Education Commission of the States • 700 Broadway, Suite 810 • Denver, CO 80203-3442 • 303.299.3600 • Fax: 303.296.8332 • www.ecs.org
P-16/P-20 Councils: Made Permanent by Executive Order or Statute

Councils have been established by executive order in 11 states, by statute in 10 states, and through voluntary agreements in 14 states. In two states (Delaware and Louisiana), councils were established by executive order and later codified through legislation. In Montana and Utah, councils were created by a board of education resolution.

It should be noted that in many states, an executive order or legislation has either made permanent or reconstituted a council initially created through a voluntary agreement. This database indicates the method of creation of the current P-16 or P-20 council in each state.

Why does it matter?

  • Policy matters. ECS believes that policy helps institutionalize practice.
  • Our goal is to document where the underlying authority lies, and where consensus has been strong enough to adopt a common approach.

Sources for all data points are accessible through this link.

Methodology: ECS performed an initial search of statutes, regulations and executive orders. However, because many P-16 and P-20 councils are established independently of these means, ECS conducted interviews with and had all data verified by at least one contact in the state (typically a P-16 or P-20 council member or staff member supporting the council).

Last update: May 28, 2008

This database was compiled by Jennifer Dounay, project manager, ECS High School Policy Center. For questions, additions or corrections: 303.299.3689 or jdounay@ecs.org.

Made permanent by executive order or statute
Arizona
  • Yes—executive order
    		•
    Arkansas
  • Yes—statute
    		•
    California
  • No—informally established
    		•
    Colorado
  • Yes—executive order
    		•
    Connecticut
  • No—informally established
    		•
    Delaware
  • Yes—executive order
    Notes/Citation: While the council was initially created by executive order in 2003, 2005 legislation established the council in statute.
    		•
    Georgia
  • No—informally established
    		•
    Hawaii
  • No—informally established
    		•
    Illinois
  • Yes—statute
    		•
    Indiana
  • Yes—statute
    		•
    Kansas
  • Yes—executive order
    		•
    Kentucky
  • No—informally established
    		•
    Louisiana
  • Yes—statute
    Notes/Citation: The High School Redesign Commission began meeting on a voluntary basis in 1994, was established by executive order in 1999, and was established in statute in 2005.
  • No—informally established
    Notes/Citation: The Blue Ribbon Commission for Educational Excellence is a voluntary partnership.
    		•
    Maine
  • Yes—executive order
    		•
    Maryland
  • Yes—executive order
    		•
    Minnesota
  • No—informally established
    		•
    Mississippi
  • No—informally established
    		•
    Missouri
  • Yes—statute
    		•
    Montana
  • Yes—board of education resolution
    		•
    Nebraska
  • No—informally established
    		•
    Nevada
  • Yes—statute
    		•
    New Hampshire
  • Yes—executive order
    		•
    North Carolina
  • Yes—statute
    		•
    Ohio
  • Yes—statute
    		•
    Oklahoma
  • Yes—statute
    		•
    Oregon
  • Yes—statute
    		•
    Pennsylvania
  • No—informally established
    		•
    Rhode Island
  • Yes—executive order
    		•
    South Carolina
  • Yes—statute
    		•
    South Dakota
  • No—informally established
    		•
    Tennessee
  • No—informally established
    		•
    Texas
  • Yes—statute
    		•
    Utah
  • Yes—board of education resolution
    		•
    Virginia
  • Yes—executive order
    Notes/Citation: The current executive order is set to expire this July 2008. However, a new executive order will be established and there is an intention to introduce legislation to codify the council in the 2009 General Assembly session.
    • Washington
  • Yes—executive order
    		•
    West Virginia
  • Yes—executive order
    		•
    Wisconsin
  • No—informally established
    		•
    Wyoming
  • No—informally established
    		•


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