ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2000 State Policies / Activities

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 enacted in 2000. 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. To view all, press the button located at the top labeled "Expand All."

Please cite use of the database as: Education Commission of the States (ECS) State Policy Database, retrieved [date].

State Status/Date Level Summary
+ Accountability
+ Accountability--Accreditation
+ Accountability--Measures/Indicators
+ Accountability--Reporting Results
+ Accountability--Rewards
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--No Pass No Drive
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--No Pass No Play
+ Adult Basic Education
+ Assessment
+ Assessment--Accommodations
+ Assessment--End-of-Course
+ Assessment--High Stakes/Competency
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol
+ Attendance
+ Attendance--Compulsory
+ Attendance--Truancy
+ Background Checks
+ Bilingual/ESL
+ Business Involvement
+ Career/Technical Education
+ Cheating
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Finance
+ Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment
+ Choice of Schools--Tax Credits
+ Choice of Schools--Vouchers
+ Civic Education
+ Civic Education--Character Education
+ Civic Education--Pledge of Allegiance
+ Class Size
+ Counseling/Guidance
+ Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Arts Education
+ Curriculum--Core Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Drivers Education
+ Curriculum--Environmental Education
+ Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed.
+ Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language
+ Curriculum--Geography Education
+ Curriculum--Health/Nutrition 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--Enrollments
+ Desegregation
+ Economic/Workforce Development
+ Equity
+ Finance
+ Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost
+ Finance--Bonds
+ Finance--District
+ Finance--Equity
+ Finance--Facilities
+ Finance--Funding Formulas
+ Finance--Litigation
+ Finance--Local Foundations/Funds
+ Finance--Lotteries
+ 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--School Boards
+ Governance--Site-Based Management
+ Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies
+ Health
+ Health--Mental Health
+ Health--School Based Clinics or School Nurses
+ Health--Teen Pregnancy
+ High School
+ High School--Advanced Placement
+ High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment
+ High School--Exit Exams
+ High School--Graduation Requirements
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ Instructional Approaches--Official English
+ Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
+ Leadership
+ Leadership--District Superintendent
+ 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--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--Assessment
+ Online Learning--Digital/Blended Learning
+ Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses
+ P-16 or P-20
+ P-3
+ P-3 Child Care
+ P-3 Early Intervention (0-3)
+ P-3 Ensuring Quality
+ 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 Preschool
+ P-3 Teaching Quality/Professional Development
+ Parent/Family
+ Parent/Family--Parent Rights
+ Postsecondary
+ Postsecondary Accountability
+ Postsecondary Accountability--Accreditation
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans
+ Postsecondary Faculty
+ Postsecondary Finance
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures--Administrative/Leadership Issues
+ Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges
+ Postsecondary Institutions--For-Profit/Proprietary
+ Postsecondary Online Instruction
+ Postsecondary Participation--Access
+ Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements
+ Postsecondary Participation--Outreach
+ Postsecondary Students--Disabled
+ Postsecondary Success--Completion
+ Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation
+ Private Schools
+ Privatization
+ Promising Practices
+ Promotion/Retention
+ Public Involvement
+ Reading/Literacy
+ Religion
+ Remediation (K-12)
+ Scheduling/School Calendar
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Day/Class Length
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Summer School
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Year
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Year Round
+ School Safety
+ School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution
+ School Safety--Code of Conduct
+ School Safety--Corporal Punishment
+ School Safety--Expulsion/Suspension
+ School Safety--Sexual Harassment and Assault
+ 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--Personnel (Non-Teaching)
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation
+ Service-Learning
+ Social/Emotional Learning and Non-Cognitive Skills
- Special Education
NYVetoed 12/2000P-12Instructional Materials in Alternative Formats
S.B. 7884
Develops a plan to ensure that every student in a school district with a disability who needs instructional materials in alternative formats receives such materials at the same time that the materials are available in regular format to non-disabled students....

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CAVetoed 09/2000P-12
Postsec.
Braille Reading Material
A.B. 609
Requires instruction in braille to be provided to each pupil who is functionally blind unless the individualized education program team determines that braille instruction is not appropriate based upon the assessments....

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CASigned into law 09/2000P-12Counseling for Deaf and Hearing-Impaired
A.B. 707
Makes existing provisions which require the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to issue a 2-year services credential with a specialization in pupil personnel services applicable to a prelingual deaf person with a 2-year services credential with a specializati...

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CASigned into law 09/2000P-12Special Education and Due Process Hearings
A.B. 2321
Relates to Special Education. Requires, subject to an appropriation for those purposes in the annual Budget Act or any other measures, the State Department of Education to select and allocate funds to 3 special education local plans areas to implement a 3 year...

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CAVetoed 09/2000P-12Developmentally Disabled Students and Policymaking.
S.B. 1792
Requires the organization of Area Boards establish the Partners in Policymaking Program by July 15, 2001. The purpose of the program would be to provide information, resources, training, and education on the policymaking process to persons with developmental d...

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CAVetoed 09/2000P-12Assessment of Special Education Students
A.B. 1940
Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop, and the State Board of Education to adopt, performance goals for individuals with exceptional needs; requires individuals with exceptional needs to be included in general statewide and districtwide ...

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CASigned into law 08/2000P-12Updating Regulations for Special Education Students
S.B. 1549
Requires the State Department of Education to review and make recommendations to the state board regarding any needed updates to regulations concerning the assistance of individuals with exceptional needs by qualified health and school personnel on or before J...

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NYSigned into law 08/2000P-12Curriculum Materials Made Available
A.B. 3597
Makes available to all elementary schools in the state suitable curriculum materials to aid in the instruction of pupils in the understanding and acceptance of children with disabilities....

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NYSigned into law 08/2000P-12Services to Visually Impaired
S.B. 4515
Makes provision with respect to providing appropriate educational services to students who are visually impaired including using instructional materials in literary and non-literary subjects such as computer science and mathematics which have been translated t...

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AZApproved by voters 07/2000P-12Disabled Students
V. 2
PROPOSITION 101 (HCR 2004) Revises the textual terminology in the State Constitution of Arizona, relating to voter qualification/disqualification; voting residency of federal employees and others; property tax exemption for the disabled; public school educatio...

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CASigned into law 07/2000P-12
A.B. 2453
Chapter No. 67; Authorizes foster family agencies, with jurisdiction over currently enrolled or former pupils, to access records of grades and transcripts, and individualized education plans maintained by school districts or private schools of those pupils....

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CASigned into law 07/2000P-12Charter Schools dealing with Special Ed. Students
S.B. 1914
Chapter No. 88; Prohibits the denial of a petition for the establishment of a charter school based on the actual or potential costs of serving individuals with exceptional needs. Clarifies that this prohibition shall not be construed to prevent a school distri...

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RIBecame law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2000Postsec.transition of students with disabilities
H.B. 7466
Amends the composition of the Transition Council by adding a representative from one of the regional education collaboratives.Transition from school to self-sufficient adulthood for students with disabilities...

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RIBecame law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2000P-12
Postsec.
Transition Council Membership
S.B. 2389
Relates to education; pertains to children with disabilities; amends the composition of the Transition Council by adding a representative from one of the regional education collaboratives....

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FLSigned into law 06/2000P-12Blind Babies Program
S.B. 924
, Relates to children; creates a Blind Babies Program; provides for early-intervention education for certain children who are blind or visually impaired and for their parents, families, and caregivers....

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HIVetoed 06/2000P-12Creates Autism Center
S.B. 2448
Establishes the Hawaii Autism Center of Excellence within the University of Hawaii....

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ILPassed 06/2000P-12Certification of Special Education Teachers
SJR 61
Directs the state board to refrain from implementing any new system for the certification of special education teachers until January 1, 2001....

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ILSigned into law 06/2000P-12Changes in Special Education
S.B. 1447
Public Act No. 91-784., Provides that the provision (Article of the School Code) requiring the assignment of a surrogate parent for educational matters does not apply to a child who resides with a foster parent; allows the surrogate parent to be assigned for e...

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NYSigned into law 06/2000P-12Payments to Medical Centers for Serving Preschool Students with Handicaps
S.B. 6735
Authorizes medical assistance payments to certain clinics or diagnostic and treatment centers for services they render to preschool children with disabilities....

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TNSigned into law 06/2000P-12Assessing Students with Disabilities
H.J.R. 589
Urges Department of Education to modify and revise portfolio assessment piloted for evaluating students with disabilities who do not participate in statewide assessment....

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COSigned into law 05/2000P-12State Funding for Special Education
S.B. 49
Provides that state funding of special education programs for children with disabilities be increased so that, by the 2005-06 fiscal year, the state will be funding not less than 80% of the total cost of providing such programs statewide. Makes legislative fin...

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CTSigned into law 05/2000P-12Establishes Braille Literacy Advisory Council
H.B. 5531
Establishes a Braille Literacy Advisory Council to review braille literacy and assess availability of services to school children, collect data on frequency with which an individualized education plan contains a recommendation or determination that an impaired...

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CTSigned into law 05/2000P-12Surrogate Parents
H.B. 5316
Expands responsibilities of surrogate parents appointed by Education Commissioner to represent children who may require special education in the absence of their real parents; monitors success; requires local school boards to notify said parents of discipline ...

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MESigned into law 05/2000P-12Modification of Oversight of School for the Deaf
H.B. 1946
Public Law No. 775, (LD 2690); Changes the governance system and the educational programs of the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf; amends the structure of the school board; relates to funding the programs authorized by the school; permits the school board g...

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MISigned into law 05/2000P-12Visually Impaired Pupils
S.B. 658
Public Act 129, Relates to special education; regards visually impaired pupils; provides for braille literacy provisions for visually impaired pupils; names section as "Blind Pupil's Braille Literacy Law"; provides definitions....

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MNSigned by governor 05/2000P-12
H.B. 3800
Creates an exception to a provision in MS 125A.15 which generally makes the nonresident district in which the child is placed responsible for providing an appropriate education and necessary transportation to a disabled child who is temporarily placed in a res...

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MNSigned by governor 05/2000P-12Special Education Excess Cost Aid
H.B. 3800
Decreases a district's threshold to qualify for excess cost aid from 4.4 percent to 4.36 percent of general education revenue, beginning in FY 2001. Increase the appropriation for excess cost aid from $60,498,000 to $66,032,000 in fiscal year 2000 and from $79...

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VTSigned into law 05/2000P-12Special Education
H.B. 629
Clarifies the definition of special education services; permits the cost of special education services to be a factor in considering how to provide appropriate services; provides for teacher training; provides for individual education plans; provides for state...

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WISigned into law 05/2000P-12Eligible Ages for Special Education
A.B. 394
Relates to the eligible ages for special education; provides that an individual with a disability must be between the ages of three and 21 years of age to be eligible for free appropriate public education....

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WISigned into law 05/2000P-12Modifies Definition of Parent
A.B. 412
Parent" means any of the following: biological parent; husband who has consented to the artificial insemination of his wife; male who is presumed to be the child's father under section 891.41; male who has been adjudicated as the child's father by final order ...

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AZSigned into law 04/2000P-12Special Education Changes
H.B. 2359
Relates to special education; makes numerous changes to the statutes relating to special education; defines the term foster parent; modifies various terms; lowers the age of a child with a disability; removes the definition of handicapped child and replaces it...

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LASigned into law 04/2000P-12Assistive Techology
S.B. 87A
Specifies that local educational agencies are not responsible for replacing or repairing lost, stolen, or misused assistive technology devices provided to children with disabilities or their parents or guardians....

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MDSigned into law 04/2000P-12Advisory Council on ADHD
S.B. 742
Establishes an Advisory Council on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; provides for the membership, chairman, and staff of the advisory council; requires the advisory council to study and take specified actions regarding attention deficit hyperactivity d...

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MESigned into law 04/2000P-12Legal Action
H.B. 1135
(LD 1620)Allows any person who was a student at the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf between 1974 and 1998 to bring an action against the school notwithstanding any provision of the law limiting the time period for which an action may be commenced or concer...

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MESigned into law 04/2000P-12Emotional Disability
H.B. 1858
Public Law No. 721., (LD 2593)Extends the use of emotional disability as an identifying factor in the identification of exceptional children; directs the Department of Education to study the impact of the use of emotional and behavioral indicators and the like...

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MSSigned into law 04/2000P-12Recognition for Full Inclusion
S.B. 2745
Direct the State Department of Education to provide an annual recognition program for schools for providing full inclusion of children with disabilities in all aspects of academic and extracurricular activities....

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NESigned into law 04/2000P-12Special Education Finance
L.B. 1243
This bill clarifies several aspects of how students, spacificly Special Ed. students, are to be treated in the state. It clarifies that special ed. students are "children from birth to the age twenty-one years". The bill also clarifies that schools are requi...

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NEVetoed 04/2000P-12
L.B. 1401
Changes provisions relating to budgets, beginner grade entrance document requirements, the enrollment option program, reorganization plan hearings, report filing dates, warrants, expenditure limitations, state aid, temporary mitigation funds, the Hardship Fund...

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NHSigned into law 04/2000P-12Education for the Deaf
H.B. 1283
Establishes a commission on the education of the deaf to study issues related to the status of education and support services for the deaf in the State; establishes a sunset date for the commission....

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GASigned into law 03/2000P-12Omnibus Bill - Special Eduation Class Size Component
H.B. 1187
The new class sizes are funded as follows:
Category I Special Education - 1:8
Category II Special Education - 1:6.5
Category III Special Education - 1:5
Category IV Special Education - 1:3
Category V Special Education - 1:8...

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GASigned into law 03/2000P-12Special Education, Alternative Education
H.B. 114
Relates to elementary and secondary education; changes certain provisions regarding special instructional assistance programs for students with developmental deficiencies; provides for the application of mandatory education requirements to children between age...

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GASigned into law 03/2000P-12Omnibus Bill - Early Intervention and Special Education Students
H.B. 1187
There is created an Early Intervention Program in kindergarten and a Primary Grades Early Intervention Program in grades 1-3. These programs are for students performing below grade level. Special education students are eligible for this program, but may only b...

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ILAdopted 03/2000P-12New Special Education Teacher Certification Rules

Beginning January 1, 2003 the state of Illinois will have a new system for certifying Special Education teachers. Teachers will have to be certified as a Learning and Behavior Specialist I (entry level) or Learning and Behavior Specialist II (advanced study a...

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MDSigned into law 03/2000P-12Ages Eligible for Special Education
H.B. 552
Extends the time through which a child is eligible for special education and related services to the end of the school year in which the child turns 21 years of age; requires special education and related services regulations of the State Board of Education to...

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SDSigned into law 03/2000P-12Special Education
H.B. 1058
The legislation deals with the transfer of a special education student from a resident district to a nonresident district. Under previous law the resident district was held responsible for the students education, under the new law the nonresident district bec...

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SDSigned into law 03/2000P-12Special Education Funding
S.B. 23
Allows certain children to be included as a level 2, 3, 4, or 5 disability for the purpose of calculating special education state aid....

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UTSigned into law 03/2000P-12Assistive Technology Purchases
S.B. 131
Relates to individuals with disabilities; provides a specified appropriation to the State Office of Rehabilitation to purchase assistive technology devices and services under rules made by the State Board of Education....

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UTSigned into law 03/2000P-12Special Education
H.B. 146
Relates to public schools; modifies special education definitions and rules to be adopted by the State Board of Education; modifies provisions regarding participation of students with a disability in extracurricular activities; modifies the process by which di...

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KYSigned into law 02/2000P-12Early Childhood Special Education
H.B. 51
Relates to the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; provides that rights for infants, toddlers, and parents served by the State Early Intervention System are mandated by participation in Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act...

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+ Special Education--Federal Law/Regulations
+ Special Education--Finance
+ Special Education--Inclusion (Mainstreaming)
+ Special Education--Placement
+ Special Education--Transition
+ Special Populations--Corrections Education
+ Special Populations--Gifted and Talented
+ Special Populations--Homeless Education
+ Standards
+ Standards--Implementation
+ State Longitudinal Data Systems
+ State Policymaking
+ State Policymaking--Politics
+ State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions
+ Student Achievement
+ Students
+ Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities
+ Students--Records/Rights
+ Teaching Quality
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Alternative
+ 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--Teacher Rights
+ Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract
+ Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining
+ Technology
+ Technology--Computer Skills
+ Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware
+ Technology--Equitable Access
+ Technology--Funding Issues
+ Technology--Internet Safety
+ Technology--Teacher/Faculty Training
+ Textbooks and Open Source
+ Urban