, and requires that student growth data be used in teacher and principal performa... More... TN Signed into law 04/2010 P-12 Change in Teacher Notification Requirement H.B. 2772 Changes, from April 15 to May 15, the annual date by which teachers must be notified in writing of their dismissal, reelection, or that their position has been abolished by the local board of education. Chapter No. 798 http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/... More... GA Signed into law 03/2010 P-12 Continuation of Certified Personnel Contracts H.B. 906 Relates to annual contracts for certified K-12 personnel. Extends to May 15 (for the 2010-11, 2011-12, and 2012-13 school years only) the deadline for districts to tender a contract for current teachers and other certified personnel for the following school ye... More... IN Signed into law 03/2010 P-12 Teacher Contracts H.B. 1005 Relates to indefinite teacher contracts; removes the age limitof 71 for teachers who hold an indefinite contract. Effective July 1, 2010. Public Law 43 http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2010/EH/EH1005.1.html... More... NM Signed into law 03/2010 P-12 Teacher Mentorships and Evaluation H.B. 71 District must provide for the mentorship and evaluation of level one teachers. At the end of each year and at the end of the license period, the teacher shall be evaluated for competency. If the teacher fails to demonstrate satisfactory progress and competence... More... TN Signed into law 01/2010 P-12 Tennessee First to the Top Act of 2010 - Teacher-Related Provisions S.B. 7005A - H.B. 7010A Creates a Teacher Evaluation Advisory Committee (TEAC) composed of 15 members, including the Commissioner of Education, the Executive Director of the State Board of Education, the Chairs of the Education Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, a... More... AZ Signed into law 08/2009 P-12 Teacher employment H.B. 2011--Section 14 Section 14. H--Notwithstanding any other law, a school district or charter school shall not adopt policies that provide employment retention priority for teachers based on tenure or seniority. http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/3s/bills/hb2011.pdf... More... AZ Signed into law 08/2009 P-12 Teacher Contracts H.B. 2011--Section 17 Section 15-536 removes deadlines for districts to offer teaching contracts or notify of a general salary reduction and eliminate a prohibition against reducing the salary of a tenured teacher except as a part of a reduction for all teachers. http://www.azleg.g... More... OH Signed into law 07/2009 P-12 Teacher Tenure H.B. 1 - Section 3319.08 From the DOE summary of H.B. 1: Makes regular classroom teachers who become licensed for the first time on or after January 1, 2011, eligible for a continuing contract (tenure) after seven years of holding an educator license. DOE summary of H.B. 1: http://ww... More... OH Signed into law 07/2009 P-12 Termination of Teacher Contracts H.B. 1 - Section 3319.16 and 3319.161 From DOE summary of H.B. 1: Eliminates "gross inefficiency or immorality" and "willful and persistent violations of reasonable regulations of the board of education" as statutory grounds for termination of a school district teacher employment contract. Retains... More... MO Signed into law 06/2009 P-12 Elimination of Tenure for Non-Certified Employees in St. Louis City School District S.B. 291 - Tenure Eliminates tenure protection for non-certified employees in the St. Louis City School District who are hired after August 28, 2009. http://www.senate.mo.gov/09info/pdf-bill/tat/SB291.pdf... More... OK Vetoed 05/2009 P-12 School District Empowerment Program S.B. 834 Relates to schools; establishes the School District Empowerment Program; states purpose; exempts certain districts from certain statutory requirements and rules; specifies certain requirement; identifies districts for participation and implementation of progra... More... OK Signed into law 05/2009 P-12 Contract Renewal Notifications S.B. 394 Modifies date by which certain notifications regarding contracts must occur (from April 10 to first Monday in June). Teachers who choose not to return are required to provide notice within 15 days of the first Monday in June. http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/... More... TN Signed into law 05/2009 P-12 Due Process in Large Districts S.B. 1446 Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-5-512(c), is amended by deleting subdivision (1) in its entirety and by substituting instead the following: (1) In any county with a metropolitan form of government and a population of more than five hundred thousand (500,0... More... ND Signed into law 03/2009 P-12 Dismissal Prior to Contract End S.B. 2357 Revises due process provisions relates to discharge for cause of a teacher, principal or assistant superintendent prior to the expiration of a contract. http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/61-2009/bill-text/JBLI0300.pdf... More... WA Adopted 10/2008 P-12 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS WAC 391-25-030 Amends rules concerning collective bargaining agreements. Allows collective bargaining agreements between cities, counties, school districts and other municipal corporations and their represented employees for a term of up to six years. WASHINGTON 28575... More... HI Became law without governor's signature 07/2008 P-12 Probationary Period of Employment for Non-Tenured Educators S.B. 2449 Repeals statute pertaining to the probationary period of employment for non-tenured teachers, principals and vice-principals so as to come into compliance with an agreement between the department of education and the Hawaii state teachers association that redu... More... NH Signed into law 06/2008 P-12 Procedures for Nonrenewal of a Teacher Contract H.B. 1330 Changes the procedures for nonrenewal of a teacher contract; authorizes an aggrieved teacher to petition the State Board of Education for a review or to request arbitration under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement; decreases the time period within ... More... TN Signed into law 02/2008 P-12 Reduction in Number of Teachers S.B. 2629 Present law allows a local board of education to dismiss any teacher if it becomes necessary to reduce the number of teaching positions due to a decrease in enrollment or for other good reasons. A tenured teacher who has been dismissed under such circumstances... More... IL Signed into law 08/2007 P-12 Alternative Procedures for Teacher Evaluation, Remediation and Removal for Cause S.B. 1474 pp 29-30: Authorizes the Chicago school board and the exclusive representative of the district's teachers to establish alternative procedures for teacher evaluation, remediation and removal for cause after remediation, including an alternative system for peer ... More... OR Signed into law 07/2007 P-12 Contract Renewal Date H.B. 2675 Changes the date by which a school district must give notice of contract renewal to a probationary teacher (from April 1 to March 15). http://www.leg.state.or.us/07reg/measpdf/hb2600.dir/hb2675.en.pdf... More... TN Signed into law 06/2007 P-12 Modifies Procedures Related to Dismissals H.B. 1302/S.B. 2342 Specifies procedures related to teacher dismissal hearings. Specifies that the hearing the teacher may demand will be before an "impartial hearing officer" selected by the school board rather than an "administrative judge." Also gives the teacher the right to ... More... WV Proposed Rule COMMENT DEADLINE: 06/01/2007 08/20/2007 Rule Adoption 05/2007 Postsec. Community College FACULTY Title 133, Series 9 Amends rules regarding academic freedom and responsibility, appointment, promotion, tenure, non- reappointment or dismissal of faculty, and grievance procedures for matters pertaining to faculty. WEST VIRGINIA 5002... More... IN Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Nonrenewal of a Teacher's Contract H.B. 1489 Allows a nonpermanent teacher ten days to request a conference with the governing body after receiving a notice of nonrenewal of the teacher's contract; provides that the governing body may not take action concerning the nonrenewal of the teacher's contract un... More... NY Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Teacher Tenure Determinations S.B. 2107 - Part A, Section 9 Directs the regents to promulgate rules establishing minimum standards and procedures for tenure determinations for teachers in all districts boards of cooperative educational services made on or after July 1, 2008. Provides such rules must require a superinte... More... UT Signed into law 03/2007 P-12 School District Employee Termination Procedure H.B. 360 Modifies procedures for the termination or discontinuation of a school district career employee's contract. http://le.utah.gov/~2007/bills/hbillenr/hb0360.htm... More... CO Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 Revoking Educator Licenses and Terminating Employment S.B. 176 Concerns requirements for educators; clarifies grounds on which the department of education may deny, annul, suspend, or revoke an educator's license; clarifies language relating to an educator terminating his or her employment contract and authorizes the depa... More... TN Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Teacher Tenure Probation Period S.B. 2781 Requires tenured teacher who resigns and subsequently returns to the school system to serve one-year probationary period before tenure can be regained unless such probationary period is waived by the local board of education upon request of the director of sch... More... TN Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Teacher Employment and Age Discrimination H.B. 2863 Concerns education; prohibits discrimination based on age against teachers in employment decisions. Removes provision for teacher's tenure to end following teacher's 65th birthday. - Amends TCA Section 49-5-507. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/current... More... TN Adopted 03/2006 P-12 Denial, Suspension and Revocation of Teacher Licenses TAC 0520-2-4-.01 Outlines reasons for suspension, denial and revocation of license.Provides process for restoration a of license. TENNESSEE 9886 http://www.state.tn.us/sos/rules/0520/0520-02/0520-02-04.pdf... More... UT Signed into law 03/2006 P-12 Amends Cause for Dismissal or Nonrenewal H.B. 181 One portion of this bill addresses career employee dismissal or nonrenewal. Defines "Willful or intentional misconduct" as conduct that jeopardizes the health or safety of students or conduct that significantly impairs the employee's ability to safely or profe... More... CA Rejected by voters 11/2005 P-12 Teacher Tenure Waiting Period Ballot Measure 4 (Proposition 74) Increases length of time required before a teacher may become a permanent employee to five complete consecutive school years. Authorizes school boards to dismiss a permanent teaching employee who receives two consecutive unsatisfactory performance evaluations.... More... MI Signed into law 09/2005 P-12 Continuing tenure of certified teachers S.B. 609 Relates to the continuing tenure of office of certificated teachers in public educational institutions; provides for probationary periods; regulates discharges or demotions; provides for resignations and leaves of absence; creates a state tenure commission an... More... MO SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 07/2005 P-12 Metropolitan school district's teacher tenure S.B. 299 Currently, both metropolitan school district teachers and principals are included in the section of the Metropolitan school district's teacher tenure statute which outlines procedures regarding reductions in force. This act removes school principals from the s... More... MI (H) PLACED ON SECOND READING 06/2005 P-12 Discharge or demotion of a teacher on continuing tenure H.B. 4991 Except as otherwise provided in section 1a of this article, discharge or demotion of a teacher on continuing tenure may be made only for reasonable and just cause and only as provided in this act. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/pd... More... NH Signed into law 06/2005 P-12 Dismissal of teachers H.B. 132 Adds a definition for incompetence. The school board may dismiss any teacher found by them to be immoral or who has not satisfactorily maintained the competency standards established by the school district, or one who does not conform to regulations prescribe... More... MO Signed into law 05/2005 P-12 Report cards/ teacher tenure H.B. 297 REPORT CARDS Currently, school districts are required to produce an annual accountability report card for each school building, distribute copies to the households with students, and make copies available to other members of the public upon request. This bil... More... MO Signed into law 05/2005 P-12 S.B. 266 The current definition of "teacher" in the teacher tenure act includes certified teachers who teach at the pre-kindergarten level. This act modifies the aforementioned definition by requiring that such prekindergarten teachers, in order to fit the definition o... More... AR Signed into law 04/2005 P-12 School Districts S.B. 1042 Requires school districts to have a reduction in force policy in each school district based upon objective criteria for a layoff and recall of employees. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1042.pdf... More... DE SIGNED 04/2005 P-12 Communications Regarding Teacher Termination H.B. 22 Requires that formal communications between a teacher and a school board relating to the termination of the teacher's services be sent via certified mail, with a return receipt requested. The existing code requires that such communications be sent via register... More... ND Signed into law 03/2005 P-12 Teacher Employment H.B. 1358 Requirements for providing notice of contract renewal or nonrenewal do not apply to teachers and administrators hired after January first. http://www.state.nd.us/lr/assembly/59-2005/bill-text/FBFF0200.pdf... More... SD Signed into law 03/2005 P-12 Teacher Contracts H.B. 1169 Adds several new sections related to terminating or nonrenewing a teacher's contract -- most regarding notice. Until a teacher is in or beyond the fourth consecutive term of employment as a teacher with the school district, a school board may or may not renew ... More... SC Signed into law 08/2004 P-12 Teacher Contracts S.B. 1133 Relates to teacher assessments and teacher certification; changes references from student teachers to teacher candidates; removes provisional contracts from the types of contracts under which teachers may be employed; provides that continuing contract teachers... More... AL Signed into law 05/2004 P-12 Teacher Tenure Law H.B. 42 Relating to the Teacher Tenure Law: transfers, suspensions, and contract cancellations, hearing procedures, different procedures for major and minor (seven days or less) suspensions, use of hearing officers including arbitrators from Federal Mediation and Conc... More... AL Signed into law 05/2004 P-12 Fair Dismissal Act H.B. 43 Relates to public school employees, Fair Dismissal Act, transfers, terminations, suspensions, procedure before local board of education, appeals procedure to hearing officer including arbitrator from Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, different proced... More... OK Emergency Rule Adoption 11/2003 P-12 Due Process OAC 210:1-5-8 Establishes emergency rules regarding due process hearings, hearing procedure, and probationary teachers. OKLAHOMA REG 12998 (SN)... More... MI Signed into law 08/2003 P-12 Department Report on Teacher Tenure H.B. 4391 (multiple provisions) Sec. 801. The department shall furnish a report to the legislature on teacher tenure by December 31, 2003. The report shall include at least all of the following: (a) A history of teacher tenure in this state. (b) A statement of the purpose of teacher tenure a... More... NC Signed into law 07/2003 P-12 Probationary Period for Career Teachers H.B. 38 Shortens the probationary period for career teachers when they change school systems or return to teaching after leaving the profession.... More... AL Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Teacher Tenure Act S.B. 2 Relates to the Teacher Tenure Act; streamlines the contest and appeals processes for teachers; clarifies the procedures to be followed when a teacher is suspended; provides that teachers would have contract cancellation, transfer, and suspension contests heard... More... GA Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Teacher Compensation and Contracts S.B. 193 Provides for an annual increase in state pay for certain teachers; individuals who first became teachers on or after July 1, 2000, acquire rights to continued employment; provides procedures for hearings for such persons; provides for selection of a tribunal, ... More... LA Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Immorality Grounds for Dismissal of School Employees H.B. 778 Adds a charge of immorality as a cause for dismissal of a teacher, bus driver, or permanent employee; defines immorality as conviction of a felony offense against the public morals. http://www.legis.state.la.us/bills/byinst.asp?sessionid=03RS&billid=HB778&doct... More... NH Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Nonrenewal of Teacher Contracts S.B. 76 Relates to the process for nonrenewal of teacher contracts. Adds provisions that a request for review under this section constitutes the exclusive remedy available to a teacher on the issue of the nonrenewal of such teacher and that the state board of educati... More... OK Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Career Teacher Component H.B. 1767 (Omnibus Bill) Defines career teacher pretermination hearing as the informal proceeding before the local board of education held for the purpose of providing a meaningful opportunity to invoke the discretion of the decision maker after a recommendation for dismissal or nonre... More... TX Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 School District Employment Policies H.B. 912 If the district has an Internet website, the district is required to place the board's employment policies on that website. At each school in the district, the board is required to make a copy of the board's employment policies available for inspection at a r... More... TX Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Rehiring Experienced Teachers H.B. 558 Under current law, a person who is employed as a teacher by a school district for the first time, or who has not been employed by the district for two consecutive school years subsequent to August 28, 1967, is required to be employed under a probationary contr... More... GA Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Teachers and Professional Employees Contracts S.B. 223 Relates to annual contracts for teachers; provides that teacher and other professional employee contracts shall be complete in all terms and conditions, including the amount of compensation for the ensuing school year, when presented to the teacher or professi... More... IA Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Requirement to Report School Employee Nonrenewal or Termination Due to Alleged or Actual Misconduct H.B. 549 (omnibus bill) Requires any local board, superintendent or head of any nonpublic school to report to the state educational examiners board every instance of revocation or nonrenewal of a school employee's contract due to alleged or actual misconduct, as well as the resignati... More... IN Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Nonpermanent Teacher Contracts H.B. 1734 Allows flexibility in the time when a school corporation must hold a conference on the nonrenewal of the contract of a nonpermanent teacher so that both the open door law and the nonpermanent teacher's contract rights law are not violated. http://www.in.gov/se... More... LA Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Special Schools Teacher Tenure H.B. 567 States that existing provision barring teachers promoted to a higher position in a special school after from gaining tenure in such positions until teacher has spent three years in the new position applies only to teachers whose promotion occured before July 1... More... TX Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Public School Teacher Contracts H.B. 1113 Currently, school districts seeking an alternative to discharging a teacher employed under a continuing contract, or terminating or nonrenewing a teacher employed under a term contract, have limited options. School districts may return the teacher to probation... More... TX Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Teacher Suspension S.B. 893 Previously, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) appointed an examiner on a rotating basis when it is notified of a contract dispute. If both the district and the employee involved in the dispute agree to disallow the original examiner, they can both appoint an... More... AZ Signed by Governor 04/2003 P-12 Classroom Performance; Teacher Reemployment S.B. 1330 Provides that the governing board of a school district shall develop a definition of inadequacy of classroom performance relating to the board's intention not to reemploy teachers. http://www.azleg.state.az.us/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=SB1330... More... KS Signed into law 04/2003 P-12 Nonrenewal or Termination of Contract Hearings S.B. 119 Amends language relating to hearings provided upon notice of nonrenewal or termination of contracts of employment. http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2004/119.pdf... More... AR Signed into law 03/2003 P-12 Teacher Right to Witnesses H.B. 2514 Allows a teacher to have a witness or representative of the teacher's choice present during any disciplinary or grievance matter upon request of the teacher. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2514.pdf... More... SC Signed into law 03/2003 P-12 District Personnel Furlough S.B. 375 (Joint Resolution) Provides that the school districts of this state may furlough district personnel to the extent necessary to avoid a year end deficit and a reduction in force; provides the terms and conditions of a furlough pursuant to this provision.... More... UT Signed into law 03/2003 P-12 School Personnel S.B. 154 (Omnibus Bill) Section 53A-3-411 prohibits local boards from entering into a collective bargaining agreement that prohibits or limits individual contracts of employment. (Contract terms were already limited to no more than five years.) Defines alternative certification to ... More... IL Signed into law 08/2002 P-12 Short-Term Empoyees H.B. 1720 Amends the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act; provides that the employee must not have a reasonable expectation (instead a reasonable assurance) that he or she will be rehired, in the provision defining "short-term employee".... More... NC Signed into law 08/2002 P-12 Exchange Teacher Programs H.B. 1724 Clarifies the status of teachers participating in foreign exchange programs for purposes of retirement and tenure; includes any nonimmigrant alien employed in elementary or secondary public schools and participating in an exchange visitor program.... More... HI Signed into law 05/2002 P-12 Charter School Funding and Teacher Status S.B. 2512 States that teachers at charter schools are to receive probationary and tenure status and seniority provided that they fill the requirements for regular school teachers.; changes per-pupil funding allocation for charter schools. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/s... More... TN Signed into law 03/2002 P-12 Reemployment of Teachers S.B. 2275 Specifies that the right to remain on the preferred list for employment would be in effect until: (1) The teacher refuses a bona fide offer of reemployment for a comparable position within the LEA; or (2) The director, after the teacher has been on the preferr... More... NC Signed into law 06/2001 P-12 Appeals Processes S.B. 532 Session Law Number 260., Clarifies the right to appeal to a local board of education and to require notice of the dismissal, demotion or suspension without pay of noncertified employees.... More... OR Signed into law 06/2001 P-12 Due Process S.B. 257 Eliminates hearings officer level from procedure for appeals by teachers and administrators to Fair Dismissal Appeals Board; directs Fair Dismissal Appeals Board panel to hold hearing on appeal.... More... TN Signed into law 05/2001 P-12 Drug Offenses -- Teachers H.B. 1040 Requires immediate suspension and dismissal of teachers convicted of certain drug offenses. Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 5, Part 5.... More... AR Signed into law 04/2001 P-12 Teacher Termination/Suspension Policy H.B. 2393 Prohibits school districts from terminating, suspending, or not renewing the contracts of nonprobationary status teachers without just cause.... More... MS Signed into law 03/2001 P-12 Mechanism & Standards for Nonrenewal of Licensed School Employees H.B. 527 Education Employment Procedures Law of 2001. It is the intent of the legislature to provide for accountability in the teaching profession and to provide for the nonrenewal of licensed education employees in a timely, cost-efficient and fair manner, to provide ... More... VA Signed into law 02/2001 P-12 Reduction in Force Notification H.B. 1983 Directs any school board in a county having the urban county executive form of government to notify by May 15 those teachers who may be subject to a reduction in force due to a decrease in the school board's budget.... More... OR Unofficially rejected by voters 11/2000 P-12 Performance Pay, Seniority V. 19; (NEW BILL) (Initiative No. 29 Measure 95) Amends the Oregon Constitution regarding performance pay for teachers; provides that student learning determines teacher pay; establishes that the teachers' qualifications, not seniority, determine retention.... More... CA Signed into law 07/2000 Postsec. Community College Communtiy College Tenure Issues A.B. 1337 Chapter No. 124; Under existing law, if a case concerning the granting of tenure of community college faculty proceeds to arbitration with representation by the exclusive representative, the resulting decision is not to be considered a precedent for purposes o... More... AL Signed into law 05/2000 P-12 Teacher and Principal Performance H.B. 285 Provides for the Teacher Accountability Act; provides for performance-based contracts for principals; provides for alternative principal certification procedures; provides hearing procedures to challenge employment action taken against a principal; establishes... More... ID Signed into law 04/2000 P-12 Notice of Non-renewal S.B. 1449 Revises the time limits for a school board of trustees to give notice to the certificated employees on renewable contract status from May 25 to May 15; revises the response to the board by the employee on acceptance of a renewable contract for the next ensuing... More... GA Signed into law 03/2000 P-12 Omnibus Bill --Tenure Component H.B. 1187 Enacts the A Plus Education Reform Act of 2000. A portion of this act abolishes tenure: All contracts must be in writing. Any teacher or other certificated professional employee may be notified that his/her contract will not be renewed. The notice must be g... More... ID Signed into law 03/2000 P-12 Annual Contracts S.B. 1372 Requires school districts to develop support programs for use by teachers on annual contract with the district; requires district support programs to be approved by the State Department of Education; provides three categories of annual contracts; provides dist... More... TN Signed into law 03/2000 P-12 Apprentice Teachers S.B. 2182 Specifies the teacher employed as probationary teacher for 1 year and as an apprentice teacher for 2 years will be considered as having met the 3 apprentice years requirement.... More... VA Signed into law 03/2000 P-12 Grievance Procedures H.B. 650 Amends the teacher grievance procedure to require that members of the three-person fact-finding panel have no prior involvement with the matter grieved; requires panel members to refrain from obtaining any information or evidence about the grievance other than... More... NJ Signed into law 12/1999 P-12 Non-tenured teacher dismissal A.B. 2395 Provides certain protections for dismissed nontenured school employees whose names are required to be maintained on a list; requires notification by the school district or administrator of certain correspondence; specifies an appeals process for aggrieved empl... More... AK Signed into law 06/1999 P-12 Authorizes Reinstatement of Tenure S.B. 98 Relates to teacher tenure; provides that a teacher who has acquired tenure in a school district in the state and loses tenure in the district because of a break in service may re-acquire tenure in that school district.... More... NC Signed into law 05/1999 P-12 Teacher Dismissal Hearings S.B. 898 Increases number of days within which a board of education must hold a teacher dismissal hearing; clarifies that superintendent's designee may be present at case manager hearing; allows time for superintendent to obtain a copy of case manager transcript; decre... More... AR Signed into law 04/1999 P-12 Termination and Nonrenewal of Employees S.B. 932 Amends various sections of the Teacher Fair Dismissal Act; amends various statutes regarding termination and nonrenewal of school employees.... More... SD Signed into law 04/1999 P-12 Teacher Suspension Hearings S.B. 531 Amends the period in which noncertified public school employees may request and receive a hearing to appeal suspension; termination or nonrenewal decisions.... More... AR Signed into law 03/1999 P-12 Changes Teacher Fair Dismissal Act S.B. 517 Amends various provisions of the Teacher Fair Dismissal Act.... More... SD Signed into law 03/1999 P-12 Notice of Termination Appeals H.B. 1210 Provides a time to appeal notice of termination to a school board and to conduct a hearing thereon.... More... TN Signed into law 03/1999 P-12 Changes Evaluation of Apprentice Teachers H.B. 296 Revises procedures on evaluation of apprentice teachers to recognize elimination of probationary teacher status.... More... UT Signed into law 03/1999 P-12 Termination Procedures Act S.B. 146 Modifies definitions in the Orderly School Termination Procedures Act and dismissal procedures; provides for waiver of hearings, suspension without pay, issuance of subpoenas and an appeal process and clarifies provisional employee status.... More... ID Signed into law 02/1999 P-12 Teacher Contracts H.B. 201 Related to teachers; provides for notice to an administrative employee upon reassignment to a nonadministrative position; provides for informal review of the reassignment upon request of the employee; provides for issuance of supplemental contracts which allow... More... ND Signed into law 01/1999 P-12 Teachers' Fund for Retirement S.B. 2282 Relates to participation in the Teachers' Fund for Retirement by retired persons who have resumed teaching; provides an effective date; provides an expiration date.... More... ND Signed into law 01/1999 P-12 Teacher Suspensions H.B. 1224 Relates to teacher suspensions.... More... SD Signed into law 01/1999 P-12 Renewal of Teacher Contracts S.B. 179 Clarifies the notification date requirements, renewal of certain teacher contracts.... More... DE Died 10/1998 P-12 Authorizes Sick Leave for School Employees H.B. 305 Allows school employees to use accured sick leave for absences necessary due to serious illness of an immediate family member, creates a donated leave program.... More... MI Signed into law 08/1998 P-12 Revises Teacher Tenure Act and Modifies Special Education Definition S.B. 884 Revises provisions in teacher tenure act; creates a state tenure committee; prescribes powers and duties therefor; modifies definition of developmental disabilities by excluding strictly physical impairments.... More... LA Died 06/1998 P-12 S.B. 1563 Adds failure to achieve the standard required for satisfactory performance on an evaluation established by the employer as a cause to terminate a permanent school employee.... More... MO Signed into law 06/1998 P-12 Revoking Teaching Certificates for Certain Crimes H.B. 1469 Provides that teaching certificates may be revoked if the holder is found guilty of a felony or crime of moral turpitude, and must be revoked if the holder is found guilty of first degree murder or dangerous felony, certain sexual offenses, certain offenses ag... More... NH Vetoed 06/1998 P-12 H.B. 1414 Teacher Contracts Designates the State Board review of a teacher's contract as the exclusive remedy in cases where a teacher is not renominated or reelected; limits this review to procedural review; prohibits teacher's grievance based on failure to be renominated or reelected f... More... NJ Signed into law 06/1998 P-12 S.B. 87 Hearing Process Provides for expedited hearing process in teacher tenure cases.... More... AZ Signed into law 05/1998 P-12 H.B. 2295 States that the amount of time a school board must give a teacher to correct an "inadequacy in classroom performance" before it can fire him is changed to "not less than 85 instructional days" from "one full semester".... More... FL Signed into law 05/1998 P-12 H.B. 3651 BECAME LAW WITHOUT GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE Provides that specified general law supersedes special acts applicable to Duval County regarding school district personnel; provides certain employees to retain rights under special acts.... More... MS Died 05/1998 P-12 S.B. 2043 Requires school districts to provide certified employees with reasons for nonreemploument along with any nonrenewal notice.... More... CO Signed into law 04/1998 P-12 H.B. 1090 Teacher Dismissal As amended, reduces the length of a teacher dismissal hearing from 10 days to six days (three each side). Parties are required to attend prehearing conference for the purpose of further limiting, to the extent possible, the length of the hearing. Maximum numbe... More... TN Signed into law 04/1998 P-12 S.B. 2172 Requires employment, transfer, suspension, non-renewal, and dismissal of all school personnel to be in accordance with budget, applicable law, board policies and local negotiated agreements.... More... TN Signed into law 04/1998 P-12 S.B. 2313 Relates to duties assigned to superintendents; provides for written notice and opportunity for hearing prior to dismissal of licensed, non-tenured school employees.... More... VA Vetoed 04/1998 P-12 H.B. 647 Requires a written contract be made by the school board with each person who is either employed on a full-time or part-time basis for a term of at least 10 months or not required to hold a license issued by the Board of Education; requires written notice of th... More... VT Signed into law 04/1998 P-12 S.B. 248 Relates to a probationary period for new teachers.... More... WV Signed into law 04/1998 P-12 H.B. 4314 Removes the Education and Public Employees Board from the Department of Administration; provides expedited grievance processes; expands the jurisdiction of the board; changes the default provisions; gives the board procedural jurisdiction at levels two and thr... More... SD Signed into law 03/1998 P-12 H.B. 1134 Teacher Contracts Clarifies provisions relating to teacher contracts and declares an emergency.... More... UT Signed into law 03/1998 P-12 S.B. 95 Dismissal Procedures Relates to public education; provides consistency in dismissal procedures for career and provisional public school employees.... More... OR Signed into law 08/1997 P-12 S.B. 880 Incentive Rewards A new Oregon law gives school districts greater control over the quality of instruction. Under Bill S.B. 880-C, all current and new teachers will be employed on renewable two-year contracts. An expedited appeals process and a professional assistance program wi... More... RI Became law without governor's signature 07/1997 P-12 H.B. 5846 Teacher Contracts Establishes that the probationary period for teachers consists of three annual contracts within 5 successive school years.... More... CT Died 06/1997 P-12 H.B. 5182 Teacher Tenure Makes tenure renewable on a five year basis.... More... NC Signed into law 06/1997 P-12 Excellent Schools Act - General Knowledge Tests, etc. Certified staff members employed in the lowest performing schools shall take a general knowledge test. Staff members who do not pass the test shall engage in a program of study and remediation. If the staff member fails the general knowledge test three times, ... More... NC Signed into law 06/1997 P-12 Excellent Schools Act-Evaluations, Career Status, Dismissal The State Board shall revise performance standards for evaluating professional public school employees to include standards and criteria reflecting student achievement, employee skills, and employee knowledge. All probationary teachers shall be observed three ... More... NC Signed into law 06/1997 P-12 S.B. 272 The Excellent Schools Act A hallmark piece of teacher policy legislation. The Excellent Schools Act originated in Governor Hunt's office. S.B. 272 does the following: raises standards for pre-service, initial certification, continuing certification, and certificate renewal; increases s... More... WA Signed into law 06/1997 P-12 S.B. 5340 Modifies the probation provisions for certified employees, including assignment during the probationary period and reassignment following a probationary period that does not produce desired changes.... More... AL Signed into law 05/1997 P-12 S.B. 396 Reduction-In-Force Policy Requires each local board of education to develop a reduction-in-force policy in order to legally and fairly deal with workforce reductions and the rehiring of those employees.... More... CO Passed 05/1997 P-12 S.J.R. 14 Teacher Dismissal Interim Committee and Task Force Creates a six-member legislative interim committee to study issues relating to teacher evaluation and dismissal. The chair and the vice-chair of the legislative interim committee will appoint an advisory task force to assist the committee in performing its stu... More... ID Signed into law 05/1997 P-12 S.B. 1028 Authorizes School Board of Trustees to employ certified personnel on a one year limited contract which requires no additional notice for termination at the end of the contract year.... More... OK Signed into law 05/1997 P-12 H.B. 1534 Teacher Certification Authorizes certain due process hearings before the State Board of Education; relates to certification.... More... MT Signed into law 04/1997 P-12 H.B. 49 Teacher Tenure Laws Revises Montana teacher tenure laws and contested case procedures; provides tenure to a teacher or specialist who completes a 180-working day probationary period on the earlier of either the date of the offer and acceptance of a contract for the second consecu... More... CO Died 02/1997 P-12 H.B. 1160 Teacher Contracts Concerns the creation of the position of contract teacher in public schools; creates a new teaching position to be known as contract teacher which would be available to probationary teachers at he end of eheir three-year probationary period and to nonprobation... More... MS Died 02/1997 P-12 S.B. 2181 Teacher Contracts Provides teacher with reasons for nonrenewal of contract with school districts.... More... VA Died 02/1997 P-12 S.B. 885 Teacher Contracts and Health-Related Assistance to Students Prohibits teachers from being required to perform nonemergency helth-related asssistance to students unless such duties are included in the contract.... More... MI Signed into law 07/1996 P-12 380.1525 Sabbatical Leaves Allocation of state funds to support professional development and education; submittal of annual plan to state board. Sabbatical leaves: School districts shall provide sabbatical leaves for up to one (1) academic year for selected master teachers who aid in pr... More... NJ Signed into law 06/1996 P-12 A.B. 2153 Tenure Clarifies that tenure accrued in a particular position within a public school district shall not extend to any other position.... More... PA Signed into law 06/1996 P-12 H.B. 1031 Leaves of absence Amends the Public School Code of 1949. Further provides for sabbatical leaves of absence and for rights during a leave of absence.... More... AK Signed into law 05/1996 P-12 H.B. 465 Teacher Tenure Requires teachers to spend three years teaching before becoming eligible for tenure (before enactment, teachers received tenure after 2 years). Will subject teachers and administrators to regular reviews using performance standards developed by local school bo... More... MA Signed into law 05/1996 P-12 H.B. 2340 Professional teacher status Relates to professional teacher status of a teacher, school librarian, school adjustment counselor and school psychologist obtained after required certain term of employment; prohibits, except for good cause, dismissal or demotion of principal, department head... More... AZ Signed into law 04/1996 P-12 S.B. 1230 Teacher Contracts Repeals the requirement for a teacher under inadequate performance notice to be given a summer vacation period for additional education. Strikes limit of 6 years on time during which school board may require increased levels of performance. Directs the board t... More... VA Became law without governor's signature 04/1996 P-12 H.B. 712 Teacher Sponsorship of Extracurricular Activities Requires school boards to provide separate written contracts for teachers receiving monetary supplements to sponsor an extracurricular activity that may meet during or outside regular school hours; provides that termination of the sponsorship contract does not... More... VA Signed into law 04/1996 P-12 H.B. 325 Teacher "Incompetency" Became Law Without GOVERNOR's Signature Clarifies that for purposes of the dismissal of teachers, the term "incompetency" shall be construed to include performance that is documented through evaluation to be consistently less than satisfactory or fails to meet standards set for the position.... More... IN Signed into law 03/1996 P-12 S.B. 405 Procedural changes in the nonrenewal of nonpermanent teachers Allows flexibility in the time when a school corporation must hold a public conference on the nonrenewal of the contract of a nonpermanent teacher so that both the Open Door Law and the Nonpermanent Teachers' Contract Rights Law are not violated.... More... PA Signed into law 03/1996 P-12 S.B. 708 Tenure for Professional Employees Act No. 16 of 1996 (Effective: 03/29/96) Amends the Public School Code of 1949. Provides for granting of tenure to professional employees. Provides for causes for termination of professional contracts and for rating of professional employees.... More... VA Signed into law 03/1996 P-12 H.B. 327 Quality Personnel Directs school boards to adopt employment policies and practices designed to promote the employment and retention of the highest quality instructional personnel and to effectively serve the educational needs of students.... More... WA Signed into law 03/1996 P-12 H.B. 2310 Nonrenewal of Contracts for Certificated Employees Line Item Vetoed by GOVERNOR (Effective: 03/28/96) Relates to notification of nonrenewal of contracts for certificated employees; amending RCW 28A.405.210, 28A.405.220 and 28A.405.230; and declaring an emergency. Line item vetoed by Governor.... More... SD Signed into law 02/1996 P-12 H.B. 1230 Termination of teacher's contracts Clarifies by whom a teacher's contract may be terminated.... More... AK Died 01/1996 P-12 H.B. 398 Teacher Rights Relates to teacher evaluation, teacher tenure, teacher continuing employment status, teacher layoff and rehire rights, and the rights of teachers to obtain review of decisions or non-retention or dismissal. Relates to public access to certain information on, a... More... MN Died 01/1996 P-12 H.B. 2117 Expanding Charter School Laws, Establishing a Statewide Education Information System, Modifying Teacher Contracts and Collective Bargaining Provides for expanded charter school law; provides for school board contracting, establishes a statewide education information system, provides for the meaning of school year, modifies teacher continuing contracts and termination, provides for performance-base... More... WI Signed into law 12/1995 P-12 S.B. 37 Tenure 1995 (1995 Wisconsin Act 111) The Milwaukee County (section 118.23) and Milwaukee Public Schools (section 119.42) teacher tenure laws do not apply after December 21, 1995. Any person whose employment was permanent under those laws on the effective date retains all of the rights and privile... More... CA Signed into law 08/1995 P-12 A.B. 729 Dismissal of Permanent Employees (Effective: 08/10/95) Eliminates incompetency as one of the enumerated causes for dismissal of a permanent employee; provides that a permanent employee may be terminated for unsatisfactory performance.... More... IL Signed into law 08/1995 P-12 H.B. 413 Teacher Contracts/Benefits Exempts school districts from requirement of appropriating amounts sufficient to provide for their contributions to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF); provides that a district may levy a tax in amount reasonably calculated at time of levy to provid... More... RI Signed into law 08/1995 P-12 S.B. 946 Teachers Contracts GOVERNOR'S veto Overridden by SENATE Clarifies the right of teachers to arbitrate all disputes concerning the terms and conditions of employment.... More... CT Signed into law 07/1995 P-12 PA 95-58, sS.B. 368 Teacher Evaluations, Tenure and Dismissal This act increases the time it takes teachers to attain tenure, reduces the maximum time that tenured teacher termination proceedings can take, imposes restrictions on termination proceedings for non-tenured teachers, strengthens teacher evaluation requirement... More... ME Signed into law 07/1995 P-12 S.B. 214 Teacher Contracts (LD 556) States that education funds appropriated pursuant to the School Finance Act of 1985 are not considered "public grants" for purposes of determining whether the State shall pay the employer's portion of a teacher's retirement costs; provides that adult ... More... AK Vetoed 06/1995 P-12 H.B. 217 Teacher Tenure Increases the probationary period before a teacher acquires tenure from two to four years; provides that a tenured teacher can be laid off for enrollment decreases or for verified financial emergencies; creates a retirement incentive program for teachers who q... More... IL Signed into law 06/1995 P-12 Teacher Tenure Civil service for nonteaching Chicago school employees is abolished. Provisions guaranteeing "reserve" teachers (those no longer needed for positions they once filled) a right to new vacancies are abolished. Tenured teachers getting unsatisfactory performance ... More... NY Signed into law 06/1995 P-12 S. 5188/A. 7745, chapter 74 Teacher Retirement Incentive Teachers and other educational employees were included within this year's retirement incentive law. A related bill passed by the Senate and Assembly would remove that law's provision requiring that the position of an educational employee, who participated in a... More... SD Signed into law 06/1995 P-12 SDCL 13-43-6.1-6.6 Teacher Tenure As part of major education reform, repealed tenure laws. Sections 75A-75G allow for termination at any time for just cause, including poor performance, incompetency, gross immorality, unprofessional conduct, insubordination, neglect of duty, or the violation ... More... ME Signed into law 05/1995 P-12 H.B. 616 Sexual Abuse in Teacher Student Relationship (Effective: 05/16/95) Provides that a teacher, school employee or school official is guilty of sexual abuse of a minor if that person engages in a sexual act with a minor who is enrolled in the institution that employs the teacher, school employee or school of... More... NC Died 05/1995 P-12 H.B. 210 Phase Out Teacher Tenure The House Education Committee named an ad hoc group to recommend alternatives and guidelines to supplant the current tenure system. Business lobby leaders said that tenure has outlived its usefulness and business favors performance based appraisals for teacher... More... OH Died 04/1995 P-12 S.B. 115 Tenure 1995 The tenure and teacher evaluation proposals remain in the executive budget. The tenure changes require "periodic evaluation of all classroom teachers" and add "failure to eliminate unsatisfactory performance" to the list of reasons for terminating a tenured te... More... CT Died 02/1995 P-12 S.B. 210 Tenure The General Assembly increases the time it takes teachers to attain tenure from three to four years, reduces the maximum amount of time that tenured teacher termination proceedings can take, and strengthens teacher evaluation requirements.... More... AL Signed into law 05/1994 P-12 S 16 (Act 94-825) Sick Leave (Effective: 05/17/94) Amends Sections 16-1-18, 16-8-25, 16-12-21, and 21-1-21, Code of Alabama 1975, to permit the accumulation of 225 sick leave days by certain public education employees in public education and permit the transfer of sick leave days from one... More... 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