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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 MO SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 07/2013 P-12 Scholarship Tax Credit for Children and Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder S.B. 17 Directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a master list of resources available to the parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder and to actively seek financial resources in the form of grants and donations that may be de... More... IN Signed into law 05/2013 P-12 Choice Scholarships eligibility and requirements H.B. 1003 Provides that a taxpayer may carry forward a School Scholarship Income Tax Credit for a taxable year that begins after December 31, 2012. Starting FY 2014, fiscal year cap applied to the tax credit increases from $5 M to $10 M. Specifies eligibility standards ... More... MT Vetoed 04/2013 P-12 Provide tax credits for contributions to scholarship organizations S.B. 81 From the Fiscal Note: This bill provides credits against individual income tax or corporate license tax for donations to Student Scholarship Organizations (SSOs), which would give scholarships to students in private schools, and for donations to Education Impr... More... AL Signed into law 03/2013 P-12 Tax Credits and Scholarships H.B. 84 - Tax Credits and Scholarships Sections 8- Defines "failing school" and "qualifying school." Defines eligible student as a K-12 student whose household income upon program entry does not exceed 150% of the median household income (student retains eligibility regardless of household income u... More... PA Signed into law 07/2012 P-12 Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program H.B. 0761 Modifies tax code to provide the means for low- and moderate-income students (185% of poverty) who reside in the attendance boundary of a low-achieving school, to apply for an opportunity scholarship to attend a participating public or private school. Funds ma... More... NH Veto overridden: legislature has overridden governor's veto 06/2012 P-12 EducationTax Credit H.B. 1607/S.B. 372 Establishes an education tax credit against the business profits tax and/or the business enterprise tax for business organizations and business enterprises that contribute to scholarship organizations which award scholarships to be used by students to defray e... More... VA Signed into law 05/2012 P-12 Educational Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits H.B. 321 Establishes a credit beginning in taxable year 2012 for corporations donating cash or property to nonprofit organizations providing education improvement scholarships to students who would have been eligible for the free and reduced lunch program under federal... More... LA Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Tax Rebates for Nonpublic School Scholarships H.B. 969 Authorizes a rebate for certain taxpayer donations to nonpublic school tuition organizations to fund scholarships for qualified students. Qualified students include those who are members of households at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. The bill als... More... VA Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Education Improvement Scholarships S.B. 131 Establishes a credit beginning in taxable year 2013 for individuals, business entities, and corporations making monetary donations to nonprofit organizations providing education improvement scholarships to students whose family's annual household income is not... More... FL Signed into law 03/2012 P-12 Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program H.B. 859 Revises student eligibility requirements to allow a student entering any grades K-5 and who was not enrolled in a public school the previous year to participate. Removes requirement that family of participating foster child meet specified income requirements. ... More... AK Signed into law 08/2011 P-12 Finance S.B. 84 An Act amending the funding for statewide residential educational programs; relating to funding for high school vocational and technical instruction as a component of funding for public schools; allows taxpayers a credit against the tax due for cash contributi... More... NC Signed into law 07/2011 P-12 Tax Credits for Children with Disabilities H.B. 344 Provides a taxpayer a credit against the tax imposed for each of the taxpayer's eligible dependent children who is a resident of the state and who for one or two semesters during the taxable year is enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12 in a nonpublic sch... More... FL Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Removes Tax Credit Restriction H.B. 965 From Legislative Staff Summary: Eliminates a current restriction for the corporate income tax credit and insurance premium tax, that eligible contributions made to eligible scholarship-funding organizations may not exceed 75% of the taxpayer's tax due for the ... More... NH Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Tax Credits S.B. 67 Establishes a committee to study the implementation of an education tax credit plan in New Hampshire. Three members each from the senate and house of representatives will study authorizing business tax credits, authorizing the establishment of tax-exempt schol... More... GA Signed into law 05/2011 P-12 Tax Credits and Student Scholarship Organizations H.B. 325 Expands definition of "eligible student" to include 1st graders (previously included only students in a qualified kindergarten or pre-kindergarten program), and allow participants to continue to qualify until the student reaches age 20, graduates, or returns t... More... IN Signed into law 05/2011 P-12 Vouchers H.B. 1003 Provides a tax deduction for a parent who sends a child to a private school or home schools the child. Increases the school scholarship tax credits that may be awarded for donations to a scholarship granting organization. Prohibits a scholarship granting organ... More... OK Signed into law 05/2011 P-12 Tax Credits for Contributions to Scholarship-Granting Organizations S.B. 969 Creates the "Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act". The act would allow a tax credit equal 50% of the total amount of contribution to a scholarship-granting organization not to exceed $1,000.00 for each taxpayer or $2,000.00 for married filing... More... UT Signed into law 03/2011 Postsec. Tax Exemption for Postsecondary Textbook S.B. 69 Defines "textbook for a higher education course" to include a textbook in electronic format. Provides a tax exemption for purchase of a textbook for a higher education course. http://le.utah.gov/~2011/bills/sbillenr/sb0069.pdf... More... AZ Signed into law 05/2010 P-12 Corporate Tax Credits H.B. 2663 AN ACT Amending sections 20-224.06, 20-224.07, 43-1183 and 43-1184, Arizona Revised Statutes; amending title 43, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding chapter 15. Establishes additional oversight and reporting requirements for school tuition organizations (STOs... More... FL Signed into law 06/2008 P-12 Corporate Income Tax Credit Scholarships H.B. 653 Expands the Corporate Income Tax Credit Scholarship Program by increasing the amount of credits and allowing the use of credits for insurance premium taxes; provides that siblings of certain students or students in foster care are eligible for participation in... More... GA Signed into law 05/2008 P-12 Tax Credits H.B. 1133 Authorizes the creation of "student scholarship organizations" that allocate funds for scholarships or grants allowing preschool and K-12 students to attend accredited private schools. Establishes requirements for student scholarship organizations. Provides fo... More... LA Signed into law 03/2008 P-12 Income Tax Deductions S.B. 5B Grants an individual income tax deduction for tuition and fees paid to enroll a child in a parochial or private school, or any public elementary or secondary school affiliated with a public college or university, for 50% of the tuition and fees paid or $5,000... More... LA Signed into law 07/2007 P-12 School Readiness Tax Credits S.B. 361 Grants school readiness tax credits to individuals for child care expenses of children five and under, to child care providers, to child care directors and staff, and to businesses providing assistance for child care. Provides the amount of the child care ex... More... LA Vetoed 07/2007 P-12 Tuition Tax Credit S.B. 45 Grants a non-refundable credit against individual income tax for elementary and secondary education tuition in an approved parochial and private elementary and secondary schools. Bill: http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=447637 Veto me... More... AZ Vetoed 06/2006 P-12 Tuition Tax Credits S.B. 1071 Relates to school tuition organization tax credits; provides a limit a taxpayer may contribute to a school tuition organization; provides that a school tuition organization shall not request preapproval; provides that approval shall not be given to requests th... More... CT Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Tax Credits for Donations to Nonpublic Schools S.B. 378 Relates to tax credits for donations of computer equipment to nonpublic schools; provides that any business firm may apply for such tax credit. Public Act No. 145... More... IA Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Tax Credits S.B. 2409 Allows individual income tax credits for contributions made to tax-exempt school tuition organizations. Establishes eligibility criteria. Defines eligible student as student member of a household before the tuition grant is no more than three times the the mo... More... AZ Became law without governor's signature 03/2006 P-12 Corporate Income Tax Credit for Schools S.B. 1499 Creates a corporate income tax credit for contributions made to an school tuition organization (STO) for educational scholarships and tuition grants to low-income children.  This credit is annually capped at $5 million starting FY 2006-2007. In 1997, the Legi... More... KS Signed into law 04/2005 P-12 Postsec. Math and Science Teacher Scholarships S.B. 138 Allows the board of education of any school district, any teacher of mathematics, science, physics, chemistry or biology, and a business firm to enter a partnership agreement under which such business firm agrees to employ such teacher in a position that requi... More... AZ Vetoed 03/2005 P-12 Tax Credits H.B. 2379 After December 31, 2005, allows a taxpayer to deduct from his/her tax penalty any amount of voluntary cash contributions up to $10,000 made by the taxpayer to a school tuition organization, and a portion of contributions of $10,000 or more. Prohibits the depar... More... LA Signed into law 06/2002 P-12 Income Tax Credits for Child Care and Educational Costs H.B. 238 Revises the individual income tax credit for child care expenses and educational costs.... More... CO Signed into law 04/2002 Postsec. Income Tax Credit for Gifts to Colorado Institute of Technology H.B. 1059 Concerns modifications to the state income tax credit available to Colorado taxpayers who make monetary contributions to the Colorado Institute of Technology; clarifies the amount of the credit that may be claimed; requires submission of certain documentation ... More... AZ Signed into law 04/2000 P-12 Income Tax Credits for Preschool H.B. 2226 Relates to individual income tax credits for tuition paid for preschool for children with disabilities; defines "handicapped" student as a student who is hearing impaired, visually impaired, preschool moderately delayed, preschool severely delayed, and presch... More... AZ Signed into law 04/2000 P-12 Tax Credits for Donations H.B. 2451 Allows a personal or corporate income tax credit for any real property and improvements that are donated to a school district or charter school for use as a school or as a site for the construction of a new school.... More... AZ Signed into law 04/2000 P-12 Tax Credits S.B. 1369 Relates to individual income tax credits; expands use of public school fees credit to include character education programs; defines character education programs.... More... 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 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