Accountability--Sanctions Student Accountability Initiatives  MS Word  PDF - Student accountability initiatives refer to policies states have enacted to ensure that students and parents are more engaged in education. These initiatives typically hold students and parents to account for poor academic performance and/or poor attendance. Consequences range from the loss of the student's driving privileges to criminal penalties for parents who fail to send their children to school. This ECS StateNote examines states that have implemented policies relating to: No-Pass, No-Drive; No-Pass, No-Play; Learnfare; Compulsory age of 18; and Upper statutory age. (Michael Colasanti, Education Commission of the States, August 2007)...
Affordability In-state Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants MS Word PDF - As immigration to the United States increases, more and more students are entering the education pipeline. Many of these newly arrived students are undocumented, or “illegal” immigrants, and denied the full rights of American citizenship, including educational benefits such as in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. Some states have passed legislation that extends in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants, others have proposed laws that restrict the awarding of in-state tuition to these same immigrants. This ESC StateNote provides a summary of states that have passed or have considered legislation regarding tuition for undocumented immigrants. (Updated by Ashley Zaleski, Education Commission of the States, September 2007)...
Assessment Accommodations for English Language Learners in State Assessments PDF - ...
High School Level-Assessments: Purpose(s) of Exams MS Word PDF - This ECS StateNote indicates the purposes served by statewide assessments administered in grades 9-12. (Jennifer Dounay, Education Commission of the States)...
Attendance Compulsory School Age Requirements MS Word PDF - This ECS StateNote lists compulsory school attendance ages for each state. (Education Commission of the States, Updated July 2007)
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School Attendance Age Limits MS Word PDF - States have a variety of requirements for the attendance age of their students. “Free education,” also referred to as “statutory age,” refers to the ages in which a person must be admitted to a public school by law without charge. “Compulsory age” refers to the range of ages during which a resident of a state must attend school on a regular basis. While ten states have either not set a maximum age limit to which free education must be provided or have left that determination up to the local education agency, all states (including Washington, DC) have implemented minimum age limits and compulsory attendance ages into law. (Anthony De Souza and Michael Colasanti, Education Commission of the States, June 2007)...
Bilingual/ESL Accommodations for English Language Learners in State Assessments PDF - ...
Curriculum Entrepreneurial Education Laws in the States MS Word PDF - One of the great historical drivers of this nation's economic success is the entrepreneurial spirit of its people. States have sought to harness and nurture entrepreneurship in many ways, including in their public school and higher education systems. One tool states have used is enacting legislation addressing entrepreneurship, and this ECS StateNote examines such legislation in 18 states. (Kyle Zinth, Education Commission of the States, February 2007)...
Sex Education Laws in the States MS Word PDF - Laws concerning sex education vary significantly in their scope and type among the states. This ECS StateNote examines these laws in 38 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (Kyle Zinth, Education Commission of the States, February 2007)...
Economic/Workforce Development Entrepreneurial Education Laws in the States MS Word PDF - One of the great historical drivers of this nation's economic success is the entrepreneurial spirit of its people. States have sought to harness and nurture entrepreneurship in many ways, including in their public school and higher education systems. One tool states have used is enacting legislation addressing entrepreneurship, and this ECS StateNote examines such legislation in 18 states. (Kyle Zinth, Education Commission of the States, February 2007)...
Policies to Engage Postsecondary Education in State Economic Development MS Word PDF - Confronted with the challenge of developing more globally competitive regional economies, policymakers have taken a renewed interest in the role of postsecondary education in state economic development strategies. A review of recent legislation suggests that states are implementing policies and making investments in the following three mechanisms: (1) Collaborative research initiatives; (2) Workforce development programs; and (3) Economic development boards, commissions or councils. This ECS StateNote describes these three policy mechanisms, highlights noteworthy policies that have been enacted and looks at a sampling of state policies enacted since 2004. (Ashley Zaleski, Education Commission of the States, September 2007)...
Recent State STEM Initiatives MS Word PDF - The increasingly globalized economy means that the United States is facing more competition as other nations increase their skills in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, areas key to success in a high-tech world. Many state leaders, perceiving the importance of improved STEM education to their economies, have recently begun to take action. This ECS StateNote provides examples of action that 17 states have taken recently that explicitly include all of the STEM subjects in one initiative. (Kyle Zinth, Education Commission of the States, Updated March 2007)...
Facilities Comprehensive State Facility Programs MS Word PDF - In the 2005-06 school year $54.3 billion was spent on public school facilities in the United States and an additional $16.3 billion was spent on interest on the debt from previous school facilities projects. In most states the majority of funding for school facilities comes from the individual school districts – usually through local property tax levies. Fiscal studies have shown that funding systems that rely too greatly on local school district funding can result in a vast disparity in the quantity and quality of school facilities between high- and low-wealth school districts. This ECS StateNote examines comprehensive state facility programs, those which have increased funding levels and attempted to direct more funding toward low-income/low-property-wealth school districts. (Michael Griffith and Stephanie Fonda, Education Commission of the States, January 2007)...
Finance A Survey of Finance Adequacy Studies MS Word PDF - The purpose of school finance adequacy studies is to determine the cost of providing students with an "adequate education." As this ECS StateNote demonstrates, the definition of an adequate education can vary greatly from one study to the next. Included are summaries of 12 states' adequacy studies as well as explanations of the types of studies performed and the differences between them. (Michael Griffith, Education Commission of the States, May 2007)...
Comprehensive State Facility Programs MS Word PDF - In the 2005-06 school year $54.3 billion was spent on public school facilities in the United States and an additional $16.3 billion was spent on interest on the debt from previous school facilities projects. In most states the majority of funding for school facilities comes from the individual school districts – usually through local property tax levies. Fiscal studies have shown that funding systems that rely too greatly on local school district funding can result in a vast disparity in the quantity and quality of school facilities between high- and low-wealth school districts. This ECS StateNote examines comprehensive state facility programs, those which have increased funding levels and attempted to direct more funding toward low-income/low-property-wealth school districts. (Michael Griffith and Stephanie Fonda, Education Commission of the States, January 2007)...
Cost Per Day for Extended School Year MS Word PDF - Extending the school year has become a topic of interest to many states across the nation, and one of the first concerns any state looking to extend their school year must consider is the expenditure associated with extension of the school year. This ECS StateNote provides a rough estimate of what the cost-per-day for school operation can run in each state. (Stephanie Fonda, Education Commission of the States, January 2007)...
Governance Examples of Major Changes in State Boards of Education MS Word PDF - Education governance structures differ from state to state in ways that directly affect how state education policy leaders can act or interact. This ECS StateNote provides readers with examples of relatively recent state initiatives to address the powers and authority of state boards of education. (Michael Colasanti, Education Commission of the States, February 2007)...
Qualifications for Chief State School Officers MS Word PDF - State education governance structures follow a number of different models, all of which include a chief state school officer (CSSO). This ECS StateNote examines the qualififcations required for an individual to serve as a CSSO. Qualifications vary widely, including academic and professional experience, residency and moral character. (Michael Colasanti, Education Commission of the States, February 2007)...
High School Aligned to the Research: Science and Mathematics Graduation Requirements PDF - Recent years have seen much attention on mathematics and science education, and one of the most visible actions many states have taken is raising high school graduation requirements for the two subjects. This ECS StateNote examines recent research on what specific courses research finds predict a higher likelihood of success beyond high school, and provides a summary of each states' current graduation requirements in mathematics and science. (Kyle Zinth and Jennifer Dounay, Education Commission of the States, June 2007)...
High School Level-Assessments: Purpose(s) of Exams MS Word PDF - This ECS StateNote indicates the purposes served by statewide assessments administered in grades 9-12. (Jennifer Dounay, Education Commission of the States)...
Kindergarten Kindergarten Entrance Ages: 1975 and 1990 PDF - This archival ECS StateNote provides kindergarten entrance ages for all 50 states for the years 1975 and 1990. (Melodye Bush, Education Commission of the States, June 1991)...
Kindergarten Entrance Ages: A 30 Year Trend Analysis MS Word PDF - There has been a trend in the states over the last 30 years to establish a cutoff date earlier in the year for children entering kindergarten. This ECS StateNote examines the trend, providing changes for each state since 1975. (Michael Colasanti, Education Commission of the States, March 2007)...
Mathematics Aligned to the Research: Science and Mathematics Graduation Requirements PDF - Recent years have seen much attention on mathematics and science education, and one of the most visible actions many states have taken is raising high school graduation requirements for the two subjects. This ECS StateNote examines recent research on what specific courses research finds predict a higher likelihood of success beyond high school, and provides a summary of each states' current graduation requirements in mathematics and science. (Kyle Zinth and Jennifer Dounay, Education Commission of the States, June 2007)...
Minority/Diversity Issues In-state Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants MS Word PDF - As immigration to the United States increases, more and more students are entering the education pipeline. Many of these newly arrived students are undocumented, or “illegal” immigrants, and denied the full rights of American citizenship, including educational benefits such as in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. Some states have passed legislation that extends in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants, others have proposed laws that restrict the awarding of in-state tuition to these same immigrants. This ESC StateNote provides a summary of states that have passed or have considered legislation regarding tuition for undocumented immigrants. (Updated by Ashley Zaleski, Education Commission of the States, September 2007)...
No Child Left Behind Examples of State Monitoring and Evaluation of Supplemental Educational Service Providers MS Word PDF - NCLB requires schools receiving Title I funds and not making adequate yearly progress to implement various interventions, such as offering students the option to change schools and/or make available supplemental educational services (SES). States are responsible for oversight of SES providers and must use objective criteria for their evaluation and make public reports available on how provider quality is monitored. This ECS StateNote provides examples of action in three states with evaluation processes that resemble guidance from the U.S. Department of Education. (Michael Colasanti, Education Commission of the States, November 2007)...
State Equity Plans that Address Working Conditions as a Means to Increase Teacher Retention and Equitable Teacher Distribution PDF - NCLB requires that all teachers of core academic subjects be highly qualified. States are working diligently to achieve this goal, but are facing many obstacles. One of the largest challenges that states face is the issue of equitable distribution of experienced teachers. This ECS StateNote reports on transfer and attrition rates of teachers and the percentage of state equity plans that target teacher working conditions as a means to increase teacher retention and equitable distribution of teachers. (Angela Baber, Education Commission of the States, January 2007)...
Scheduling/School Calendar Cost Per Day for Extended School Year MS Word PDF - Extending the school year has become a topic of interest to many states across the nation, and one of the first concerns any state looking to extend their school year must consider is the expenditure associated with extension of the school year. This ECS StateNote provides a rough estimate of what the cost-per-day for school operation can run in each state. (Stephanie Fonda, Education Commission of the States, January 2007)...
What Cannot Count Toward Official Instructional Time? MS Word PDF - State policymakers typically set the minimum number of instructional days or hours (pupil-teacher contact days). However, fewer states explicitly address whether certain non-teaching activities that fall within the school day count toward that minimum number. This ECS StateNote presents a scan of state laws in search of such provisions. (Kathy Christie and Michael Colasanti, Education Commission of the States, October 2007)...
Science Aligned to the Research: Science and Mathematics Graduation Requirements PDF - Recent years have seen much attention on mathematics and science education, and one of the most visible actions many states have taken is raising high school graduation requirements for the two subjects. This ECS StateNote examines recent research on what specific courses research finds predict a higher likelihood of success beyond high school, and provides a summary of each states' current graduation requirements in mathematics and science. (Kyle Zinth and Jennifer Dounay, Education Commission of the States, June 2007)...
State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies Examples of Major Changes in State Boards of Education MS Word PDF - Education governance structures differ from state to state in ways that directly affect how state education policy leaders can act or interact. This ECS StateNote provides readers with examples of relatively recent state initiatives to address the powers and authority of state boards of education. (Michael Colasanti, Education Commission of the States, February 2007)...
Teaching Quality Induction Programs for New and Beginning Teachers PDF - Induction programs and mentoring for new and beginning teachers are on the rise in many states. Research indicates that novice teachers benefit from receiving orientation to their job and teaming up with veteran teachers and are, therefore, less likely to leave the teaching profession then those who receive no training or support. This ECS StateNote identifies which states have induction programs in place, the definition or components of the program and whether it is voluntary or required. (Jeanne Kaufmann, Education Commission of the States, December 2007)...
New and Beginning Teacher Mentoring PDF - Induction programs and mentoring for new and beginning teachers are on the rise in many states. Research indicates that novice teachers benefit from receiving orientation to their job and teaming up with veteran teachers and are, therefore, less likely to leave the teaching profession then those who receive no training or support. This ECS StateNote identifies which states have mentoring policies in place and includes information on the components of the program, requirements of mentors, compensation for mentors and whether the program is voluntary or required. (Jeanne Kaufmann, Education Commission of the States, December 2007)...
Recent State STEM Initiatives MS Word PDF - The increasingly globalized economy means that the United States is facing more competition as other nations increase their skills in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, areas key to success in a high-tech world. Many state leaders, perceiving the importance of improved STEM education to their economies, have recently begun to take action. This ECS StateNote provides examples of action that 17 states have taken recently that explicitly include all of the STEM subjects in one initiative. (Kyle Zinth, Education Commission of the States, Updated March 2007)...
State Equity Plans that Address Working Conditions as a Means to Increase Teacher Retention and Equitable Teacher Distribution PDF - NCLB requires that all teachers of core academic subjects be highly qualified. States are working diligently to achieve this goal, but are facing many obstacles. One of the largest challenges that states face is the issue of equitable distribution of experienced teachers. This ECS StateNote reports on transfer and attrition rates of teachers and the percentage of state equity plans that target teacher working conditions as a means to increase teacher retention and equitable distribution of teachers. (Angela Baber, Education Commission of the States, January 2007)...
State Induction Programs and Mentoring for New and Beginning Teachers PDF - Induction programs and mentoring for new and beginning teachers are on the rise in many states. Research indicates that novice teachers benefit from receiving orientation to their jobs and teaming up with veteran teachers and are, therefore, less likely to leave the teaching profession then those who receive no training or support. This ECS StateNote defines and delineates induction programs and mentoring and identifies which states have these policies in place. (Jeanne Kaufmann, Education Commission of the States, December 2007)...
Teacher Tenure/Continuing Contract Laws: Updated for 2007 MS Word PDF - Multistate compilations of teacher tenure/continuing contract provisions. (Education Commission of the States, August 2007)...
Tuition/Fees In-state Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants MS Word PDF - As immigration to the United States increases, more and more students are entering the education pipeline. Many of these newly arrived students are undocumented, or “illegal” immigrants, and denied the full rights of American citizenship, including educational benefits such as in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. Some states have passed legislation that extends in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants, others have proposed laws that restrict the awarding of in-state tuition to these same immigrants. This ESC StateNote provides a summary of states that have passed or have considered legislation regarding tuition for undocumented immigrants. (Updated by Ashley Zaleski, Education Commission of the States, September 2007)...
Unions/Collective Bargaining Teacher Tenure/Continuing Contract Laws: Updated for 2007 MS Word PDF - Multistate compilations of teacher tenure/continuing contract provisions. (Education Commission of the States, August 2007)...
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